Versatile metal graphitic nanocapsules for SERS bioanalysis

A comprehensive summary toward the unique properties of the novel graphitic nanomaterial of metal graphitic nanocapsules (MGNs) and their applications in SERS biodetection and bioimaging were presented here. [Display omitted] The novel graphitic nanomaterial of metal graphitic nanocapsules (MGNs) with superior stability, unique optical properties and biocompatibility possess great potential in biomedical and bioanalytical applications. The graphitic shell can quench the background fluorescence interference from external environments via a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) process and even avoid unnecessary reactions catalyzed by inner metal core. The graphitic shell with several characteristic Raman bands itself can act as Raman signal probe or internal standard (IS), especially the 2D-band within the cellular Raman-silent region helps to reduce the interference signals from external conditions. The present context attempts to give a comprehensive overview about the preparation and unique properties of MGNs as well as their applications in SERS biodetection and bioimaging.