Raman spectroscopy has become a standard tool for identification of hazardous materials by first responders. However, despite many advantages of this technique, it has also a limitation, which is low sensitivity. This limitation could be overcome by Surfaced Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy, technique which still waits for real-world applications. In this paper, we present an overview of both methods, Raman and SERS spectroscopies, and examples of their uses for detection and identification of biological, chemical and explosive materials.

In the past few decades, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been evolving as a powerful analytical technique for the detection of a wide of chemical and biological molecules. The technique can reach a sensitivity of single molecule detection, which triggered plenty of ongoing research. In addition, technological advancements in photonics and nanoscience have resulted in the advent of portable and handheld Raman systems. These devices help SERS analysis move from expensive heavy-equipped research labs to low cost field deployable-research. The development of efficient SERS substrates that can provide signal enhancement by many orders of magnitude is a core component for SERS. The SERS substrates market and research are generally dominated by rigid solid substrates that are fabricated mostly by micro/nanofabrication techniques. Although these methods can provide reproducible substrates, they suffer from usability constraints because of their high cost of fabrication.

Phages have certain features, such as their ability to form protein–protein interactions, that make them good candidates for use in a variety of beneficial applications, such as in human or animal health, industry, food science, food safety, and agriculture. It is essential to identify and characterize the proteins produced by particular phages in order to use these viruses in a variety of functional processes, such as bacterial detection, as vehicles for drug delivery, in vaccine development, and to combat multidrug resistant bacterial infections. Furthermore, phages can also play a major role in the design of a variety of cheap and stable sensors as well as in diagnostic assays that can either specifically identify specific compounds or detect bacteria. This article reviews recently developed phage-based techniques, such as the use of recombinant tempered phages, phage display and phage amplification-based detection. It also encompasses the application of phages as capture elements, biosensors and bioreceptors, with a special emphasis on novel bacteriophage-based mass spectrometry (MS) applications.

This article reviews the most recent advances in the development of flexible substrates used as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platforms for detecting several hazardous materials (e.g., explosives, pesticides, drugs, and dyes). Different flexible platforms such as papers/filter papers, fabrics, polymer nanofibers, and cellulose fibers have been investigated over the last few years and their SERS efficacies have been evaluated. We start with an introduction of the importance of hazardous materials trace detection followed by a summary of different SERS methodologies with particular attention on flexible substrates and their advantages over the nanostructures and nanoparticle-based solid/hybrid substrates. The potential of flexible SERS substrates, in conjunction with a simple portable Raman spectrometer, is the power to enable practical/on-field/point of interest applications primarily because of their low-cost and easy sampling.

We report results from our extensive studies on the fabrication of ultra-thin, flexible, and cost-effective Ag nanoparticle (NP) coated free-standing porous silicon (FS-pSi) for superior molecular sensing. The FS-pSi has been prepared by adopting a simple wet-etching method. The deposition time of AgNO3 has been increased to improve the number of hot-spot regions, thereby the sensing abilities are improved efficiently. FESEM images illustrated the morphology of uniformly distributed AgNPs on the pSi surface. Initially, a dye molecule [methylene blue (MB)] was used as a probe to evaluate the sensing capabilities of the substrate using the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique. The detection was later extended towards the sensing of two important explosive molecules [ammonium nitrate (AN), picric acid (PA)], and a pesticide molecule (thiram) clearly demonstrating the versatility of the investigated substrates. The sensitivity was confirmed by estimating the analytical enhancement factor (AEF), which was ∼107 for MB and ∼104 for explosives and pesticides. We have also evaluated the limit of detection (LOD) values in each case, which were found to be 50 nM, 1 µM, 2 µM, and 1 µM, respectively, for MB, PA, AN, and thiram. Undeniably, our detailed SERS results established excellent reproducibility with a low RSD (relative standard deviation). Furthermore, we also demonstrate the reasonable stability of AgNPs decorated pSi by inspecting and studying their SERS performance over a period of 90 days. The overall cost of these substrates is attractive for practical applications on account of the above-mentioned superior qualities.

