Nanoplasmonic Biosensors: A Comprehensive Overview and Future Prospects

Recent nanotechnological advancements have resulted in a paradigm shift in biosensing applications through the advent of nanoplasmonic biosensors. These devices integrate nanomaterials with phenomena like surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and localized SPR (LSPR) to address the critical diagnostic and analytical needs across medicine, food safety, and drug discovery. Leveraging metals like gold and silver, these sensors exhibit enhanced optical and electronic properties, enabling the detection of biomolecules at ultralow concentrations. However, despite their transformative potential, challenges concerning stability, reproducibility, cost-efficiency, and scalability impede widespread implementation. This review offers a rigorous analysis of nanoplasmonic biosensors, emphasizing their underlying operational mechanisms and diverse applications. It also delves into design paradigms, fabrication protocols, and optimization strategies while concurrently examining prevailing challenges and prospective advancements. Furthermore, it highlights emerging trends, such as hybrid plasmonic nanostructures, conferring advantages in miniaturization, automation, and high-throughput analysis, thereby establishing a robust foundation for future innovation in the field.