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Investigations of electrode surfaces in acetonitrile solutions using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

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Abstract

The discovery of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has resulted in a new tool for the elucidation of phenomena occurring at the electrode/solution interface. Our long term objective is to use this technology to identify species adsorbed at the electrode surface and to determine the dependence of the Raman intensity from these species on such variables as solvent, concentration, pH, electrode potential and laser exciting wavelength. The phenomenon is described in the introduction, to provide background for those not familiar with this topic. This is followed by a presentation of recent data from our laboratory, with a focus on nonaqueous solvents. Bands of the solvated Li+ and Na+ cations at the electrode surface are reported. Bands from trace H2O (D2O and HOD) and OH− (OD−) have been observed. At sufficiently negative potentials CN− is generated from acetonitrile. Evidence is presented for the occurrence of photoelectrochemical reduction. Some preliminary results are given for propylene carbonate solvent which support this interpretation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo Waterloo, N2L 3G1, Ontario, Canada

    D. E. Irish

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  1. D. E. Irish
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  2. I. R. Hill
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  3. P. Archambault
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  4. G. F. Atkinson
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Additional information

Session lecture, IX International Conference on Non-Aqueous Solutions, Pittsburgh, PA, August 1984.

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Irish, D.E., Hill, I.R., Archambault, P. et al. Investigations of electrode surfaces in acetonitrile solutions using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. J Solution Chem 14, 221–243 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00647064

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00647064

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