Nanomaterials in Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanophotonics Materials and Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2021) | Viewed by 16728

Special Issue Editor

1. Department of Chemistry ‘Ugo Schiff’, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
2. European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy–LENS, Florence, Italy
Interests: Raman; SERS; dyes; laser spectroscopy; excited states; ab-initio

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a highly sensitive and selective technique that allows for a good molecular specificity for analytical purposes, thanks to the spectral details typical of vibrational spectroscopy. In SERS, the large enhancement of the Raman signals is obtained via the specific interaction of molecules with nanoparticles or nanostructured surfaces. Fundamental studies are aimed at understanding and modeling the specific chemical and physical properties of the nanostructured systems in order to predict and optimize their interaction with adsorbed molecules.

Thanks to the developments of new active nanostructured substrates, SERS has dramatically increased the number of applications from sensing to imaging, including single molecule detection. The fields of application cover a wide range of topics, including studies on the molecular systems relevant in art conservation, forensic, environmental, pharmacology, biomedical sciences, polymer, and material sciences.

This Special Issue of Nanomaterials dedicated to surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy aims to present its current state of knowledge, including theoretical, fundamental, and applied research. Therefore, I invite active research scholars and long-time researchers in the field to share and widely diffuse their experience, contributing to this Special Issue with original research papers as well as review articles.

Dr. Maurizio Becucci
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • SERS
  • Raman
  • resonance
  • active substrate
  • enhancement factor
  • applied spectroscopy
  • ab initio
  • DFT

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3355 KiB  
Article
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Bisphenols Detection: Toward a Better Understanding of the Analyte–Nanosystem Interactions
by Eleonora Roschi, Cristina Gellini, Marilena Ricci, Santiago Sanchez-Cortes, Claudia Focardi, Bruno Neri, Juan Carlos Otero, Isabel López-Tocón, Giulietta Smulevich and Maurizio Becucci
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(4), 881; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11040881 - 30 Mar 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2751
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles functionalized with thiolated β-cyclodextrin (CD-SH) were employed for the detection of bisphenols (BPs) A, B, and S by means of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The functionalization of Ag nanoparticles with CD-SH leads to an improvement of the sensitivity of the implemented [...] Read more.
Silver nanoparticles functionalized with thiolated β-cyclodextrin (CD-SH) were employed for the detection of bisphenols (BPs) A, B, and S by means of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The functionalization of Ag nanoparticles with CD-SH leads to an improvement of the sensitivity of the implemented SERS nanosensor. Using a multivariate analysis of the SERS data, the limit of detection of these compounds was estimated at about 10−7 M, in the range of the tens of ppb. Structural analysis of the CD-SH/BP complex was performed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Theoretical results allowed the assignment of key structural vibrational bands related to ring breathing motions and the inter-ring vibrations and pointed out an external interaction due to four hydrogen bonds between the hydroxyl groups of BP and CD located at the external top of the CD cone. DFT calculations allowed also checking the interaction energies of the different molecular species on the Ag surface and testing the effect of the presence of CD-SH on the BPs’ affinity. These findings were in agreement with the experimental evidences that there is not an actual inclusion of BP inside the CD cavity. The SERS sensor and the analysis procedure of data based on partial least square regression proposed here were tested in a real sample consisting of the detection of BPs in milk extracts to validate the detection performance of the SERS sensor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials in Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy)
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14 pages, 2562 KiB  
Article
Comparative Performance of Citrate, Borohydride, Hydroxylamine and β-Cyclodextrin Silver Sols for Detecting Ibuprofen and Caffeine Pollutants by Means of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
by Michele Lemos de Souza, Juan Carlos Otero and Isabel López-Tocón
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(12), 2339; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10122339 - 25 Nov 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2337
Abstract
The detection of emerging contaminants in the aquatic environment, such as ibuprofen and caffeine, was studied by means of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) using Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) as a reducing agent. The effect on the SERS signal of different [...] Read more.
The detection of emerging contaminants in the aquatic environment, such as ibuprofen and caffeine, was studied by means of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) using Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) as a reducing agent. The effect on the SERS signal of different molar ratios of Ag+/βCD in the synthesis route and the aging process of AgNPs were investigated by using trans-cinnamic as a test molecule. The SERS effectiveness of these β-cyclodextrin colloids (Ag@βCD) was also checked and compared with that of other silver sols usually employed in SERS synthesized by using other reducing agents such as citrate, borohydride and hydroxylamine. All the synthesized SERS substrates were characterized by different techniques. The experimental results indicate that Ag@βCD with the more diluted Ag+/βCD molar ratio showed the best SERS signal, enabling detection at trace concentrations of 0.5 µM in the case of trans-cinnamic acid. The Ag@βCD sols also showed the best sensitivity for detecting ibuprofen and caffeine, reaching the lowest limit of detection (0.1 mM). The proposed synthetic route for Ag@βCD sols provides an improved SERS substrate for detecting organic pollutants with better performance than other standard silver sols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials in Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy)
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10 pages, 1510 KiB  
Communication
Phosphorylation-Dependent SERS Readout for Activity Assay of Protein Kinase A in Cell Extracts
by Renyong Liu, Chenggen Xie, Yehan Yan, Lin Hu, Suhua Wang, Khalid A. Alamry, Hadi M. Marwani and Lijuan Chen
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(3), 575; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10030575 - 22 Mar 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2756
Abstract
Protein kinases are key regulators of cell function, the abnormal activity of which may induce several human diseases, including cancers. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop a sensitive and reliable method for assaying protein kinase activities in real biological samples. Here, [...] Read more.
Protein kinases are key regulators of cell function, the abnormal activity of which may induce several human diseases, including cancers. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop a sensitive and reliable method for assaying protein kinase activities in real biological samples. Here, we report the phosphorylation-dependent surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) readout of spermine-functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for protein kinase A (PKA) activity assay in cell extracts. In this assay, the presence of PKA would phosphorylate and alter the net charge states of Raman dye-labeled substrate peptides, and the resulting anionic products could absorb onto the AgNPs with cationic surface charge through electrostatic attraction. Meanwhile, the Raman signals of dyes labeled on peptides were strongly enhanced by the aggregated AgNPs with interparticle hot spots formed in assay buffer. The SERS readout was directly proportional to the PKA activity in a wide range of 0.0001–0.5 U·μL−1 with a detection limit as low as 0.00003 U·μL−1. Moreover, the proposed SERS-based assay for the PKA activity was successfully applied to monitoring the activity and inhibition of PKA in real biological samples, particularly in cell extracts, which would be beneficial for kinase-related disease diagnostics and inhibitor screening. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials in Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy)
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Review

