Recent advancements in the applications of separation and enrichment strategies towards SERS detection

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has become an indispensable analytical tool owing to its exceptional sensitivity and molecular specificity. The integration of advanced separation and enrichment strategies with SERS has propelled its capabilities, offering enhanced performance in complex sample matrices. This review delves into the recent progress in combining these strategies with SERS detection, highlighting the synergistic effects that improve detection limits and selectivity. Key developments include the use of interfacial separation and enrichment, magnetic separation, microfluidic-based separation and enrichment, membrane adsorption, and other methods. These methodologies not only facilitate the pre-concentration and isolation of target analytes but also mitigate interferences, thereby enhancing the overall analytical performance. We analyze the fundamental mechanisms, practical implementations, and the interplay between various strategies that contribute to the excellent SERS performance. The review also addresses the challenges and potential solutions in real-world applications, underscoring the importance of interdisciplinary approaches. Future perspectives are provided, emphasizing the need for continued innovation in combined separation and enrichment techniques to fully exploit the potential of SERS technique in diverse scientific and industrial applications.