In SERS analysis, the specificity of molecular fingerprints is combined with potential single-molecule sensitivity so that is an attractive tool to detect molecules in trace amounts. Although several substrates have been widely used from early on, there are still some problems such as the difficulties to bind some molecules to the substrate. With the development of nanotechnology, an increasing interest has been focused on plasmonic metal nanoparticles hybridized with (2D) nanomaterials due to their unique properties. More frequently, the excellent properties of the hybrids compounds have been used to improve the drawbacks of the SERS platforms in order to create a system with outstanding properties. In this review, the physics and working principles of SERS will be provided along with the properties of differently shaped metal nanoparticles. After that, an overview on how the hybrid compounds can be engineered to obtain the SERS platform with unique properties will be given.

The recent progresses in the research of plasmonic phenomena and materials paved the route toward the development of optical sensing platforms based on metal nanostructures with a great potential to be integrated into point-of-care (POC) devices for the next generation of sensing platforms, thus enabling real-time, highly sensitive and accurate diagnostics. In this review, firstly, the optical properties of plasmonic metal nanoparticles will be illustrated, whereafter the engineering of POC platforms, such as microfluidics and readout systems, will be considered with another critical point which is surface functionalization. Attention will also be given to their potential in multiplexed analysis. Finally, the limitations for effective implementation in real diagnostics will be illustrated with a special emphasis on the latest trend in developing cutting-edge sensing systems.

Plasmonic phenomena and materials have been extensively investigated for a long time and gained popularity in the last few years, finding in the design of the biosensors platforms promising applications offering devices with excellent performances. Hybrid systems composed of graphene, or other 2D materials, and plasmonic metal nanostructures present extraordinary optical properties originated from the synergic connection between plasmonic optical effects and the unusual physicochemical properties of 2D materials, thus improving their application in a broad range of fields. In this work, firstly, an overview of the structures and properties of 2D nanomaterials will be provided along with the physics of surface plasmon resonance and localized surface plasmon resonance. In the second part of the work, some examples of colorimetric biosensors exploiting the outstanding properties of hybrids nanocomposites will be presented. Finally, concluding perspectives on the actual status, challenges, and future directions in plasmonic sensing biosensing will be provided. Special emphasis will be given to how this technology can be used to support digitalization and virtualization in pandemic handling.

Nowadays is increasing the demand for miniaturized, user-friendly, automated, and portable sensing systems able to provide a fast and reliable response. In this context, colorimetric detection has emerged for its intrinsic advantages, such as simplicity and rapidity, but also for the outstanding development of novel materials, such as plasmonic nanoparticles, and new technologies. Here, the Color Picker system, a system reproducing in the ba has been developed and tested on a plasmonic paper. The aim is to provide a tool for a colorimetric detection that can be successively integrated in next generation diagnostic devices for real world applications.

This study identifies the optimal conditions for enhancing the performance of the Color Picker System, a device designed for colorimetric sensing using plasmonic paper. A simulation study was conducted toanalyze the transmittance spectra of plasmonic paper embedded in different mixtures, resulting in a comprehensive color chart that includes the chromatic response as well as the RGB values of transmitted light. The filtering properties of the plasmonic paper were evaluated through colorimetric analysis, combining the transmittance characteristics with the spectrum of different light sources. Optimizing the correlation between these filtering properties and the light source enhances both sensitivity and precision. Arrays of nanoparticles with high absorbance, combined with Cold LED light sources, emerge as ideal components for the device set-up. Among the light sources tested, the White LED uniquely generates a red signal while producing the most significant variations in the green channel. In contrast, the Cold LED and Xenon Arc lamp produce the strongest colorimetric signals in the blue channel. This study provides a deep understanding of the filtering properties of plasmonic paper, opening a new way for the implementation of nanoparticle arrays in colorimetric sensing.

Effective water quality monitoring is very important for detecting pollution and protecting public health. However, traditional methods are slow, relying on costly equipment, central laboratories, and expert staffing, which delays real-time measurements. At the same time, significant advancements have been made in the field of plasmonic sensing technologies, making them ideal for environmental monitoring. However, their reliance on large, expensive spectrometers limits accessibility. This work aims to bridge the gap between advanced plasmonic sensing and practical water monitoring needs, by integrating plasmonic sensors with mobile technology. We present BioColor, a mobile platform that consists of a plasmonic sensor setup, mobile application, and cloud services. The platform processes captured colorimetric sensor images in real-time using optimized image processing algorithms, including region-of-interest segmentation, color extraction (mean and dominant), and comparison via the CIEDE2000 metric. The results are visualized within the mobile app, providing instant and automated access to the sensing outcome. In our validation experiments, the system consistently measured color differences in various sensor images captured under media with different refractive indices. A user experience test with 12 participants demonstrated excellent usability, resulting in a System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 93. The BioColor platform brings advanced sensing capabilities from hardware into software, making environmental monitoring more accessible, efficient, and continuous.