We report a chip based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) developed towards malaria field diagnosis. Only a mixture of 10-μl water and 10-μl blood is required as the sample input to the chip. Water is the only lysing agent to hemolyze blood cells while keeping the malaria biomarkers, hemozoin biocrystals, at locally high concentrations within parasites and/or their vacuoles. Then, SERS-active silver nanoparticles are synthesized on site near hemozoin in these concentrated regions when the blood/water mixture flows through and dissolves dried chemical patches that are earlier deposited inside the channel, which subsequently arrives at the detection region for SERS measurements. It should be highlighted that the procedure can be accomplished without a laboratory requirement and the risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals. Additionally, raw chemicals deposited inside the chip are chemically more stable than those readymade SERS substrates, thus the shelf life of the chip can be much longer. Furthermore, the chip yields analytical enhancement factor values ranging from 5.4 × 103 to 1.9 × 106 that are comparable to other ready-made SERS substrates in the literature. This strategy is capable of quantifying hemozoin concentrations in malaria infected human blood with a root-mean-square error of prediction of 0.3 μM, and a detection limit of 0.0025 % parasitemia level for parasites in the ring stage (equivalent to 125 parasites/μl) with a room of extra enhancement by switching the laser to a more suitable wavelength. These results show the feasibility to exploit this cost-effective yet highly sensitive SERS-based technique for malaria field diagnosis.

Plasmonics has drawn significant attention in the area of biosensors for decades due to the unique optical properties of plasmonic resonant nanostructures. While the sensitivity and specificity of molecular detection relies significantly on the resonance conditions, significant attention has been dedicated to the design, fabrication, and optimization of plasmonic substrates. The adequate choice of materials, structures, and functionality goes hand in hand with a fundamental understanding of plasmonics to enable the development of practical biosensors that can be deployed in real life situations. Here we provide a brief review of plasmonic biosensors detailing most recent developments and applications. Besides metals, novel plasmonic materials such as graphene are highlighted. Sensors based on Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR), and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) are presented and classified based on their materials and structure. In addition, most recent applications to environment monitoring, health diagnosis, and food safety are presented. Potential problems related to the implementation in such applications are discussed and an outlook is presented.

The introduction of N doping atoms in the carbon network of Carbon Dots is known to increase their quantum yield and broaden the emission spectrum, depending on the kind of N bonding introduced. N doping is usually achieved by exploiting amine molecules in the synthesis. In this work, we studied the possibility of introducing a N–N bonding in the carbon network by means of hydrothermal synthesis of citric acid and hydrazine molecules, including hydrated hydrazine, di-methylhydrazine and phenylhydrazine. The experimental optical features show the typical fingerprints of Carbon Dots formation, such as nanometric size, excitation dependent emission, non-single exponential decay of photoluminescence and G and D vibrational bands in the Raman spectra. To explain the reported data, we performed a detailed computational investigation of the possible products of the synthesis, comparing the simulated absorbance spectra with the experimental optical excitation pattern. The computed Raman spectra corroborate the hypothesis of the formation of pyridinone derivatives, among which the formation of small polymeric chains allowed the broad excitation spectra to be experimentally observed.

Bacteria will likely become our most significant enemies of the 21st century, as we are approaching a post-antibiotic era. Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, allow us to fight infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria and create specific, cheap, and stable sensors for bacteria detection. Here, we summarize the recent developments in the field of phage-based methods for bacteria detection. We focus on works published after mid-2017. We underline the need for further advancements, especially related to lowering the detection (below 1 CFU/mL; CFU stands for colony forming units) and shortening the time of analysis (below one hour). From the application point of view, portable, cheap, and fast devices are needed, even at the expense of sensitivity.

