Fabrication of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Substrates in Analytical Science by Natural-inspired Materials: A Review

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy, as a novel rapid detectiontechnology, offers molecular fingerprinting capabilities that achieve trace-level detection. The key tooptimizing SERS sensitivity and reliability lies in the precise control of the nanostructures of SERSsubstrates. Nature, through billions of years of evolution, has served as a masterful creator, developingorganisms with remarkable abilities based on micro/nanostructures, such as the superhydrophobicityof lotus leaves and the strong adhesive forces of gecko feet. This review categorizes the recentdevelopments in SERS substrates inspired by natural materials into three main types: plant-based,animal-based, and virus-based. Each category is explored in detail, describing how their uniquenanoarchitectures inspire the development of highly sensitive SERS substrates, along with their fabricationmethods and applications in analytical science. Additionally, the review identifies currentchallenges, such as the uniformity and scalability of naturally inspired SERS substrates and suggestsfuture directions, including the integration of hybrid biomimetic structures and advanced manufacturingtechniques. By fostering a deeper understanding of these nature-inspired materials, we aim toenhance the practical application of SERS in analytical science in the future.