SERS and Contemporary selenium research

The ongoing efforts in the synthesis of selenium (Se) containing molecules have led to the emergence of various potential applications and have spurred additional investigative studies, especially those using spectroscopic techniques. With the use of ultra-sensitive techniques such as Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), a new dimension of Se research has emerged, providing prospective opportunities for the development of Se-containing materials. This advancement also extends to related main group elements materials, especially those which are sulfur and tellurium-containing. Selenium compounds of many different designs can be interrogated, as has been done with sulfur, often using a chosen (roughened) substrate. The substrate itself may also contain Se center. This review article presents the recent developments in Se and SERS chemistry, highlingthing key advances in enhancement factors, since the 2020 review by Langer et al. (Nano, 2019, 14(1), 28-117). The types of materials mentioned in this paper include nanosheets, surface coatings, nanoshell cores, graphene derivatives, and thin films. Finally, we provide a future outlook on the direction of Se and SERS-based research.