Near-infrared II plasmonic porous cubic nanoshells for in vivo noninvasive SERS visualization of sub-millimeter microtumors

Abstract

In vivo surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) imaging allows non-invasive visualization of tumors for intraoperative guidance and clinical diagnostics. However, the in vivo utility of SERS is greatly hampered by the strong optical scattering and autofluorescence background of biological tissues and the lack of highly active plasmonic nanostructures. Herein, we report a class of porous nanostructures comprising a cubic AuAg alloy nanoshell and numerous nanopores. Such porous nanostructures exhibit excellent near-infrared II plasmonic properties tunable in a broad spectral range by varying the pore features while maintaining a small dimension. We demonstrate their exceptional near-infrared II SERS performance varying with the porous properties. Additionally, near-infrared II SERS probes created with porous cubic AuAg nanoshells are demonstrated with remarkable capability for in vivo visualization of sub-millimeter microtumors in a living mouse model. Our near-infrared II SERS probes hold great potentials for precise demarcation of tumor margins and identification of microscopic tumors.

Optical biosensing systems for a biological living body

“…By controlling the features of the pore structures in the nanoshells, it is possible to tune the plasmonic properties of designed AuAg nanoshells over the broad NIR‐II range. They then validated the AuAg‐nanoshells‐based SERS probe for its non‐invasive and highly accurate in vivo imaging of tumor tissues, especially microscopic tumors, in the second window of NIR on a mouse model, demonstrating its great promise for microtumor identification and accurate tumor tracing 191 (Figure 9F).…”

Quantitative Label-Free SERS Detection of Trace Fentanyl in Biofluids with a Freestanding Hydrophobic Plasmonic Paper Biosensor

“…These prominent features make SERS quite suitable for label-free detection of fentanyl directly in biofluids. In previous studies, the SERS detection was principally performed by either using plasmonic substrates of nanojunctions, nanogaps, and sharp tips or enriching the analytes in the “hot spots”. − However, the issues of low reproducibility and poor reliability of SERS detection arise due to the random distribution of “hot spots” or the formation of a “coffee ring” effect in the dry state. , …”

Apex-Confined Plasmonic Tip for High Resolution Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic Imaging of Carbon Nanotubes

“…Years later, a huge near-field enhancement at scanning probe tips was discovered and demonstrated. , Empirical evidence of locally confined and enhanced Raman scattering was given in 2000, where enhanced Raman spectra were acquired using a nanometer-sized gold or silver tip. During the past decade, the number of publications related to various aspects of SERS/TERS has been steadily growing. − …”