Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Quantitative Analysis: Results of a Large-Scale European Multi-Instrument...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) offers high sensitivity for molecular detection and surface reaction studies.
• Quantitative SERS applications are diverse, but few methods are validated, hindering use in regulated fields due to reproducibility concerns.
• Interlaboratory studies (ILS) assess analytical method quality, but none have been conducted for quantitative SERS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct the first interlaboratory study (ILS) on quantitative Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) methods.
• To establish a methodology for assessing the reproducibility and trueness of quantitative SERS methods.
• To compare different SERS quantification approaches and address the perception of poor robustness.

Main Methods:

• An interlaboratory study involving 15 laboratories and 44 researchers was organized.
• The study focused on defining and evaluating a methodology for assessing quantitative SERS performance.
• Different SERS quantification methods were compared across participating laboratories.

Main Results:

• The study successfully initiated the first ILS for quantitative SERS.
• A framework for evaluating SERS method reproducibility and trueness was explored.
• The collaborative effort provided insights into comparing diverse SERS quantification strategies.

Conclusions:

• This interlaboratory study represents a crucial first step towards the standardization of SERS protocols.
• Addressing the perception of SERS as unreliable requires community-driven validation efforts.
• The findings pave the way for increased confidence and routine implementation of quantitative SERS in various fields.