Exploring the Potentiality of a SERS-Active pH Nano-Biosensor

Development of a 3D Hydrogel SERS Chip for Noninvasive, Real-Time pH and Glucose Monitoring in Sweat

Traditional diagnostic methods, such as blood tests, are invasive and time-consuming, while sweat biomarkers offer a rapid physiological assessment. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has garnered significant attention in sweat analysis because of its high sensitivity, label-free nature, and nondestructive properties. However, challenges related to substrate reproducibility and interference from the biological matrix persist with SERS. This study developed a novel ratio-based 3D hydrogel SERS chip, providing a noninvasive solution for real-time monitoring of pH and glucose levels in sweat. Encapsulating the probe molecule (4-MBN) in nanoscale gaps to form gold nanoflower-like nanotags with internal standards and integrating them into an agarose hydrogel to create a 3D flexible SERS substrate significantly enhances the reproducibility and stability of sweat analysis. Gap-Au nanopetals modified with probe molecules are uniformly dispersed throughout the porous hydrogel structure, facilitating the effective detection of the pH and glucose in sweat. The 3D hydrogel SERS chip demonstrates a strong linear relationship in pH and glucose detection, with a pH response range of 5.5-8.0 and a glucose detection range of 0.01-5 mM, with R2 values of 0.9973 and 0.9923, respectively. In actual sweat samples, the maximum error in pH detection accuracy is only 1.13%, with a lower glucose detection limit of 0.25 mM. This study suggests that the ratio-based 3D hydrogel SERS chip provides convenient, reliable, and rapid detection capabilities with substantial application potential for analyzing body fluid pH and glucose.

Integrated magneto-plasmonic nanostructures-based immunoassay for galectin-3 detection

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of global mortality, highlighting the need for accurate diagnostic tools and the detection of specific cardiac biomarkers. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy has proved to be a promising alternative diagnostic tool to detect relevant biomarkers compared to traditional methods. To our knowledge, SERS methodology has never been used to detect galectin-3 (Gal-3), a crucial biomarker for cardiovascular conditions. Our study aimed to develop plasmonic and magneto-plasmonic nanoplatforms for the sensitive immunodetection of Gal-3 using SERS. Spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized and functionalized with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUDA) to enable antibody binding and 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4MBA) that served as a Raman reporter due to its intense Raman signal. Following bioconjugation with Gal-3 antibody, the AuNPs were employed in the immunodetection of Gal-3 in phosphate-buffer saline (PBS) solution, offering a limit of detection (LOD) of 12.2 ng mL-1 and a working range up to 120 ng mL-1. Furthermore, our SERS-based immunosystem demonstrated selectivity for Gal-3 (40 ng mL-1) in the presence of other biomolecules such as α-amylase, bovine serum albumin and human C-reactive protein. As a proof of concept, we developed magneto-plasmonic nanoparticles composed of silica-coated magnetite decorated with the bioconjugated AuNPs aimed at enhancing the uptake and detection of Gal-3 via SERS coupled with Raman imaging. Our findings underscore the potential of SERS-based techniques for the sensitive and specific detection of biomarkers, holding significant implications for improved diagnosis and surveillance of cardiovascular diseases. Future research will focus on further optimizing these nanoplatforms and their translation into clinical settings.

Magnesium Nanoparticles for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering and Plasmon-Driven Catalysis

Nanostructures of some metals can sustain localized surface plasmon resonances, collective oscillations of free electrons excited by incident light. This effect results in wavelength-dependent absorption and scattering, enhancement of the incident electric field at the metal surface, and generation of hot carriers as a decay product. The enhanced electric field can be utilized to amplify the spectroscopic signal in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), while hot carriers can be exploited for catalytic applications. In recent years, cheaper and more earth abundant alternatives to traditional plasmonic Au and Ag have gained growing attention. Here, we demonstrate the ability of plasmonic Mg nanoparticles to enhance Raman scattering and drive chemical transformations upon laser irradiation. The plasmonic properties of Mg nanoparticles are characterized at the bulk and single particle level by optical spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with electron energy-loss spectroscopy and supported by numerical simulations. SERS enhancement factors of ∼102 at 532 and 633 nm are obtained using 4-mercaptobenzoic acid and 4-nitrobenzenethiol. Furthermore, the reductive coupling of 4-nitrobenzenethiol to 4,4'-dimercaptoazobenzene is observed on the surface of Mg nanoparticles under 532 nm excitation in the absence of reducing agents, indicating a plasmon-driven catalytic process. Once decorated with Pd, Mg nanostructures display an enhancement factor of 103 along with an increase in the rate of catalytic coupling. The results of this study demonstrate the successful application of plasmonic Mg nanoparticles in sensing and plasmon-enhanced catalysis.

SERS in 3D cell models: a powerful tool in cancer research

Unraveling the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying tumoral processes is fundamental for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this regard, three-dimensional (3D) cancer cell models more realistically mimic tumors compared to conventional 2D cell cultures and are more attractive for performing such studies. Nonetheless, the analysis of such architectures is challenging because most available techniques are destructive, resulting in the loss of biochemical information. On the contrary, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a non-invasive analytical tool that can record the structural fingerprint of molecules present in complex biological environments. The implementation of SERS in 3D cancer models can be leveraged to track therapeutics, the production of cancer-related metabolites, different signaling and communication pathways, and to image the different cellular components and structural features. In this review, we highlight recent progress in the use of SERS for the evaluation of cancer diagnosis and therapy in 3D tumoral models. We outline strategies for the delivery and design of SERS tags and shed light on the possibilities this technique offers for studying different cellular processes, through either biosensing or bioimaging modalities. Finally, we address current challenges and future directions, such as overcoming the limitations of SERS and the need for the development of user-friendly and robust data analysis methods. Continued development of SERS 3D bioimaging and biosensing systems, techniques, and analytical strategies, can provide significant contributions for early disease detection, novel cancer therapies, and the realization of patient-tailored medicine.