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17 pages, 2328 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Magnetic Plasmonic Particles for Bioapplications
by Kim-Hung Huynh, Eunil Hahm, Mi Suk Noh, Jong-Hwan Lee, Xuan-Hung Pham, Sang Hun Lee, Jaehi Kim, Won-Yeop Rho, Hyejin Chang, Dong Min Kim, Ahruem Baek, Dong-Eun Kim, Dae Hong Jeong, Seung-min Park and Bong-Hyun Jun
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(5), 1215; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11051215 - 04 May 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3655
Abstract
The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique, that uses magnetic plasmonic particles (MPPs), is an advanced SERS detection platform owing to the synergetic effects of the particles’ magnetic and plasmonic properties. As well as being an ultrasensitive and reliable SERS material, MPPs perform various [...] Read more.
The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique, that uses magnetic plasmonic particles (MPPs), is an advanced SERS detection platform owing to the synergetic effects of the particles’ magnetic and plasmonic properties. As well as being an ultrasensitive and reliable SERS material, MPPs perform various functions, such as aiding in separation, drug delivery, and acting as a therapeutic material. This literature discusses the structure and multifunctionality of MPPs, which has enabled the novel application of MPPs to various biological fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials in Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy)
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15 pages, 3079 KiB  
Review
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Cancer Immunotherapy Applications: Opportunities, Challenges, and Current Progress in Nanomaterial Strategies
by Shuvashis Dey, Matt Trau and Kevin M. Koo
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(6), 1145; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10061145 - 11 Jun 2020
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4234
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy encompasses a variety of approaches which target or use a patient’s immune system components to eliminate cancer. Notably, the current use of immune checkpoint inhibitors to target immune checkpoint receptors such as CTLA-4 or PD-1 has led to remarkable treatment responses [...] Read more.
Cancer immunotherapy encompasses a variety of approaches which target or use a patient’s immune system components to eliminate cancer. Notably, the current use of immune checkpoint inhibitors to target immune checkpoint receptors such as CTLA-4 or PD-1 has led to remarkable treatment responses in a variety of cancers. To predict cancer patients’ immunotherapy responses effectively and efficiently, multiplexed immunoassays have been shown to be advantageous in sensing multiple immunomarkers of the tumor microenvironment simultaneously for patient stratification. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is well-regarded for its capabilities in multiplexed bioassays and has been increasingly demonstrated in cancer immunotherapy applications in recent years. This review focuses on SERS-active nanomaterials in the modern literature which have shown promise for enabling cancer patient-tailored immunotherapies, including multiplexed in vitro and in vivo immunomarker sensing and imaging, as well as immunotherapy drug screening and delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials in Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy)
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