Plasmonic surface-enhanced Raman scattering nano-substrates for detection of anionic environmental contaminants: Current progress and future perspectives

Sintayehu Leshe Kitaw; Yihenew Simegniew Birhan; Hsieh-Chih Tsai

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2023.115247

Plasmonic surface-enhanced Raman scattering nano-substrates for detection of anionic environmental contaminants: Current progress and future perspectives

Environ Res. 2023 Mar 15:221:115247. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115247. Epub 2023 Jan 11.

Authors

Sintayehu Leshe Kitaw¹, Yihenew Simegniew Birhan², Hsieh-Chih Tsai³

Affiliations

¹ Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Technology, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, 106, Taiwan, ROC.
² Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Debre Markos University, P.O. Box 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
³ Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Technology, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, 106, Taiwan, ROC; Advanced Membrane Materials Center, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, 106, Taiwan, ROC; R&D Center for Membrane Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli, Taoyuan, 320, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: h.c.tsai@mail.ntust.edu.tw.

PMID: 36640935
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115247

Abstract

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful technique of vibrational spectroscopy based on the inelastic scattering of incident photons by molecular species. It has unique properties such as ultra-sensitivity, selectivity, non-destructivity, speed, and fingerprinting properties for analytical and sensing applications. This enables SERS to be widely used in real-world sample analysis and basic plasmonic mechanistic studies. However, the desirable properties of SERS are compromised by the high cost and low reproducibility of the signals. The development of multifunctional, stable and reusable nano-engineered SERS substrates is a viable solution to circumvent these drawbacks. Recently, plasmonic SERS active nano-substrates with various morphologies have attracted the attention of researchers due to promising properties such as the formation of dense hot spots, additional stability, tunable and controlled morphology, and surface functionalization. This comprehensive review focused on the current advances in the field of SERS active nanosubstrates suitable for the detection and quantification of anionic environmental pollutants. The common fabrication methods, including the techniques for morphological adjustments and surface modification, substrate categories, and the design of nanotechnologically fabricated plasmonic SERS substrates for anion detection are systematically presented. Here, the need for the design, synthesis, and functionalization of SERS nano-substrates for anions of great environmental importance is explained in detail. In addition, the broad categories of SERS nano-substrates, namely colloid-based SERS substrates and solid-support SERS substrates are discussed. Moreover, a brief discussion of SERS detection of certain anionic pollutants in the environment is presented. Finally, the prospects in the fabrication and commercialization of pilot-scale handheld SERS sensors and the construction of smart nanosubstrates integrated with novel amplifying materials for the detection of anions of environmental and health concern are proposed.

Keywords: Anion detection; Colloidal SERS substrates; SERS; Solid-support SERS substrates.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Environmental Pollutants*
Reproducibility of Results
Spectrum Analysis, Raman* / methods

Substances

Environmental Pollutants