Biomimetic SERS substrate with silicon-mediated internal standard: Improved sensing of environmental pollutants and nutrients

Biomimetic materials with fascinating natural micro-nano surface structures offer a good choice for the simple fabrication of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate. This study presented a novel sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC)-Ag biomimetic substrate which was fabricated through the reverse replication of micro-nano structures from cantaloupe peel. Particularly, silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) were doped into this flexible biomimetic substrate in its fabrication process. Abundant electromagnetic "hotspots" could be effectively excited in this Ag densely covered matrix which maintained numerous protrusions as well as vertical and horizontal grooves. Specifically, the doped Si NPs exhibited a robust intrinsic Raman peak, which could be employed as an internal standard to calibrate the target signal. In this regard, the biomimetic substrate with the optimal electromagnetic enhancement and the quantitative calibration capabilities exhibited a high enhancement factor and a remedied linear relationship in the detection. After a perfect uniformity of signal was proved by the corrected SERS mapping, the biomimetic SERS substrate was finally utilized in the practical analysis of methylene blue (MB) and β-carotene with ultra-low limit of detection, highlighting its importance in practical detection scenarios.

A 3D printed sheath flow interface for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection in flow

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an effective technique for detecting molecules in aqueous solutions due to its insensitivity to water, which makes it especially useful for biological samples. Utilizing SERS in flow can aid in a variety of applications such as metabolomics, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostics. The ability to 3D print complex objects enables rapid dissemination of prototypes. A 3D printed flow cell for sheath flow SERS detection has been developed that can incorporate a variety of planar substrates. The 3D printed flow cell incorporates hydrodynamic focusing, a sheath flow, that confines the analyte near the SERS substrate. Since the SERS signal obtained relies on the interaction between analyte molecules and nanostructures, sheath flow increases the detection efficiency and eliminates many issues associated with SERS detection in solution. This device was optimized by analyzing both molecules and particles with and without using sheath flow for SERS detection. Our results show that the flow rates can be optimized to increase the SERS signal obtained from a variety of analytes, and that the signal was increased when using sheath flow. This 3D printed flow cell offers a straightforward method to disseminate this technology and to facilitate online SERS detection.

Multiwavelength SERS of Magneto-Plasmonic Nanoparticles Obtained by Combined Laser Ablation and Solvothermal Methods

The present study introduces a novel method for the synthesis of magneto-plasmonic nanoparticles (MPNPs) with enhanced functionality for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) applications. By employing pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) to synthesize plasmonic nanoparticles and wet chemistry to synthesize magnetic nanoparticles, we successfully fabricated chemically pure hybrid Fe3O4@Au and Fe3O4@Ag nanoparticles. We demonstrated a straightforward approach of an electrostatic attachment of the plasmonic and magnetic parts using positively charged polyethylenimine. The MPNPs displayed high SERS sensitivity and reproducibility, and the magnetic part allowed for the controlled separation of the nanoparticles from the reaction mixture, their subsequent concentration, and their precise deposition onto a specified surface area. Additionally, we fabricated alloy based MPNPs from AgxAu100-x (x = 50 and 80 wt %) targets with distinct localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) wavelengths. The compositions, morphologies, and optical properties of the nanoparticles were characterized by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis spectroscopy, and multiwavelength Raman spectroscopy. A standard SERS marker, 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA), validated the enhancement properties of the MPNPs and found an enhancement factor of 2 × 108 for the Fe3O4@Ag nanoparticles at 633 nm excitation. Lastly, we applied MPNP-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for the analysis of the biologically relevant molecule adenine and found a limit of detection of 10-7 M at 785 nm excitation. The integration of PLAL and wet chemical methods enabled the relatively fast and cost-effective production of MPNPs characterized by high SERS sensitivity and signal reproducibility that are required in various fields, including biomedicine, food safety, materials science, security, and defense.

Nanobubble Reactivity: Evaluating Hydroxyl Radical Generation (or Lack Thereof) under Ambient Conditions

Nanobubble (NB) generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially hydroxyl radical (·OH), has been controversial. In this work, we extensively characterize NBs in solution, with a focus on ROS generation (as ·OH), through a number of methods including degradation of ·OH-specific target compounds, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and a fluorescence-based indicator. Generated NBs exhibit consistent physical characteristics (size, surface potential, and concentration) when compared with previous studies. For conditions described, which are considered as high O2 NB concentrations, no degradation of benzoic acid (BA), a well-studied ·OH scavenger, was observed in the presence of NBs (over 24 h) and no EPR signal for ·OH was detected. While a positive fluorescence response was measured when using a fluorescence probe for ·OH, aminophenyl fluorescein (APF), we provide an alternate explanation for the result. Gas/liquid interfacial characterization indicates that the surface of a NB is proton-rich and capable of inducing acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of APF, which results in a false (positive) fluorescence response. Given these negative results, we conclude that NB-induced ·OH generation is minimal, if at all, for conditions evaluated.

Development of a Low-Cost Paper-Based Platform for Coffee Ring-Assisted SERS

The need for highly sensitive, low-cost, and timely diagnostic technologies at the point of care is increasing. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a vibrational spectroscopic technique that is an advantageous technique to address this need, as it can rapidly detect analytes in small or dilute samples with improved sensitivity compared to conventional Raman spectroscopy. Despite the many advantages of SERS, one drawback of the technique is poor reproducibility due to variable interactions between nanoparticles and target analytes. To overcome this limitation, coupling SERS with the coffee ring effect has been implemented to concentrate and localize analyte-nanoparticle conjugates for improved signal reproducibility. However, current coffee ring platforms require laborious fabrication steps. Herein, we present a low-cost, two-step fabrication process for coffee ring-assisted SERS, utilizing wax-printed nitrocellulose paper. The platform was designed to produce a highly hydrophobic paper substrate that supports the coffee ring effect and tested using gold nanoparticles for SERS sensing. The nanoparticle concentration and solvent were varied to determine the effect of solution composition on ring formation and center clearance. The SERS signal was validated using 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA) and tested with Moraxella catarrhalis bacteria to ensure functionality for chemical and biological applications. The limit of detection using MBA is 41.56 nM, and the biochemical components of the bacterial cell wall were enhanced with low spectral variability. The developed platform is advantageous due to ease of fabrication and use, representing the next step toward implementing low-cost coffee ring-assisted SERS for point-of-care sensing.

