In the wake of a global, heightened interest towards biomarker and disease detection prompted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) positions itself again at the forefront of biosensing innovation. But is it ready to move from the laboratory to the clinic? This review presents the challenges associated with the application of SERS to the biomedical field, and thus, to the use of excitation sources in the near infrared, where biological windows allow for cell and through-tissue measurements. Two main tackling strategies will be discussed: (1) acting on the design of the enhancing substrate, which includes manipulation of nanoparticle shape, material, and supramolecular architecture, and (2) acting on the spectral collection set-up. A final perspective highlights the upcoming scientific and technological bets that need to be won in order for SERS to stably transition from benchtop to bedside.

Photocatalytic and antibacterial activity of nanoparticles are strongly governed by their morphology. By varying the type of solvent used, one can obtain different shapes of ZnO nanoparticles and tune the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and metal ion (Zn²⁺) generation, which in turn dictates their activity. ZnO nanostructures were fabricated via facile wet chemical method by varying the type of solvents. Solar light assisted photocatalytic degradation of caffeine and antibacterial activity against E. coli were examined in presence ZnO nanostructures. In addition to an elaborate nanoparticle characterization, adsorption and kinetic experiments were performed to determine the ability of nanostructures to degrade caffeine. Zone of inhibition, time kill assay and electron microscopy imaging were carried out to assess the antibacterial activity. Experimental findings indicate that ZnO nanospheres generated maximum ROS and Zn²⁺ ions followed by ZnO nanopetals and ZnO nanorods. As a result, ZnO nanospheres exhibited highest degradation of caffeine as well as killing of E. coli. While ROS is mainly responsible for the photocatalytic activity of nanostructures, their antibacterial activity is mostly due to the combination of ROS, metal ion, physical attrition and cell internalization.

Diclofenac (DCF), a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is a commonly detected substance that readily accumulates in tissues of aquatic fish and poses a threat to wildlife and freshwater quality. Advanced Oxidation Processes have been employed as an alternative due to the inadequacy of conventional treatment methods of trace contaminants. This study utilized an innovative method of solar-activation of TiO₂ using Eosin-Y dye for the degradation of DCF. Furthermore, the study incorporated a central composite design (CCD) to optimize the dye concentration and estimated the cost for the present process. Optimized parameters for light intensity (750 mW/cm²), Eosin-Y dye concentration (2 mg/L), TiO₂ loading (37.5 mg/cm²) and DCF concentration (25 mg/L) were determined through a CCD. The optimized parameters convey a DCF degradation rate of 40% and 49% for 2 ppm (low range) and 4 ppm (high range) dye concentrations, respectively, for a 5-minute reaction time. Cost estimation for the materials used was for the current process was also performed. It was determined that the additional cost of using 4 ppm instead of 2 ppm to achieve only 10% more DCF degradation is not warranted and would require additional treatment to remove subsequently formed halogenated compounds.