Progress of Microfluidics Combined with SERS Technology in the Trace Detection of Harmful Substances

Abstract

The combination of microfluidic technology and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has the advantages of being label-free, fingerprint spectroscopy, and high sensitivity, which giving the combination great potential for rapid trace-level biological and environmental analysis. In this review, we summarized the recent progress in these two fields, e.g., microfluidics and SERS, including the basic strategies of a simple and versatile microfluidic-SERS detection system and its wide-ranging applications. Moreover, we listed the main challenges and future directions of the microfluidic-SERS systems; proposed on-chip applications beyond SERS; developed a more efficient, more sensitive, and more convenient microfluidic-SERS system; and formed a more complete on-site real-time detection technology.