Two-dimensional nanomaterial-based plasmonic sensing applications: Advances and challenges

Plasmonic sensors have been steadily gaining popularity in the fields of biochemical analysis, disease diagnosis and environmental monitoring. Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are extensively used in the plasmonic sensing due to their attractive physicochemical properties. In this review, we first present the structures and properties of 2D nanomaterials. Then we discuss the synthesis methods of 2D nanomaterials, including the top-down and bottom-up approaches, as well as the fabrication method of 2D nanomaterial-based plasmonic sensor. Thereafter, we elaborate on the recent research advances in the use of 2D nanomaterials for plasmonic sensing including localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensing, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing. Finally, we provide concluding perspectives on the current status, challenges, and future directions of 2D nanomaterials in the plasmonic sensing applications.