Recent progress in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy for the detection of environmental pollutants

• DOI: 10.1007/s00604-013-1115-3
• Publication Date: 2013-11-09T03:24:15Z
• Authors: Da-Wei Li; Wen-Lei Zhai; Yuan-Ting Li; Yi-Tao Long
• Keywords: 13. Climate action; 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences; 3. Good health

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as one of the most promising analytical tools in recent years. Due to advantageous features such as sensitivity, specificity, ease of operation and rapidity, SERS is particularly well suited for environmental analysis. We summarize here some considerations with respect to the detection of pollutants by SERS and provide an overview on recent achievements in the determination of organic pollutants, heavy metal ions, and pathogens. Following an introduction into the topic and considering aspects of sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility and portability, we are summarizing applications of SERS in the detection of pollutants, with sections on organic pollutants (pesticides, PAHs and PCBs, explosives), on heavy metal ions, and on pathogens. In addition, we discuss current challenges and give an outlook on applications of SERS in environmental analysis. Contains 174 references.