Research Progress in Surface-Enhanced Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy: From Performance Optimization, Sensing Applications, to System Integration

Infrared absorption spectroscopy is an effective tool for the detection and identification of molecules. However, its application is limited by the low infrared absorption cross-section of the molecule, resulting in low sensitivity and a poor signal-to-noise ratio. Surface-Enhanced Infrared Absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy is a breakthrough technique that exploits the field-enhancing properties of periodic nanostructures to amplify the vibrational signals of trace molecules. The fascinating properties of SEIRA technology have aroused great interest, driving diverse sensing applications. In this review, we first discuss three ways for SEIRA performance optimization, including material selection, sensitivity enhancement, and bandwidth improvement. Subsequently, we discuss the potential applications of SEIRA technology in fields such as biomedicine and environmental monitoring. In recent years, we have ushered in a new era characterized by the Internet of Things, sensor networks, and wearable devices. These new demands spurred the pursuit of miniaturized and consolidated infrared spectroscopy systems and chips. In addition, the rise of machine learning has injected new vitality into SEIRA, bringing smart device design and data analysis to the foreground. The final section of this review explores the anticipated trajectory that SEIRA technology might take, highlighting future trends and possibilities.

Stable and Reusable Lace-like Black Silicon Nanostructures Coated with Nanometer-Thick Gold Films for SERS-Based Sensing

We propose a simple, fast, and low-cost method for producing Au-coated black Si-based SERS-active substrates with a proven enhancement factor of 10⁶. Room temperature reactive ion etching of silicon wafer followed by nanometer-thin gold sputtering allows the formation of a highly developed lace-type Si surface covered with homogeneously distributed gold islands. The mosaic structure of deposited gold allows the use of Au-uncovered Si domains for Raman peak intensity normalization. The fabricated SERS substrates have prominent uniformity (with less than 6% SERS signal variations over large areas, 100 × 100 μm²). It has been found that the storage of SERS-active substrates in an ambient environment reduces the SERS signal by less than 3% in 1 month and not more than 40% in 20 months. We showed that Au-coated black Si-based SERS-active substrates can be reused after oxygen plasma cleaning and developed relevant protocols for removing covalently bonded and electrostatically attached molecules. Experiments revealed that the Raman signal of 4-MBA molecules covalently bonded to the Au coating measured after the 10th cycle was just 4 times lower than that observed for the virgin substrate. A case study of the reusability of the black Si-based substrate was conducted for the subsequent detection of 10^-5 M doxorubicin, a widely used anticancer drug, after the reuse cycle. The obtained SERS spectra of doxorubicin were highly reproducible. We demonstrated that the fabricated substrate permits not only qualitative but also quantitative monitoring of analytes and is suitable for the determination of concentrations of doxorubicin in the range of 10^-9-10^-4 M. Reusable, stable, reliable, durable, low-cost Au-coated black Si-based SERS-active substrates are promising tools for routine laboratory research in different areas of science and healthcare.

Nanoscale Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Investigation of a Polyphenol-Based Plasmonic Nanovector

The demand for next-generation multifunctional nanovectors, combining therapeutic effects with specific cellular targeting, has significantly grown during the last few years, pursuing less invasive therapy strategies. Polyphenol-conjugated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) appear as potential multifunctional nanovectors, integrating the biorecognition capability and the antioxidant power of polyphenols, the antimicrobial activity of silver, and the drug delivery capability of NPs. We present a spectroscopic and microscopic investigation on polyphenol-synthesized AgNPs, selecting caffeic acid (CA) and catechol (CT) as model polyphenols and using them as reducing agents for the AgNP green synthesis, both in the presence and in the absence of a capping agent. We exploit the plasmonic properties of AgNPs to collect Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectra from the nanosized region next to the Ag surface and to characterize the molecular environment in the proximity of the NP, assessing the orientation and tunable deprotonation level of CA, depending on the synthesis conditions. Our results suggest that the SERS investigation of such nanovectors can provide crucial information for their perspective biomedical application.

Direct Modular Printing of Plasmonic Chemosensors

Here, we present and implement a new approach for producing modular inkjet-printable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) chemosensors. These sensors, combined with a rapid large field-of-view imaging system allow for fast imaging of the chemical characteristics of a sample. The performance of these materials is illustrated by printing a pH sensor on paper and interrogating aqueous solutions at different pH values. Results show single-shot images exceeding 9 mm² which are readily read out via SERS imaging.

Investigation of SERS Frequency Fluctuations Relevant to Sensing and Catalysis

The excitation of plasmon resonances on nanoparticles generates locally enhanced electric fields commonly used for sensing applications and energetic charge carriers can drive chemical transformations as photocatalysts. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra from mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA) adsorbed to gold nanoparticles (AuNP) and silica encapsulated gold nanoparticles (AuNP@silica) can be used to assess the impact of energetic charge carriers on the observed signal. Measurements were recorded using a traditional point focused Raman spectroscopy and a wide-field spectral imaging approach to assess changes in the spectra of the different particles at increasing power density. The wide-field approach provides an increase in sampling statistics and shows evidence of SERS frequency fluctuations from MBA at low power densities, where it is commonly difficult to record spectra from a point focused spot. The increased spectral resolution of the point spectroscopy measurement provides improved peak identification and the ability to correlate the frequency fluctuations to charged intermediate species. Interestingly, our work suggests that isolated nanoparticles may undergo frequency fluctuations more readily than aggregates.