Surface enhanced raman scattering (SERS) technique has been widely implemented for the detection/quantification of numerous compounds. The development of reusable SERS substrates through regeneration is a constant concern of scientists in the field, related to the sustainability of the method. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is an advantageous green method well-known for its effectiveness towards the successful degradation of organic molecules and materials’ activation/modification. In the present study, we explored for the first time nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (NSP-DBD) plasma as a rapid, energy efficient method for SERS solid substrates regeneration, implemented either directly in the gas or in the liquid phase as well as through immersion of the substrates in plasma activated water (PAW). We investigated the critical cold plasma factors (e.g. feeding gas, plasma treatment and retention time) in order to propose the most cost-effective alternative and shed light on the underlying regeneration mechanisms. The different SERS analysis case scenarios (analyte’s class , concentration andcross check) were considered, in order to simulate real SERS measurements conditions/requirements. In practical terms, such an approach will contribute to a significant reduction of the detection costs, revealing the NSP-DBD process as a flexible, fast, green, effective and low-cost solution towards the SERS substrates regeneration.

Natural dyes pose problems concerning their non-invasive identification in artefacts when most of the techniques usually employed for “in-situ” analysis of coloring materials are used. Nowadays, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is currently employed to recognise dyes extracted from textiles, as well as applied to extractionless analysis directly on fibers. Nevertheless, there is still a demand for a method based on SERS suitable for the “in-situ” identification of the dyes on intact fabrics in museums. The enhancement of the Raman scattering in SERS is due to two different mechanism, an electromagnetic and a chemical one. The former contributes to the SERS intensification in an order of magnitude of 1010, while the latter of 102. Therefore, in principle, the SERS enhancement can be observed also in absence of a chemisorption and thus, a dry-state analysis leading to a completely non-invasive approach should be possible. In this context, we are studying the possibility of using thin films obtained by deposition of silver colloids on an optically transparent support, i.e. a glass slide, to prepare in an easy way SERS probes suitable for “in situ” analysis by means of portable Raman instrumentation. Silver nanospheres obtained by different methods [2,3] or, alternatively, silver nanostars [4] were deposited on glass slides functionalised with (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane, to promote the adherence and prevent the so-called “coffee ring” effect. The films were tested for the identification of anthraquinonic dyes by a portable Raman micro-probe in mock-up samples of dyed textile fibres. The possibility of embedding the nanoparticles into a polymeric matrix will be also considered to ensure higher stability and a lower impact on the examined object. Finally, we exploited for the first time, at least to the best of our knowledge, commercial electrochemically-deposited substrates (SERSitive) to observe dry-state SERS, obtaining positive results that encourage in perspective to experiment the electrochemical path to produce suitable substrates for our purposes.

Detection and estimation of various biomolecular samples are often required in research and clinical laboratory applications. Present work demonstrates the functioning of a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate that has been obtained by drop-casting of citrate-reduced gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of average dimension of 23 nm on a bare blu-ray digital versatile disc (BR-DVD) substrate. The performance of the proposed SERS substrate has been initially evaluated with standard Raman active samples, namely malachite green (MG) and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (BPE). The designed SERS substrate yields an average enhancement factor of 3.2 106 while maintaining reproducibility characteristics as good as 94% over the sensing region of the substrate. The usability of the designed SERS substrate has been demonstrated through the detection and analysis of purified rotavirus double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) samples in the laboratory environment condition. Rotavirus RNA concentrations as low as 10 ng/μL could be detected with the proposed sensing scheme.

