Ultrasensitive detection of E. coliusing bioinspired based platformElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ay01677g

Bacterial infections are a leading cause of mortality worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for effective detection methods. This study introduces a novel approach that combines surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with an electro-optic technique for bacterial detection. The method utilizes a metal–semiconductor substrate that, when activated by an external electric field, significantly amplifies the SERS signal intensity. We validated this approach through a proof-of-concept study, demonstrating that the SERS signal of Gram-negative Escherichia colican be enhanced tenfold by applying an electric field, confirming the method's efficacy for bacterial detection. Our findings highlight the potential of this rapid, label-free biosensor for pathogen detection with near single-cell sensitivity.