Accessing Both Electrochemical SEIRA and SERS With Highly Sensitive Metamaterials for Enhanced Molecular Identification
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Surface-enhanced IR absorption (SEIRA) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) are complementary techniques that allow for highly sensitive chemical fingerprinting. Non-invasive optical sensing would be significantly improved by a robust implementation of a reusable substrate that combines these techniques. Here, we present an electrochemically cleanable metamaterial that enables flow-compatible real-time SEIRA and SERS. This metamaterial facilitates the study of surface-adsorbed species and diffusion layers, elicits spectral shifts from changes in nanogap refractive index of 1400 nm/RIU, and delivers sensitive analyte detection. Combining SERS and SEIRA clarifies molecular (electro)chemical transformations and tracks changes in selection rules and symmetry breaking at the analyte-electrode interface. This development in enhanced multimodal spectro-electrochemistry is suited for multiple domains, including understanding charge transport mechanisms and interfacial dynamics at electrodes, and is capable of real-time flow monitoring for a wide range of molecular processes.
Source: Small
DOI: 10.1002/smll.76283
Language: English
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,790
Funders: AstraZeneca, TU Graz, Internationale Beziehungen und Mobilitätsprogramme, UK Research and Innovation, University of Warwick, Austrian Science Fund, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Magdalene College, University of Cambridge, European Research Council
Awards: G1092343410, EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Topological Design, G121084387, G1358014364, G1671557147, G1841459333, G1841858939, EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Sensor Technologies and Application, G2158296250, G2430292578, Reconstructable Nano-Opto-Mechanical Metamaterials (ReNOMM), G276469594, G2984190673, The Materials and Molecular Modelling Hub, G3235141789, G340479512, G3442159945, G3560160643, Ubiquitous Optical Healthcare Technologies (ubOHT) Programme Grant, Sulis: An EPSRC platform for ensemble computing delivered by HPC Midlands+, PULGON: Phonons Understood via Line Groups Of Nanomaterials, Mid-IR vibration-assisted luminescence & spectroscopies (MIRVALS), Mid-IR vibration-assisted luminescence & spectroscopies (MIRVALS), Understanding Thermal Transport in Organic Semiconductors, G4024150276, G417250887, G4361872248, EPSRC Hub for 3D Nanoscale Metamaterials to deliver a sustainable future ("MetaHub"), G4926987647, G5012927622, Baskerville 2.0: Enhanced Provision for High End and On-Demand Users, Chip-scale Atomic Systems for a Quantum Navigator, G5425546823, G5438572437, G563088842, heat-Free nano-Soldering with in-situ Imaging (FreeSolderImaging), G6297747150, Mid-Infrared Vibrational-Assisted Detectors (MIRVID), G6770599008, G694098485, Baskerville: a national accelerated compute resource, Tier 2 Hub in Materials and Molecular Modelling, EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable and Functional Nano, G7570053001, G8195651870, Introducing heterogeneous HPC solutions to UK's MMM community, G8997374688, G9000335479, G90098195
OpenAlex ID: W7222298490