The evolution and recent research trends of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering sensors using plasmonics: Citation network analysis

The surface enhancement of Raman scattering of molecules in contact with plasmonic substrates revitalized the field of sensors. Since its discovery in the 1970s, many experimental and theoretical studies have been aimed at understanding the effect of different types of plasmonic nanomaterials on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and how it can be applied in different forms of ultrasensitive sensing. In this work, the trajectory of global evolution and emerging research trends as well as the different prospects for surface enhanced Raman scattering sensors using plasmonics are systematically examined using citation network analysis. The growth curve, the number of papers published each year indicates that research activities are still in the emerging stage. We obtained the global main path of the on-going research and examined each node to identify major milestones and emerging research fronts. The cluster analysis of the available Web of Science (WoS) data was also done.