This review reveals enhancement mechanisms and performance of non-noble metal SERS substrates for detecting food contaminants, suggesting improvements in food safety monitoring.
Key Points
Heavy metal pollutants and pesticide residues are detected using non-noble metal substrates in food safety applications.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering offers unique molecular fingerprinting capabilities with high sensitivity.
Emerging materials like metal oxides and transition-metal chalcogenides enhance signal amplification through charge transfer mechanisms.
Further advancements are required to address challenges about substrate stability and improve standardized protocols.