Semiconductor-enhanced Raman scattering: active nanomaterials and applications

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active nanomaterials have extended from noble metals and transition metals to semiconductor materials, since the first discovery of SERS in the mid-1970s. In comparison with metal substrates and transition metals, semiconductor materials have additional optical and electrical properties besides SERS enhancement ability, which enable them to display remarkable charge-transfer enhancement and catalytic ability. Moreover, their superior biocompatibility allows these nanomaterials to have great potential applications in bioscience. Herein we highlight the fast growing research field focusing on SERS-active semiconductor nanomaterials and semiconductor-other material heterostructures developed in our group as well as in other related research studies. The material size, morphology and assembly-dependent SERS enhancement have been discussed in detail. Furthermore, a variety of promising applications of semiconductor-enhanced Raman scattering in photoelectric characterization, redox biochemistry, sensing, and the catalytic degradation of organic pollutants are introduced.