Surface-enhanced Raman scattering study of benzyl mercaptide and benzyl isocyanide on gold and silver nanocolloid surfaces

The adsorption structure and binding of benzyl mercaptide (BZM) and benzyl isocyanide (BZI) on gold and silver nanocolloid surfaces have been comparatively investigated by means of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The appearance of the ring ν(CH) band denoted a standing geometry of the phenyl ring of BZI. On gold, the CNC bonds appeared to have a largely parallel orientation as evidenced by the disappearance of the νas(CH2) vibrations. On the other hand, a prominent νas(CH2) band in the SERS spectra suggests a rather linear bond angle of CNC: on silver.