Attenuated total reflection surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy as a tool for studying modified electrode surfaces with biosensing applications

The use of attenuated total reflection surface enhanced infrared spectroscopy (ATR-SEIRAS) for studying modified surfaces with electrochemical biosensing applications and implications is reviewed. Emphasis is placed on strategies involving modification of the nanostructured films that generate IR surface enhancement in ATR-SEIRAS. This can be achieved either through chemical modification or the use of supported biomimetic bilayers. The former includes self-assembled monolayers with biorecognition functionalities such as aptamers and antibodies and allows qualitative and quantitative detection. The latter approach provides opportunities to build biosensing motifs by embedding electric-field gated membrane proteins and peptides in a supported bilayer. In both strategies, the use of electrochemical ATR-SEIRAS for target molecule detection as well as its important role as a characterization tool are discussed. A perspective is provided on solving the challenges currently limiting the use of ATR-SEIRAS for electrochemical biosensing applications.