50 years of Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy!

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has undergone a remarkable evolution over the past fifty years, transforming from a nascent phenomenon into a powerful analytical technique with diverse applications. Together with a remarkable number of experts in this field Janina Kneipp traced the historical trajectory of SERS, from its initial discovery and early challenges to its current renaissance driven by advancements in nanoscience and plasmonics. They analyzed key phases in SERS development, highlighting the critical role of innovative methodologies in overcoming limitations and expanding the technique's versatility. By examining the journeys of SERS and its related techniques, such as TERS and SHINERS, they aim to extract valuable lessons for future scientific endeavors, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, perseverance in the face of challenges, and a proactive embrace of emerging technologies. If you want a comprehensive overview about this technique Check out their Review in Chemical Society Reviews! 

Abstract

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has evolved significantly over fifty years into a powerful analytical technique. This review aims to achieve five main goals. (1) Providing a comprehensive history of SERS's discovery, its experimental and theoretical foundations, its connections to advances in nanoscience and plasmonics, and highlighting collective contributions of key pioneers. (2) Classifying four pivotal phases from the view of innovative methodologies in the fifty-year progression: initial development (mid-1970s to mid-1980s), downturn (mid-1980s to mid-1990s), nano-driven transformation (mid-1990s to mid-2010s), and recent boom (mid-2010s onwards). (3) Illuminating the entire journey and framework of SERS and its family members such as tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) and shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) and highlighting the trajectory. (4) Emphasizing the importance of innovative methods to overcome developmental bottlenecks, thereby expanding the material, morphology, and molecule generalities to leverage SERS as a versatile technique for broad applications. (5) Extracting the invaluable spirit of groundbreaking discovery and perseverant innovations from the pioneers and trailblazers. These key inspirations include proactively embracing and leveraging emerging scientific technologies, fostering interdisciplinary cooperation to transform the impossible into reality, and persistently searching to break bottlenecks even during low-tide periods, as luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.