Surface Raman Scattering as a Probe of Metal Surface Chemistry

Abstract

Raman scattering is an attractive probe of surface and interfacial chemistry at metals due to the high degree of molecular specificity inherent in the results. One aspect of Raman scattering that enhances its utility for the study of metal surfaces is the ability to deduce orientational information about molecules at these metal surfaces from the presence of oriented electric fields at these surfaces with which selective vibrational modes can couple. These "surface selection rules" have been both theoretically described and experimentally validated for a variety of metal surfaces. Given the wealth of information available from such studies, potential applications for surface Raman scattering span the range from electrochemical to catalytic systems. Thus, considerable effort has been expended in an attempt to develop Raman scattering for the study of surface and interfacial phenomena. These efforts have largely been focused on overcoming problems attendant to sensitivity and selectivity for the interface in the presence of the bulk environment.