Recent progress in the applications of graphene in surface-enhanced Raman scattering and plasmon-induced catalytic reactions

Abstract

Graphene continues to attract tremendous interest, owing to its excellent optical and electronic properties. On the basis of its unique features, graphene has been employed in the ever-expanding research fields. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) may be one of the significant applied fields where graphene can make a difference. Since its discovery, SERS technique has been capable of ultra sensitively detecting chemical and biological molecules at very low concentration, even at single molecule level, but some problems, such as irreproducible SERS signals, should be overcome before practical application on spectra analysis. Graphene can be a promising candidate to make up the deficiency of conventional metal SERS substrate. Furthermore, graphene, serving as the enhancement material, is usually deemed as a chemically inert substance to isolate the interactions between metal and probe molecules. While, irradiated by laser, structure changes of graphene under specific conditions and the contributions of its high electron mobility in plasmoninduced catalytic reactions are often ignored. In this review, we mainly focus on the state-of-the-art applications of graphene in the fields of SERS and laser-induced catalytic reactions. The advances of informative Raman spectra of graphene are firstly reviewed. Then, the graphene related SERS substrates, including graphene-enhanced Raman scattering (GERS) and graphene-mediated SERS (G-SERS), are summarized. We finally highlight the catalytic reactions occurring on graphene itself and molecules adsorbed onto graphene upon laser irradiation.In this review, we mainly focus on the state-of-the-art applications of graphene in the fields of Surfaceenhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and plasmon-induced catalytic reactions. The advances of informative Raman spectra of graphene are firstly reviewed. Then, the graphene related SERS substrates, including graphene-enhanced Raman scattering (GERS) and graphene-mediated SERS (G-SERS), are summarized. We finally highlight the catalytic reactions occurring on graphene itself and molecules adsorbed onto graphene upon laser irradiation.

Exciton-plasmon coupling interactions: from principle to applications

“…The left image shows local surface plasmas caused by collective oscillations of charge on the surface of metal nanoparticles [47]. The right image is the distribution of the EM field intensity, which is simulated by the finite element method [166].…”

High-performance SERS substrate based on hybrid structure of graphene oxide/AgNPs/Cu film@pyramid Si

“…The Raman spectra of R6G with concentration of 10 −15 M can be easily detected on the GO/AgNPs/PCu@Si substrate, where the intensity of the peaks at 613 cm −1 is about 2 times stronger than that of the AgNPs/PCu@Si substrate. This phenomenon can be attributed to the excellent bio-compatibility of GO, which can serve as a superior molecule-enricher and enhance the Raman signal2425262728. Because the higher intensity of the Raman spectra of R6G compared with that of the GO, the Raman spectra of the GO become few obvious, but it still can be seen in the Fig.…”

Molecular sensitivity of metal nanoparticles decorated graphene‐family nanomaterials as surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platforms

“…Graphene‐decorated with metal nanocrystals are attracting a great deal of attention. For instance, the inclusion of metal (Fe, Gd, and Al), alkali metal (Li, Na, and K), and coinage metal nanoparticles (Cu, Ag, and Au) onto GFNs result in SERS, better electrocatalytic activity, increased sensitivity, and specificity in chemical, electrochemical sensing, and DNA detection . The GFNs are proposed for Raman enhancement, termed as graphene‐mediated surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (G‐SERS) in comparison with other substrates .…”