Epinephrine is a naturally occurring Catecholamine neurotransmitter, playing a key role in the fight-orflight response in the body. Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is regarded as an ideal detection technique due to its specificity and sensitivity. Here, we report the experimental SERS detection of Epinephrine solution down to 10 μM using a simple, inexpensive A4-paper-based substrate coated with silver nanoparticles. We also perform Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations of the Epinephrine molecule in the presence of small silver clusters Agn (n = 1-4) to understand the chemical interactions between the molecule and the clusters. It is observed that there are two different minima for the Epinephrine-Ag4 complexes; one of these shows an increase in the calculated Raman activity, and the other shows an increase in the stability, with increasing number of atoms in the silver cluster. These observations are further investigated and explained through the calculation of the interaction energies, reactivity parameters, electrostatic properties and Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis.

Insulin is a peptide hormone produced by beta cells of pancreatic islets. In type 1 diabetes mellitus, these islets are destroyed by the body’s own immune system, no insulin is produced and the blood glucose level is increased. Nowadays, efforts in combatting type 1 diabetes focus on the transplantation of islets immunoprotected in microspheres made of non-covalently crosslinked hydrogels. The functionality of the encapsulated islets is retained, while the hydrogel matrix allows permeation of the produced insulin into the bloodstream. The applicability of these microspheres has been extensively studied in vivo. However, prior to biological models, a dynamic detection method to monitor the production of insulin and its diffusion through the microspheres is still missing. Herein, we apply the Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) technique to detect physiologically relevant concentrations of insulin using planar Ag SERS substrates, while considering their implementation for monitoring insulin diffusion through alginate matrices. Insulin was detected after drying SERS planar substrates in a concentration range of 10-3- 10-12 M. Additionally, we demonstrated the decrease in the deposition time using an alternating electric field. Moreover, the in situ monitoring of the SERS signal from insulin molecules has certain limitations when conducting experiments for SERS substrates submerged in water. As the secretion of insulin and its diffusion across the immunoprotective microspheres is a dynamic process, the development of an adequate detection method is expected to lead to a better understanding of these processes as a function of time, matrix composition, and glucose intake.

Using nanosized metal substrates, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a tool for improving the Raman signal of biomolecules. For detection, SERS has gained much popularity and an important role in determining chemical composition. In the present study, SERS spectra of 2-methyl-4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-10H-thieno[2,3-b][1,5]benzodiazepine (olanzapine) (MPTB) were investigated on silver and silver-gold metal substrates (SERSitive, Warsaw, Poland) at different concentrations. Also, different chemical and electronic properties are investigated using DFT calculations. The ring and other functional modes in SERS change in frequency values with variations in intensity for all concentrations. The molecule is oriented in a tilted manner with respect to Ag and Ag-Au.

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a spectroscopic technique for trace analysis where the efficiency depends on the substrate. In the present work, concentration-dependent SERS of pioglitazone (EPMT) in silver and silver-gold substrates are reported. The presence and absence of different SERS peaks between the analyte spectra on silver and silver-gold substrates show that there is an orientation change of the analyte adsorbed depending on the surface-active metal. The density functional theory (DFT) method was used to verify the experimental findings obtained from normal Raman and SERS spectra. Theoretical modeling of EPMT and metal clusters are reported and enhancement factors are found from theoretical and experimental results. In the EPMT-Ag-Ag and EPMT-Ag-Au molecular systems, Frontier molecular orbital’s (FMO’s) results highlight charge transfers from Ag-Ag/Ag-Au clusters to the molecule. Furthermore, the SERS enhancement factor values show that EPMT is chemisorbed.

The molecular model is one of the most appealing to explain the peculiar optical properties of Carbon nanodots (CNDs) and was proven to be successful for the bottom up synthesis, where a few molecules were recognized. Among the others, citrazinic acid is relevant for the synthesis of citric acid-based CNDs. Here we report a combined experimental and computational approach to discuss the formation of different protonated and deprotonated species of citrazinic acid and their contribution to vibrational and magnetic spectra. By computing the free energy formation in water solution, we selected the most favoured species and we retrieved their presence in the experimental surface enhanced Raman spectra. As well, the chemical shifts are discussed in terms of tautomers and rotamers of most favoured species. The expected formation of protonated and de-protonated citrazinic acid ions under extreme pH conditions was proven by evaluating specific interactions with H2SO4 and NaOH molecules. The reported results confirm that the presence of citrazinic acid and its ionic forms should be considered in the interpretation of the spectroscopic features of CNDs.

