SERS-fluorescent encoded particles as dual-mode optical probes

Abstract Dual-mode optical platforms combining fluorescence (or metal-enhanced fluorescence, MEF) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals into a single probe are emerging as powerful sensing analytical tools, especially in biomedical applications. SERS–fluorescence encoded particles (SFEPs) combine the unique advantages of fluorescence spectroscopy for the rapid read-out over a large area with the high-level of multiplexing and specificity of SERS. This review aims to provide a detailed summary and a critical discussion on the developments of these materials. This will start by highlighting fundamental aspects of the two techniques, then presenting their main building units and corresponding assembling designs and, finally, providing illustrative examples of potential applications.