Putting surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to work for nanozyme research: Methods, materials and applications

Some functional nanomaterials can be used as both nanozymes and SERS substrates, thus a variety of nanozyme-SERS systems have been constructed, which have been broadly applicable in many fields. In this review, we will systematically present the recent development of the fabrication, properties and applications of the nanozyme-SERS systems. First, the fundamentals of the nanozymes and SERS technique have been introduced. Then, the classification of nanozyme-SERS systems is demonstrated. To further illustrate the SERS enhancement and the catalytic mechanisms, the influence factors such as light excitation, the introduction of the reducing reagents and metal ions, environmental conditions on the properties of nanozyme-SERS systems have been discussed. In the following, their applications for sensing, disease diagnosis and therapy, food safety, immunoassay, and environmental monitoring are reviewed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives to construct new nanozyme-SERS systems for more practical applications are featured.