The molecular emission model is the most accredited one to explain the emission properties of carbon dots (CDs) in a low-temperature bottom-up synthesis approach. In the case of citric acid and urea, the formation of a citrazinic acid (CZA) single monomer and oligomers is expected to affect the optical properties of the CDs. It is therefore mandatory to elucidate the possible role of weak bonding interactions in determining the UV absorption spectrum of some molecular aggregates of CZA. Although this carboxylic acid is largely exploited in the synthesis of luminescent CDs, a full understanding of its role in determining the final emission spectra of the produced CDs is still very far to be achieved. To this aim, by relying on purely first-principles density functional theory calculations combined with experimental optical characterization, we built and checked the stability of some molecular aggregates, which could possibly arise from the formation of oligomers of CZA, mainly dimers, trimers, and some selected tetramers. The computed vibrational fingerprint of the formation of aggregates is confirmed by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The comparison of experimental data with calculated UV absorption spectra showed a clear impact of the final morphology of the aggregates on the position of the main peaks in the UV spectra, with particular regard to the 340 nm peak associated with n-π* transition.

Raman spectroscopy has become an essential analytical technique for field detection and identification of illicit or dangerous materials such as explosives, but its main drawback is low signal intensity. This problem can be circumvented by using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), in which scattering signals increase significantly for analytes adsorbed onto or near nano structured surfaces of the plasmonic materials. However,despite numerous studies, SERS has still not been widely used in real-world applications. The main goal of the studies describe herein was to investigate the possibility of detection of trace amounts of selected explosive materials on various commercial and non-commercial SERS substrates using portable Raman instruments. Our studies have shown that while portable systems suitable for SERS measurement of trace amounts of explosives are readily available, the problem remains in the selection of reliable and reproducible SERS substrates. Among five investigated SERS substrates only two, Klarite 312 and GaN-pillars allowed for trace analysis of all studied explosive materials. In both cases, detected concentrations of explosives ranged from single to hundreds of μg/cm2 depending on the explosive material and the Raman spectrometer used. Based on our findings, it could be concluded that the best SERS substrates for trace analysis of explosives are substrates with hot spots densely and evenly distributed over a whole active area of SERS substrate

Over the last decade several research groups have accomplished the fabrication of 2D periodic and 3D nanocage like structures on different materials using diverse lithographic approaches. Herein, we present the detailed studies on the fabrication of femtosecond (fs) laser‐induced periodic/ripple‐like surface structures on nickel (Ni) substrate in distilled water whereas 3D-like (nanocages) features on Ni substrates in acetone by tailoring the laser processing parameters (pulse energy). The morphological studies of simultaneously obtained Ni nanoparticles (NPs)/nanostructures (NSs) in distilled water/acetone were meticulously studied using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The fabricated Ni periodic/3D-like structures were gold (Au) plated using thermal evaporation technique and subsequently utilized as surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active sensors for detecting the traces of various analyte molecules such as malachite green (MG) and Nile blue (NB). The grooved Ni-Au substrates allowed us to detect extremely low concentrations of MG (500 pM) and NB (5 nM) and, significantly, utilizing a simple, portable Raman spectrometer. Moreover, the substrates have demonstrated superior reproducibility as well as multi-utility nature with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of <17%. Additionally, Au- coated Ni grooved SERS substrates have demonstrated superior sensitivity and reproducibility in comparison to commercially available Ag-based SERS sensors (SERSitive, Poland). The proposed method of fabricating ripple and nanocages of Ni SERS platforms are highly viable to overcome the cost and one-time usage of substrates for on-site detection of several analyte molecules using a portable/hand-held Raman spectrometer.