Hot-electron assisted reaction of p-nitrobenzoic acid adsorbed on metal–insulator–metal tunnel junction’s electrode surface

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectra of p-nitrobenzoic acid (PNBA) on the Ag electrode of a Ag/AlOx/Al tunnel junction are measured under application of a bias voltage. The bands caused by the adsorbed PNBA− at the active junction’s area increase in intensity with bias voltage and a new band attributable to the azo-group emerges at voltages greater than +2.2 eV. The intensity profile of the new band is similar to the junction’s Tafel plot. In contrast, the non-active electrode surface shows no change in the bands. These results indicate the tunnel junction might furnish a surface template for an anisotropic molecular structure.