Recent advances of metal cluster-based SERS probes for biomedical applications

Abstract

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), as a revolutionary technology, has made remarkable progress in the field of biomedical applications in recent years, particularly in the development and functional applications of metal cluster-based substrates. This review systematically summarizes the latest advancements in the SERS field, focusing on advanced substrate materials and their enhancement mechanisms. Special attention is given to the biomedical applications of metal cluster-based substrates in SERS sensing and imaging. The role of density functional theory (DFT) in uncovering the enhancement mechanisms is also discussed. Finally, the current challenges of metal cluster-based SERS probes are analyzed and the future prospects of their applications in high-sensitivity detection, precision medicine, and multimodal imaging are explored. This review provides valuable theoretical and experimental insights for the further development and application of metal cluster-based SERS technology.