Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to probe photoreaction pathways and kinetics of isolated reactants on surfaces: Flat versus curved substrates

Yue Bing Zheng, John L. Payton, Tze Bin Song, Bala Krishna Pathem, Yuxi Zhao, Hong Ma, Yang Yang, Lasse Jensen, Alex K.Y. Jen, Paul S. Weiss

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

We identify and control the photoreaction paths of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thiolate-linked anthracene phenylethynyl molecules on Au substrate surfaces, and study the effects of nanoscale morphology of substrates on regioselective photoreactions. Two types of morphologies, atomically flat and curved, are produced on Au surfaces by controlling substrate structure and metal deposition. We employ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), combined with Raman mode analyses using density functional theory, to identify the different photoreaction paths and to track the photoreaction kinetics and efficiencies of molecules in monolayers. The SAMs on curved surfaces exhibit dramatically lower regioselective photoreaction kinetics and efficiencies than those on atomically flat surfaces. This result is attributed to the increased intermolecular distances and variable orientations on the curved surfaces. Better understanding of the morphological effects of substrates will enable control of nanoparticle functionalization in ligand exchange in targeted delivery of therapeutics and theranostics and in catalysis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5362-5368
Number of pages7
JournalNano letters
Volume12
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 10 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Bioengineering
  • General Chemistry
  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanical Engineering

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