SERS: Materials, applications, and the future

Raman spectroscopy can be used to measure the chemical composition of a sample, which can in turn be used to extract biological information. Many materials have characteristic Raman spectra, which means that Raman spectroscopy has proven to be an effective analytical approach in geology, semiconductor, materials and polymer science fields. The application of Raman spectroscopy and microscopy within biology is rapidly increasing because it can provide chemical and compositional information, but it does not typically suffer from interference from water molecules. Analysis does not conventionally require extensive sample preparation; biochemical and structural information can usually be obtained without labeling. In this protocol, we aim to standardize and bring together multiple experimental approaches from key leaders in the field for obtaining Raman spectra using a microspectrometer. As examples of the range of biological samples that can be analyzed, we provide instructions for acquiring Raman spectra, maps and images for fresh plant tissue, formalin-fixed and fresh frozen mammalian tissue, fixed cells and biofluids. We explore a robust approach for sample preparation, instrumentation, acquisition parameters and data processing. By using this approach, we expect that a typical Raman experiment can be performed by a nonspecialist user to generate high-quality data for biological materials analysis.

/pdf/using-raman-spectroscopy-to-characterize-biological-56ndts7qm5.pdf

Using Raman spectroscopy to characterize biological materials

https://digital.csic.es/bitstream/10261/22454/3/SUPERCRITICAL%20FLUID%20EXTRACTION.pdf

Supercritical fluid extraction: Recent advances and applications

Current trends in explosive detection techniques

Herein, we present a survey of the literature covering the development of molecular imprinting science and technology over the years 2004-2011. In total, 3779 references to the original papers, rev ...

Molecular imprinting science and technology: a survey of the literature for the years 2004-2011.

Forensic and homeland security applications of modern portable Raman spectroscopy.

Chiral discrimination and enantioselective analysis of drugs: An overview

A novel gold coated femtosecond laser nanostructured sapphire surface – an “optical nose” – based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for detecting vapours of explosive substances was investigated. Four different nitroaromatic vapours at room temperature were tested. Sensor responses were unambiguous and showed response in the range of 0.05–15 μM at 25 °C. The laser fabricated substrate nanostructures produced up to an eight-fold increase in Raman signal over that observed on the unstructured portions of the substrate. This work demonstrates a simple sensing system that is compatible with commercial manufacturing practices to detect taggants in explosives which can undertake as part of an integrated security or investigative mission.

/pdf/sers-substrate-for-detection-of-explosives-3xsj8nnm7r.pdf

SERS substrate for detection of explosives

A novel gold coated femtosecond laser nanostructured sapphire surface - an “optical nose” - based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for detecting vapours of explosive substances was investigated. Four different nitroaromatic vapours at room temperature were tested. Sensor responses were unambiguous and showed response in the range of 0.05-15 µM at 25 °C. The laser fabricated substrate nanostructures produced up to an eight-fold increase in Raman signal over that observed on the unstructured portions of the substrate. This work demonstrates a simple sensing system that is compatible with commercial manufacturing practices to detect taggants in explosives which can undertake as part of an integrated security or investigative mission.

Emad L. Izake

Papers

Forensic and homeland security applications of modern portable Raman spectroscopy.

Chiral discrimination and enantioselective analysis of drugs: An overview

SERS substrate for detection of explosives

SERS substrate for detection of explosives.

Spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) for the analysis and detection of packaged pharmaceuticals and concealed drugs