State of the Art in Smart Portable, Wearable, Ingestible and Implantable Devices for Health Status Monitoring and Disease Management

Several illnesses that are chronic and acute are becoming more relevant as the world's aging population expands, and the medical sector is transforming rapidly, as a consequence of which the need for "point-of-care" (POC), identification/detection, and real time management of health issues that have been required for a long time are increasing. Biomarkers are biological markers that help to detect status of health or disease. Biosensors' applications are for screening for early detection, chronic disease treatment, health management, and well-being surveillance. Smart devices that allow continual monitoring of vital biomarkers for physiological health monitoring, medical diagnosis, and assessment are becoming increasingly widespread in a variety of applications, ranging from biomedical to healthcare systems of surveillance and monitoring. The term "smart" is used due to the ability of these devices to extract data with intelligence and in real time. Wearable, implantable, ingestible, and portable devices can all be considered smart devices; this is due to their ability of smart interpretation of data, through their smart sensors or biosensors and indicators. Wearable and portable devices have progressed more and more in the shape of various accessories, integrated clothes, and body attachments and inserts. Moreover, implantable and ingestible devices allow for the medical diagnosis and treatment of patients using tiny sensors and biomedical gadgets or devices have become available, thus increasing the quality and efficacy of medical treatments by a significant margin. This article summarizes the state of the art in portable, wearable, ingestible, and implantable devices for health status monitoring and disease management and their possible applications. It also identifies some new technologies that have the potential to contribute to the development of personalized care. Further, these devices are non-invasive in nature, providing information with accuracy and in given time, thus making these devices important for the future use of humanity.

Noninvasive and Point-of-Care Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)-Based Breathalyzer for Mass Screening of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) under 5 min

Population-wide surveillance of COVID-19 requires tests to be quick and accurate to minimize community transmissions. The detection of breath volatile organic compounds presents a promising option for COVID-19 surveillance but is currently limited by bulky instrumentation and inflexible analysis protocol. Here, we design a hand-held surface-enhanced Raman scattering-based breathalyzer to identify COVID-19 infected individuals in under 5 min, achieving >95% sensitivity and specificity across 501 participants regardless of their displayed symptoms. Our SERS-based breathalyzer harnesses key variations in vibrational fingerprints arising from interactions between breath metabolites and multiple molecular receptors to establish a robust partial least-squares discriminant analysis model for high throughput classifications. Crucially, spectral regions influencing classification show strong corroboration with reported potential COVID-19 breath biomarkers, both through experiment and in silico. Our strategy strives to spur the development of next-generation, noninvasive human breath diagnostic toolkits tailored for mass screening purposes.

Quantitative Surface-Enhanced Spectroscopy

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), a powerful technique for trace molecular detection, depends on chemical and electromagnetic enhancements. While recent advances in instrumentation and substrate design have expanded the utility, reproducibility, and quantitative capabilities of SERS, some challenges persist. In this review, advances in quantitative SERS detection are discussed as they relate to intermolecular interactions, surface selection rules, and target molecule solubility and accessibility. After a brief introduction to Raman scattering and SERS, impacts of surface selection rules and enhancement mechanisms are discussed as they relate to the observation of activation and deactivation of normal Raman modes in SERS. Next, experimental conditions that can be used to tune molecular affinity to and density near SERS substrates are summarized and considered while tuning these parameters are conveyed. Finally, successful examples of quantitative SERS detection are discussed, and future opportunities are outlined. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Physical Chemistry, Volume 73 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Hexagonal arrays of plasmonic gold nanopyramids on flexible substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with pyramidal gold nanostructures increases the signal of Raman active analytes, since hotspots form at the edges and tip of a nanopyramid under illumination. 2D hexagonal arrays of pyramidal nanostructures with a quadratic base are fabricated through cost-effective nanosphere lithography and transferred onto elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane. By making use of the {111} crystal plane of a silicon (100) wafer, an inverted pyramidal array is etched, which serves as the complementary negative for the gold nanostructures. Either a continuous gold thin-film with protruding pyramids or separate isolated nanopyramids are produced. Three basic fabrication strategies are presented. The SERS enhancement is verified by Raman mapping of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) molecules. Fabrication on a flexible substrate paves the way for future applications on curved surfaces orin situtunable resonances.

From Raman to SESORRS: moving deeper into cancer detection and treatment monitoring

Raman spectroscopy is a non-invasive technique that allows specific chemical information to be obtained from various types of sample. The detailed molecular information that is present in Raman spectra permits monitoring of biochemical changes that occur in diseases, such as cancer, and can be used for the early detection and diagnosis of the disease, for monitoring treatment, and to distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous biological samples. Several techniques have been developed to enhance the capabilities of Raman spectroscopy by improving detection sensitivity, reducing imaging times and increasing the potential applicability for in vivo analysis. The different Raman techniques each have their own advantages that can accommodate the alternative detection formats, allowing the techniques to be applied in several ways for the detection and diagnosis of cancer. This feature article discusses the various forms of Raman spectroscopy, how they have been applied for cancer detection, and the adaptation of the techniques towards their use for in vivo cancer detection and in clinical diagnostics. Despite the advances in Raman spectroscopy, the clinical application of the technique is still limited and certain challenges must be overcome to enable clinical translation. We provide an outlook on the future of the techniques in this area and what we believe is required to allow the potential of Raman spectroscopy to be achieved for clinical cancer diagnostics.

A simple and reliable approach for the fabrication of nanoporous silver patterns for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy applications

The fabrication of plasmonic nanostructures with a reliable, low cost and easy approach has become a crucial and urgent challenge in many fields, including surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) based applications. In this frame, nanoporous metal films are quite attractive, due to their intrinsic large surface area and high density of metal nanogaps, acting as hot-spots for Raman signal enhancement. In this paper, we report a detailed study on the fabrication of nanoporous silver-based SERS substrates, obtained by the application of two successive treatments with an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) system, using synthetic air and Ar as feeding gases. The obtained substrates exhibit a quite broad plasmonic response, covering the Vis–NIR range, and an enhancement factor reaching 6.5 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\times\, 10^7$$\end{document}×107, estimated by using 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) as probe molecule at 532 nm. Moreover, the substrates exhibit a quite good spatial reproducibility on a centimeter scale, which assures a good signal stability for analytical measurements. Globally, the developed protocol is easy and cost effective, potentially usable also for mass production thanks to the remarkable inter-batches reproducibility. As such, it holds promise for its use in SERS-based sensing platforms for sensitive detection of targets molecules.

