Trends and Advances in Wearable Plasmonic Sensors Utilizing Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS): A Comprehensive Review

Wearable sensors have appeared as a promising solution for real-time, non-invasive monitoring in diverse fields, including healthcare, environmental sensing, and wearable electronics. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based sensors leverage the unique properties of SERS, such as plasmonic signal enhancement, high molecular specificity, and the potential for single-molecule detection, to detect and identify a wide range of analytes with ultra-high sensitivity and molecular selectivity. However, it is important to note that wearable sensors utilize various sensing mechanisms, and not all rely on SERS technology, as their design depends on the specific application. This comprehensive review highlights the recent trends and advancements in wearable plasmonic sensing technologies, focusing on their design, fabrication, and integration into practical wearable devices. Key innovations in material selection, such as the use of nanomaterials and flexible substrates, have significantly enhanced sensor performance and wearability. Moreover, we discuss challenges such as miniaturization, power consumption, and long-term stability, along with potential solutions to address these issues. Finally, the outlook for wearable plasmonic sensing technologies is presented, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary research to drive the next generation of smart wearables capable of real-time health diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and beyond.