Advancements in surface plasmon resonance sensors for real-time detection of chemical analytes: sensing materials and applications

Chemicals are being used in various fields with the development of industry, but the importance of human safety from chemical exposure is becoming increasingly evident. Traditional detection methods, which analyze analytes through preprocessing, have limitations in real-time applications. In contrast, LSPR and SPR sensors, which can rapidly and accurately detect chemicals in real time, are among the most reliable methods for protecting against chemical threats. LSPR and SPR sensors detect minute interactions between sensing materials and chemicals through changes in absorbance and refractive index, enabling the accurate detection of even the smallest changes. To maximize the performance of LSPR and SPR sensors capable of real-time detection and apply them across various fields, ongoing research has focused on innovative materials, fabrication techniques, and nanostructures. The future perspectives on sensing materials for real-time detection technologies used by LSPR and SPR sensors are discussed. This review presents guidelines for selecting sensing materials for use in LSPR and SPR sensors in real-time applications.