Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) combines molecular fingerprint specificity with potential single-molecule sensitivity. Therefore, the SERS technique is an attractive tool for sensing molecules in trace amounts within the field of chemical and biochemical analytics. Since SERS is an ongoing topic, which can be illustrated by the increased annual number of publications within the last few years, this review reflects the progress and trends in SERS research in approximately the last three years. The main reason why the SERS technique has not been established as a routine analytic technique, despite its high specificity and sensitivity, is due to the low reproducibility of the SERS signal. Thus, this review is dominated by the discussion of the various concepts for generating powerful, reproducible, SERS-active surfaces. Furthermore, the limit of sensitivity in SERS is introduced in the context of single-molecule spectroscopy and the calculation of the 'real' enhancement factor. In order to shed more light onto the underlying molecular processes of SERS, the theoretical description of SERS spectra is also a growing research field and will be summarized here. In addition, the recording of SERS spectra is affected by a number of parameters, such as laser power, integration time, and analyte concentration. To benefit from synergies, SERS is combined with other methods, such as scanning probe microscopy and microfluidics, which illustrates the broad applications of this powerful technique.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS): progress and trends

This work was supported by the Christian Doppler Research Association (Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy and the National Foundation for Research, Technology and Development), the OMV Group (to E.R.), the EPSRC (DTA studentships for D.W.W. and T.E.R), the Isaac Newton Trust, the German Research Foundation (to M.F.K.), the World Premier Institute Research Center Initiative (WPI), MEXT, Japan (to K.L.O.) and a Marie Curie Research fellowship (to K.H.L., GAN 701192 - VSHER).

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Solar-driven reforming of lignocellulose to H 2 with a CdS/CdO x photocatalyst

Xerographic photoreceptors charge acceptance and dark discharge photoinduced discharge photogeneration theories photogeneration in organic solids charge transport theories charge transport in polymers and related materials experimental techniques photoreceptor preparation photoreceptors fatigue summary and future requirements.

Organic Photoreceptors for Imaging Systems

Ed Lori B Andrews, Jane E Fullarton, Neil A Holtzman, Arno G Motulsky National Academy Press, £28.95, pp 338 ISBN 0-309-04798-6

Genetic screening tends to serve as a flypaper on which our hovering fears of a Brave New World alight and stick. In the future of all-conquering genetic technology, who should be screened for what and by whom? Here is a dense report, compiled by a committee of the great and the good, with hundreds of recommendations for action and inaction. How much …

Assessing Genetic Risks: Implications for Health and Social Policy

A review on nanostructured carbon quantum dots and their applications in biotechnology, sensors, and chemiluminescence.

Low temperature Raman and DFT study of creatinine

The basic structural differences between three thermotropic liquid crystals TB4A, TB7A and TB10A have been interpreted by analysing their Raman spectra. Three spectral regions, 925-1025, 1275-1475 and 1525-1650 cm-1, have been chosen in this context to incorporate their structural dissimilarity. The induced planarity of the backbone, as an effect of increasing chain length, has been studied by observing the changes in the respective Raman spectra of the three compounds. A tentative assignment of all the modes observed in the region 400-1700cm-1 is made in this context. The molecular conformations of the three compounds have been predicted in their solution states, and are compared with the molecular environment that exists in their liquid crystalline states. Structural disorder at the solid-SmG transition is discussed and the changes are incorporated systematically.

/pdf/a-comparative-laser-raman-study-on-tb4a-tb7a-and-tb10a-16xqhmb0ou.pdf

Ranjan K. Singh

Papers

Low temperature Raman and DFT study of creatinine

A comparative laser Raman study on TB4A, TB7A and TB10A

Temperature dependent Raman study of S(B)-->S(C) transition in liquid crystalline compound N-(4-n-pentyloxybenzylidene)-4'-heptylaniline (5O.7).

Fabrication of liquid crystal based sensor for detection of hydrazine vapours

An excellent stable fluorescent probe: Selective and sensitive detection of trace amounts of Hg+2 ions in natural source of water