Fabrication of a Wearable Flexible Sweat pH Sensor Based on SERS-Active Au/TPU Electrospun Nanofibers

Development of wearable sensing platforms is essential for the advancement of continuous health monitoring and point-of-care testing. Eccrine sweat pH is an analyte that can be noninvasively measured and used to diagnose and aid in monitoring a wide range of physiological conditions. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) offers a rapid, optical technique for fingerprinting of biomarkers present in sweat. In this paper, a mechanically flexible, nanofibrous, SERS-active substrate was fabricated by a combination of electrospinning of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and Au sputter coating. This substrate was then investigated for suitability toward wearable sweat pH sensing after functionalization with two commonly used pH-responsive molecules, 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA), and 4-mercaptopyridine (4-MPy). The developed SERS pH sensor was found to have good resolution (0.14 pH units for 4-MBA; 0.51 pH units for 4-MPy), with only 1 μL of sweat required for a measurement, and displayed no statistically significant difference in performance after 35 days (p = 0.361). Additionally, the Au/TPU nanofibrous SERS pH sensors showed fast sweat-absorbing ability as well as good repeatability and reversibility. The proposed methodology offers a facile route for the fabrication of SERS substrates which could also be used to measure a wide range of health biomarkers beyond sweat pH.

Nanostructure-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering for diagnosis of cancer

Cancer is a malignant disease that seriously affects human health and life. Early diagnosis and timely treatment can significantly improve the survival rate of cancer patients. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is an optical technology that can detect and image samples at the single-molecule level. It has the advantages of rapidity, high specificity, high sensitivity and no damage to the sample. The performance of SERS is highly dependent on the properties, size and morphology of the SERS substrate. Preparation of SERS substrates with good reproducibility and chemical stability is a key factor in realizing the wide application of SERS technology in cancer diagnosis. In this review we provide a detailed presentation of the latest research on SERS in cancer diagnosis and the detection of cancer biomarkers, mainly focusing on nanotechnological approaches in cancer diagnosis by using SERS. We also consider the future development of nanostructure-based SERS in cancer diagnosis.

SERS monitoring of local pH in encapsulated therapeutic cells

Microencapsulation of therapeutic cells has widely advanced toward the development of treatments for various diseases, in particular seeking the protection of cell transplants from immune rejection. However, several challenges in cell therapy remain due to the lack of suitable methods to monitor in vivo microcapsule tracking, microcapsule stability and/or altered cell viability and proliferation upon transplantation. We propose in this work the incorporation of contrast agents in microcapsules, which can be easily visualized by SERS imaging. By placing SERS probes in the alginate extracellular layer, a high contrast can be obtained with negligible toxicity. Specifically, we used a pH-sensitive SERS tracking probe consisting of gold nanostars encoded with a pH-sensitive Raman-active molecule, and protected by a layer of biocompatible polymer coating, grafted on the nanoparticles via electrostatic interactions. This nanomaterial is highly sensitive within the biologically relevant pH range, 5.5-7.8. We demonstrate that this SERS-based pH sensor can provide information about cell death of microencapsulated cells, in a non-invasive manner. As a result, we expect that this approach should provide a general strategy to study biological interactions at the microcapsule level.

Unveiling the interaction of protein fibrils with gold nanoparticles by plasmon enhanced nano-spectroscopy

The development of various degenerative diseases is suggested to be triggered by the uncontrolled organisation and aggregation of proteins into amyloid fibrils. For this reason, there are ongoing efforts to develop novel agents and approaches, including metal nanoparticle-based colloids, that dissolve amyloid structures and prevent pathogenic protein aggregation. In this contribution, the role of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in degrading amyloid fibrils of the model protein lysozyme is investigated. The amino acid composition of fibril surfaces before and after the incubation with AuNPs is determined at the single fibril level by exploiting the high spatial resolution and sensitivity provided by tip-enhanced and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopies. This combined spectroscopic approach allows to reveal the molecular mechanisms driving the interaction between fibrils and AuNPs. Our results provide an important input for the understanding of amyloid fibrils and could have a potential translational impact on the development of strategies for the prevention and treatment of amyloid-related diseases.

Comparison of SERS pH probe responses after microencapsulation within hydrogel matrices

SIGNIFICANCE

Personalized medicine requires the tracking of an individual's metabolite levels over time to detect anomalies and evaluate the body's response to medications. Implanted sensors offer effective means to continuously monitor specific metabolite levels, provided they are accurate, stable over long time periods, and do no harm.

AIM

Four types of hydrogel embedded with pH-sensitive sensors were evaluated for their accuracy, sensitivity, reversibility, longevity, dynamic response, and consistency in static versus dynamic conditions and long-term storage.

APPROACH

Raman spectroscopy was first used to calibrate the intensity of pH-sensitive peaks of the Raman-active hydrogel sensors in a static pH environment. The dynamic response was then assessed for hydrogels exposed to changing pH conditions within a flow cell. Finally, the static pH response after 5 months of storage was determined.

RESULTS

All four types of hydrogels allowed the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors to respond to the pH level of the local environment without introducing interfering signals, resulting in consistent calibration curves. When the pH level changed, the probes in the gels were slow to reach steady-state, requiring several hours, and response times were found to vary among hydrogels. Only one type, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA), lasted five months without significant degradation of dynamic range.

CONCLUSIONS

While all hydrogels appear to be viable candidates as biocompatible hosts for the SERS sensing chemistry, pHEMA was found to be most functionally stable over the long interval tested. Poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels exhibit the most rapid response to changing pH. Since these two gel types are covalently cross-linked and do not generally degrade, they both offer advantages over sodium alginate for use as implants.

