Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering in the Ultraviolet Spectral Region:  UV-SERS on Rhodium and Ruthenium Electrodes

• Published in: Journal of the American Chemical Society Vol. 125; no. 32; pp. 9598 - 9599
• Main Authors: Ren, Bin, Lin, Xu-Feng, Yang, Zhi-Lin, Liu, Guo-Kun, Aroca, Ricardo F, Mao, Bing-Wei, Tian, Zhong-Qun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 13.08.2003
• Subjects: Adsorption; Chemistry; Electrochemistry; Electrodes; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Pyridines - chemistry; Rhodium - chemistry; Ruthenium - chemistry; Scattering, Radiation; Spectrum Analysis, Raman - methods; Study of interfaces; Thiocyanates - chemistry; Ultraviolet Rays; Electrode adsorption; Ruthenium; Nitrogen heterocycle; Electrode electrolyte interface; Solid electrode; Transition metal; Experimental study; Surface structure; Pyridine; Rhodium; Six membered ring; Surface Enhanced Raman Spectrometry; Adsorption structure; Platinoid
• ISSN: 0002-7863; 1520-5126
• DOI: 10.1021/ja035541d

We report the first observation of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) excited with ultraviolet (UV) light from transition metal electrodes. Adsorbed pyridine and SCN- on rough rhodium (Rh) and ruthenium (Ru) electrodes, respectively, have been studied using 325 nm laser excitation. In contrast, the best enhancers in the visible and near infrared, silver and gold, do not produce UV-SERS. The experimental data of UV-SERS are in agreement with our preliminary theoretical calculation based on the electromagnetic enhancement mechanism. The enhancement factor is about 2 orders of magnitude for the Rh and Ru electrodes when they are excited at 325 nm.