Recent Development of SERS Technology: Semiconductor-Based Study

As a new analytical technology, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has received increasing attention, and researchers have discovered the importance of SERS-active materials. Considerable effort has been made by researchers to develop multiperformance and multipurpose SERS-active substrates ranging from coinage metals to transition metals and semiconductor materials. SERS-active substrates are critical for obtaining accurate and reproducible spectral information. Among all the substrate materials, semiconductors are considered one of the most promising materials, as they exhibit high chemical stability, good biocompatibility, high carrier mobility, and good controllability during fabrication. Here, we provide an overview of SERS enhancement mechanisms based on semiconductor materials, such as inorganic semiconductors, metal/semiconductor composites, and organic semiconductors.