Detection of metal-molecule-metal junction formation by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Wattanavichean, Nungnit, Gilby, Matthew, Nichols, Richard J ORCID: 0000-0002-1446-8275 and Arnolds, Heike ORCID: 0000-0002-5723-9309 (2019) Detection of metal-molecule-metal junction formation by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Analytical chemistry, 91 (04). pp. 2644-2651.

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Abstract

Vibrational modes play a key role in characterizing metal-molecule-metal junctions, but their detection currently either requires single-molecule sensitivity or the generation of defect-free large-scale junctions. Here we demonstrate that surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on non-ideal surfaces can provide a significant amount of information despite many defects in the layer. We determine the vibrational signature of the molecular electronic junction for palladium ions complexed and reduced on 4-mercaptopyridine adsorbed on rough gold and gold nanoparticles using SERS and density functional theory (DFT). We show that these non-ideal surfaces can be used to probe kinetics of metal ion com-plexation and establish the success of electrochemical metallization. SERS on non-ideal surfaces is thus revealed as a useful tool to rapidly establish the key process parameters in making molecular electronic junctions before embarking on more detailed studies on single molecules or single crystal surfaces.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Nanotechnology, Bioengineering, 4 Detection, screening and diagnosis, 1 Underpinning research, 4.1 Discovery and preclinical testing of markers and technologies, 1.1 Normal biological development and functioning
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	17 Jan 2019 10:16
Last Modified:	14 Mar 2024 19:16
DOI:	10.1021/acs.analchem.8b03576
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3031423