Recent Progress of SERS Nanoprobe for pH Detecting and Its Application in Biological Imaging

As pH value almost affects the function of cells and organisms in all aspects, in biology, biochemical and many other research fields, it is necessary to apply simple, intuitive, sensitive, stable detection of pH and base characteristics inside and outside the cell. Therefore, many research groups have explored the design and application of pH probes based on surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). In this review article, we discussed the basic theoretical background of explaining the working mechanism of pH SERS sensors, and also briefly described the significance of cell pH measurement, and simply classified and summarized the factors that affected the performance of pH SERS probes. Some applications of pH probes based on surface enhanced Raman scattering in intracellular and extracellular pH imaging and the combination of other analytical detection techniques are described. Finally, the development prospect of this field is presented.

Advanced Raman Spectroscopy Detection of Oxidative Damage in Nucleic Acid Bases: Probing Chemical Changes and Intermolecular Interactions in Guanosine at Ultralow Concentration

DNA/RNA synthesis precursors are especially vulnerable to damage induced by reactive oxygen species occurring following oxidative stress. Guanosine triphosphates are the prevalent oxidized nucleotides, which can be misincorporated during replication, leading to mutations and cell death. Here, we present a novel method based on micro-Raman spectroscopy, combined with ab initio calculations, for the identification, detection, and quantification of oxidized nucleotides at low concentration. We also show that the Raman signature in the terahertz spectral range (<100 cm^-1) contains information on the intermolecular assembly of guanine in tetrads, which allows us to further boost the oxidative damage detection limit. Eventually, we provide evidence that similar analyses can be carried out on samples in very small volumes at very low concentrations by exploiting the high sensitivity of surface-enhanced Raman scattering combined with properly designed superhydrophobic substrates. These results pave the way for employing such advanced spectroscopic methods for quantitatively sensing the oxidative damage of nucleotides in the cell.

Intracellular imaging and concurrent pH sensing of cancer-derived exosomes using surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Exosomes have attracted significant attention as cancer diagnostic targets and therapeutic agents due to their unique biogenesis and structure. To clarify the biological activities of exosomes, it is important to obtain a picture of their intracellular distribution and how they evolve over time. In this work, a new kind of intracellular exosome imaging and concurrent pH sensing method is demonstrated by using the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique. Specifically, 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4MBA)-tagged silver nanoparticles are attached onto the outer surfaces of exosomes, in which silver nanoparticles are employed as SERS generators. Raman agents 4MBA are susceptible to a specific intracellular stimulus, that is, undergo a protonation or deprotonation in response to intracellular pH variation, which correspondingly exhibit different vibrational spectra features. By using the SERS spectroscopy, tracking of the intracellular distribution of exosomes and the concurrent quantitative sensing of environmental pH were achieved, which demonstrated that, as time prolonged, exosomes first attached with the tumor cell surfaces, and then entered into the cells and accumulated in lysosomes. Such SERS-active hybridized exosomes, that are sensitive to discrete variations in intracellular pH, have proved their capability for the investigation of interactions between exosomes and cells. The spectral diversity and flexible surface modification of these hybridized exosomes are also highly expected in developing multifunctional exosome-based nanoplatforms, which offers great potential to promote the exosome-based therapeutics forward into an advanced stage.

Intracellular pH - Advantages and pitfalls of surface-enhanced Raman scattering and fluorescence microscopy - A review

The value of pH in various parts of protoplasm can affect nearly all aspects of cell functions. Therefore, the determination of intracellular acid-base features is required in many areas of biological and biochemical studies. Because of a significant scientific importance of in vivo intracellular pH measurements, various groups carried out such experiments. In this review article we describe intracellular pH measurements using two the most sensitive optical spectroscopies: surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and fluorescence. It is reasonable to present these two techniques in one review article because the experimental approach in Raman and fluorescence experiments is relatively similar. The basic theoretical background explaining the mechanism of operation of fluorescence and SERS sensors are discussed and the motivations to carry out intracellular pH measurements are briefly described. Future perspectives in this field are also discussed.

Exploiting SERS sensitivity to monitor DNA aggregation properties

In the last decades, DNA has been considered far more than the system carrying the essential genetic instructions. Indeed, because of the remarkable properties of the base-pairing specificity and thermoreversibility of the interactions, DNA plays a central role in the design of innovative architectures at the nanoscale. Here, combining complementary DNA strands with a custom-made solution of silver nanoparticles, we realize plasmonic aggregates to exploit the sensitivity of Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) for the identification/detection of the distinctive features of DNA hybridization, both in solution and on dried samples. Moreover, SERS allows monitoring the DNA aggregation process by following the temperature variation of a specific spectroscopic marker associated with the Watson-Crick hydrogen bond formation. This temperature-dependent behavior enables us to precisely reconstruct the melting profile of the selected DNA sequences by spectroscopic measurements only.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Organic Molecules and Living Cells with Gold-Plated Black Silicon

Black silicon (bSi) refers to an etched silicon surface comprising arrays of microcones that effectively suppress reflection from UV to near-infrared (NIR) while simultaneously enhancing the scattering and absorption of light. This makes bSi covered with a nm-thin layer of plasmonic metal, i.e., gold, an attractive substrate material for sensing of bio-macromolecules and living cells using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The performed Raman measurements accompanied with finite element numerical simulation and density functional theory analysis revealed that at the 785 nm excitation wavelength, the SERS enhancement factor of the bSi/Au substrate is as high as 10⁸ due to a combination of electromagnetic and chemical mechanisms. This finding makes the SERS-active bSi/Au substrate suitable for detecting trace amounts of organic molecules. We demonstrate the outstanding performance of this substrate by highly sensitive and specific detection of a small organic molecule of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid and living C6 rat glioma cell nucleic acids/proteins/lipids. Specifically, the bSi/Au SERS-active substrate offers a unique opportunity to investigate the living cells' malignant transformation using characteristic protein disulfide Raman bands as a marker. Our findings evidence that bSi/Au provides a pathway to the highly sensitive and selective, scalable, and low-cost substrate for lab-on-a-chip SERS biosensors that can be integrated into silicon-based photonics devices.

