Mesoporous materials as platforms for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Raman spectroscopy is one of the most sensitive analytical techniques with the possibility of reaching single molecule detection through the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Mesoporous materials, which exhibit an organized porosity in the 2-10 nm range, represent an advanced platform for developing SERS-based systems and devices for multipurpose applications. The reproducibility of the SERS measures, which is limited by the low stability of colloidal nanoparticles, can be improved by incorporating the active species into a proper matrix. The combination of plasmonic structures and mesoporous materials offer some advantages which can be exploited for selective and sensitive detection of analytes. In the present review, the main findings of mesoporous-based SERS systems are critically revised and the future perspectives are envisaged. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.