Plasmonic nanostructure biosensors based on metal are a powerful tool in the biosensing field. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) can be classified into localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and propagating surface plasmon polariton (PSPP), based on the transmission mode. Initially, the physical principles of LSPR and PSPP are elaborated. In what follows, the recent development of the biosensors related to SPR principle is summarized. For clarity, they are categorized into three groups according to the sensing principle: (i) inherent resonance-based biosensors, which are sensitive to the refractive index changes of the surroundings; (ii) plasmon nanoruler biosensors in which the distances of the nanostructure can be changed by biomolecules at the nanoscale; and (iii) surface-enhanced Raman scattering biosensors in which the nanostructure serves as an amplifier for Raman scattering signals. Moreover, the advanced application of single-molecule detection is discussed in terms of metal nanoparticle and nanopore structures. The review concludes by providing perspectives on the future development of plasmonic nanostructure biosensors.
Keywords: plasmon nanoruler; plasmonic nanostructure biosensors; surface plasmon resonance; surface-enhanced Raman scattering.