Comparison of 4-Mercaptobenzoic Acid Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy-Based Methods for pH Determination in Cells

Measurements of cellular pH are used to infer information such as stage of cell cycle, presence of cancer and other diseases, as well as delivery or effect of a therapeutic drug. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) of nanoparticle-based pH probes have been used to interrogate intracellular pH, with the significant advantage of avoiding photobleaching compared to fluorescent indicators. 4-Mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA) is a commonly used pH-sensitive reporter molecule. Intracellular pH sensing by SERS requires analysis of the observed MBA spectrum and spectral interference can affect the pH determination. Background from common cell containers, imaging too few particles, signal-to-noise ratios, and degradation of reporter molecules are among the factors that may alter appropriate SERS-based pH determination in cells. Here, we have compared common methods of spectral analysis to see how different factors alter the calculated pH in Raman maps of MBA functionalized Au nanostars in SW620 cancer cells. The methods included in our comparison use the relative intensity of the ν(COO^-) stretch, chemometric analysis of the ν_8a mode, and analyzing the frequency shift of the ν_8a mode. These methods show different sensitivity to some of these sources of error in live cell experiments. pH determination based on Raman frequency shift appears to give a more reliable pH determination, though in high signal-to-noise environments, intensity ratios may provide better sensitivity to small changes in pH for cellular imaging.

Live-Cell Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Imaging of Intracellular pH: From Two Dimensions to Three Dimensions

Visualization of intracellular pH (i-pH) using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) plays an important role toward understanding of cellular processes including their interactions with nanoparticles. However, conventional two-dimensional SERS imaging often fails to take into consideration changes occurring in the whole-cell volume. We therefore aimed at obtaining a comprehensive i-pH profile of living cells by means of three-dimensional (3D) SERS imaging, thereby visualizing dynamic i-pH distribution changes in a single cell. We devised here a biocompatible and highly stable SERS pH probe, comprising plasmonic gold nanostars functionalized with a pH-sensitive Raman reporter tag-4-mercaptobenzoic acid-and protected by a cationic biocompatible polymer, poly-l-arginine hydrochloride (PA). The positively charged PA coating plays a double role in enhancing cell uptake and providing chemical and colloidal stability in cellular environments. The SERS-active pH probe allowed visualization of local changes in i-pH, such as acidification during nanoparticle (NP) endocytosis. We provide evidence of i-pH changes during NP endocytosis via high-resolution 3D SERS imaging, thereby opening new avenues toward the application of SERS to intracellular studies.

Branched Au Nanoparticles on Nanofibers for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Sensing of Intracellular pH and Extracellular pH Gradients

The development of plasmonic-active nanosensors for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing is important for gaining knowledge on intracellular and extracellular chemical processes, hypoxia detection, and label-free detection of neurotransmitters and metabolites, among other applications in cell biology. The fabrication of SERS nanosensors for optophysiology measurements using substrates such as nanofibers with a uniform distribution of plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) remains a critical hurdle. We report here on a strategy using block copolymer brush-layer templating and ligand exchange for fabricating highly reproducible and stable SERS-active nanofibers with tip diameters down to 60 nm and covered with well-dispersed and uniformly distributed branched AuNPs, which have intrinsic hotspots favoring inherently high plasmonic sensitivity. Among the SERS sensors investigated, those with Au nanostars with short branches [AuNS(S)s] exhibit the greatest SERS sensitivity, as verified also by COMSOL Multiphysics simulations. Functionalization of the AuNS(S)s with the pH-sensitive molecule, 4-mercaptobenzoic acid, led to SERS nanosensors capable of quantifying pH over a linear range of 6.5-9.5, covering the physiological range. These pH nanosensors were shown to be able to detect the intracellular pH as well as extracellular pH gradients of in vitro breast cancer cells with minimal invasiveness and improved SERS sensitivity, along with a high spatial resolution capability.

Reimagining pH Measurement: Utilizing Raman Spectroscopy for Enhanced Accuracy in Phosphoric Acid Systems

Measurement of pH is an integral component of chemical studies and process control; however, traditional pH probes are difficult to utilize in harsh or complex chemical systems. Optical spectroscopy-based online monitoring offers a powerful and novel route for characterizing system parameters, such as pH, and is well adapted to deployment in harsh environments or chemically complex systems. Specifically, Raman spectroscopy combined with chemometric analysis can provide an improved method of online p[H⁺] measurement. Multivariate curve resolution (MCR) analysis of Raman spectra can be utilized to determine speciation as a function of p[H⁺], and the MCR scores assigned to each species can be used to calculate p[H⁺]. Subsequent chemometric modeling can be used to correlate spectral response to p[H⁺]. This was demonstrated with phosphoric acid, a chemical system known to challenge traditional pH probes. Raman spectra exhibit clear changes with pH due to changing speciation, and chemometric modeling can be successfully utilized to correlate those fingerprints to p[H⁺]. With the use of this approach, p[H⁺] of the phosphoric acid system can be accurately measured without foreknowledge of system conditions such as ionic strength.

Enabling Sensitive Phenotypic Profiling of Cancer-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Nanotags

Circulating cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale membranous vesicles shed from cancer cells that are released into surrounding body fluids. Small EVs contain biomolecules associated with cancer such as DNA and proteins for cell-to-cell communication. Therefore, small EVs have been regarded as important cancer biomarkers for liquid biopsy-based cancer diagnosis and drug treatment monitoring. However, because of the high heterogeneity and low level of small EVs in body fluids, there is a high demand for sensitive detection and characterization of such vesicles at a molecular level. In this study, we have developed a sensitive and effective approach to simultaneously profile multiple protein biomarkers expressed on cancer-derived small EVs using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) nanotags in a single test, without complex isolation steps. Rapid and multiplexed phenotypic profiling of small EVs is achieved by mixing specific detection antibody-coated SERS nanotags, filtered conditioned EV-suspended medium (conditioned EVs), and capture antibody (CD63)-conjugated magnetic beads to form a sandwich immunoassay. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, we applied this approach to characterize pancreatic cancer-derived EVs by simultaneously detecting three specific EV surface receptors including Glypican-1, epithelial cell adhesion molecules (EpCAMs), and CD44 variant isoform 6 (CD44V6). The sensitivity of this method was measured down to 2.3 × 10⁶ particles/mL, which is more sensitive and shows higher multiplexing capability than most other reported EV profiling techniques, such as western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and flow cytometry. Furthermore, phenotypic profiling of small EVs from colorectal cancer and bladder cancer cell lines (SW480 and C3) was conducted and compared to those derived from pancreatic cancer (Panc-1), highlighting the significant difference in EV phenotypes for various cancer cell types suspended in both phosphate-buffered saline and plasma. Thus, we believe that this technology enables a comprehensive evaluation of small secreted EV heterogeneity with high sensitivity, offering strong potential for accurate noninvasive cancer diagnosis and monitoring of drug treatment. In addition, this assay provides point-of-care use because of the easy sample preparation and portable nature of the Raman spectrometer.

Dyes from the Ashes: Discovering and Characterizing Natural Dyes from Mineralized Textiles

Vesuvius eruption that destroyed Pompeii in AD 79 represents one of the most important events in history. The cataclysm left behind an abundance of archeological evidence representing a fundamental source of the knowledge we have about ancient Roman material culture and technology. A great number of textiles have been preserved, rarely maintaining traces of their original color, since they are mainly in the mineralized and carbonized state. However, one outstanding textile sample displays a brilliant purple color and traces of gold strips. Since the purple was one of the most exclusive dyes in antiquity, its presence in an important commercial site like Pompeii induces us to deepen the knowledge of such artifacts and provide further information on their history. For this reason, the characterization of the purple color was the main scope of this research, and to deepen the knowledge of such artifacts, the SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering) in solution approach was applied. Then, these data were enriched by HPLC-HRMS analyses, which confirmed SERS-based hypotheses and also allowed to hypothesize the species of the origin mollusk. In this context, a step-by-step integrated approach resulted fundamental to maximize the information content and to provide new data on textile manufacturing and trade in antiquity.

Electrotunable Nanoplasmonics for Amplified Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Tuning the properties of optical metamaterials in real time is one of the grand challenges of photonics. Being able to do so will enable a class of adaptive photonic materials for use in applications such as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy and reflectors/absorbers. One strategy to achieving this goal is based on the electrovariable self-assembly and disassembly of two-dimensional nanoparticle arrays at a metal | liquid interface. As expected, the structure results in plasmonic coupling between NPs in the array but perhaps as importantly between the array and the metal surface. In such a system, the density of the nanoparticle array can be reversibly controlled by the variation of electrode potential. Theory suggests that due to a collective plasmon-coupling effect  less than 1 V variation of electrode potential can give rise to a dramatic simultaneous change in optical reflectivity from ∼93% to ∼1% and the amplification of the SERS signal by up to 5 orders of magnitude. This is experimentally demonstrated using a platform based on the voltage-controlled assembly of 40 nm Au-nanoparticle arrays at a TiN/Ag electrode in contact with an aqueous electrolyte. We show that all the physics underpinning the behavior of this platform works precisely as suggested by the proposed theory, setting the electrochemical nanoplasmonics as a promising direction in photonics research.

Bromide ion-functionalized nanoprobes for sensitive and reliable pH measurement by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

4-Mercaptopyridine (4-Mpy) is a pH reporter molecule commonly used to functionalize nanoprobes for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) based pH measurements. However, nanoprobes functionalized by 4-Mpy alone have low pH sensitivity and are subject to interference by halide ions in sample media. To improve nanoprobe pH sensitivity and reliability, we functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with both 4-Mpy and bromide ion (Br^-). Br^- electrostatically stabilizes protonated 4-Mpy, thus enabling sensitive SERS detection of the protonation state of 4-Mpy as a function of pH while also reducing variability caused by external halide ions. Through optimization of the functionalization parameters, including suspension pH, [4-Mpy], and [Br^-], the developed nanoprobes enable monitoring of pH from 2.1 to 10 with high SERS activity and minimal interference from halide ions within the sample matrix. As a proof of concept, we were able to track nanoprobe location and image the pH distribution inside individual cancer cells. This study provides a novel way to engineer reliable 4-Mpy-functionalized SERS nanoprobes for the sensitive analysis of spatially localized pH features in halide ion-containing microenvironments.

Gold nanostructures for the sensing of pH using a smartphone

Recently, metal nanostructures have been found to be capable of recognizing small changes in their surrounding environment, which can be utilized as significant sensing tools. In this study, we demonstrated colorimetric sensing of pH by gold nanostructures (GNs) using a simple smartphone. An indigenously developed Android app based on the CIELab 1931 analysis, which could run in a smartphone, was used for the precise determination of the pH value of liquid media. The pH value of an unknown solution obtained from the developed Android app was also compared with that obtained from the conventional ratiometric technique and a commercial pH meter. In another endeavor, it was found that the synthesized GNs demonstrated a high energy transfer efficiency from a donor (namely, the rhodamine 6G, (Rh 6G)) dye. This property of the GNs can be utilized further in the future for studying different bimolecular activities within the human body. It was found that the photoluminescence (PL) of Rh 6G was quenched when it was kept in the vicinity of the synthesized GNs, which was explained in terms of the Förster energy transfer mechanism. Thus, the present study will open up a plethora of opportunities for researchers to employ the nanostructures of gold and other metals in developing low-cost and Internet of Things (IoT)-based sensing devices using only a smart phone.