High‐resolution stimulated Raman spectroscopy and analysis of line positions and assignments for the ν2 and ν3 bands of 13C2H4

High‐resolution stimulated Raman spectra of¹³C₂H₄ in the regions of the ν₂ and ν₃ Raman active modes have been recorded at two temperatures (145 and 296 K) based on the quasi continuous‐wave (cw) stimulated Raman spectrometer at Instituto de Estructura de la Materia IEM‐CSIC in Madrid. A tensorial formalism adapted to X₂Y₄ planar asymmetric tops with D_2h symmetry (developed in Dijon) and a program suite called D_2hTDS (now part of the XTDS/SPVIEW spectroscopic software) were proposed to analyze and calculate the high‐resolution spectra. A total of 103 and 51 lines corresponding to ν₂ and ν₃ Raman active modes have been assigned and fitted in wavenumber with a global root mean square deviation of 0.54 × 10⁻³ and 0.36 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹, respectively. Due to the fact that the Raman scattering effect is weak, we did not perform in this contribution the line intensities analysis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Use of thermo‐Raman spectroscopy and chemometric analysis to identify dehydration steps of hydrated inorganic samples—application to copper sulfate pentahydrate

In situ thermo‐Raman spectroscopy (TRS) measurements were performed in order to investigate solid‐phase transformation of the copper sulfate pentahydrate from room temperature up to 300 °C. Band‐target entropy minimization (BTEM), a blind‐source separation algorithm, was employed in order to identify and reconstruct the pure component spectra of the species involved in the dehydration process. In spite of low signal‐to‐noise ratio and elevated baseline spectral data, BTEM was successfully utilized to identify and reconstruct four pure component spectra of copper sulfate pentahydrate, trihydrate, monohydrate, and anhydrate, which were formed during this thermally induced process. Subsequent mapping of these four pure component spectral estimates back onto the preprocessed spectra yielded the relative concentrations of each individual species. Finally, the transition temperatures of each dehydration step could be unambiguously deduced from the obtained concentration profile. The current study shows that combined thermo‐Raman spectroscopy and chemometric analysis provides an effective tool to determine the dehydration temperatures as well as to identify the structures of each individual species involved in a solid‐phase dehydration process. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Discrimination of carotenoid and flavonoid content in petals of pansy cultivars (Viola x wittrockiana) by FT‐Raman spectroscopy

Fourier Transform Raman spectroscopy (FT‐Raman) has been applied for the non‐destructive in‐situ analysis of pigments on differently colored flower petals of pansy cultivars (Viola x wittrockiana). The main target of the present study was to investigate how far the Raman mapping technique through FT‐Raman spectroscopy and cluster analysis of the Raman spectra is a potential method for the direct, in‐situ discrimination of flavonoids (flavonols against anthocyanins) and of carotenoids occurring in flowers, using intact and differently colored flower petal of Viola x wittrockiana for this case study. In order to get more information about the reliability of the direct in‐situ flavonoid detection by the Raman method, pigments extracts of the petals were separated by thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) and investigated by Raman spectroscopy. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) of the Raman spectra from reference pigments (carotenoids, anthocyanins and flavonols), from areas of the flower petals, and from the TLC extracts allowed discriminating the various pigments, in particular flavonoids (flavonols against anthocyanins) and carotenoids. With a two‐dimensional Raman mapping technique, which provides a chemical image of the sample under investigation, we determined by cluster analysis the distribution of carotenoids, anthocyanins and flavonols from the outer layer of the petals, and by integrating through suitable spectral regions selected as characteristic markers for particular pigments their relative concentration could approximately be determined. We found a satisfactory correlation between the patterns seen on the visible images and the patterns on the chemical images obtained by Raman mapping. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nanoporous Ag–GaN thin films prepared by metal‐assisted electroless etching and deposition as three‐dimensional substrates for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering

Three‐dimensional (3D) nanoporous gallium nitride (PGaN) scaffolds are fabricated by Pt‐assisted electroless hydrofluoric acid (HF) etching of crystalline GaN followed by in situ electroless deposition of Ag nanostructures onto the interior surfaces of the nanopores, yielding a large surface area substrate for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The resulting 3D SERS‐active substrates have been optimized by varying reaction parameters and starting material concentration, exhibiting enhanced Raman signals 10–100× more intense than either (1) sputtered Ag‐coated porous GaN or (2) Ag‐coated planar GaN. The increase in SERS signal is attributed to a combination of the large surface area and the inherent transparency of PGaN in the visible spectral region. Overall, Ag‐decorated PGaN is a promising platform for high sensitivity SERS detection and chemical analysis, particularly for reaction and metabolic products that can be trapped inside the highly anisotropic nanoscale pores of PGaN. The potential of this sampling mode is illustrated by the ability to acquire Raman spectra of adenine down to 5 fmol. Additionally, correlated SERS and laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry spectra can be acquired from same sample spot without further preparation, opening new possibilities for the investigation of surface‐bound molecules with substantially enhanced information content. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Colour diversification in octocorals based on conjugated polyenes: A Raman spectroscopic view

Polyenic pigments in octocorals have been investigated by Raman spectroscopy using laser excitation at 532, 785 and 1064 nm. The spectral features suggest the structural nature of carotenoids from Phyllogorgia dilatata, Leptogorgia punicea, Muricea atlantica, Carijoa riisei and conjugated polyenals from L. punicea, L. setacea, Muricea flamma and Renilla muelleri. The observed vibrational bands at ca. 1540–1520 ν₁(C=C), 1159 ν₂(C–C) and 1005 cm⁻¹ ρ₃(C–CH₃) were assigned to carotenoids, whereas the identification of non‐methylated conjugated polyenals have been proposed due to two major Raman bands at ca. 1500 and 1120 cm^‐1, assigned to ν(C=C) and ν(C–C), respectively. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Correlations between Raman parameters and elemental composition in lead and lead alkali silicate glasses

This article examines the influence of the composition on the Raman spectra of lead silicate glass. Modern and historic lead alkali glasses and high‐lead glazed ceramics were analysed complementarily by Raman spectrometry and elemental techniques, either electron microprobe, proton induced X‐ray emission (PIXE) or scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM‐EDS). The results showed that lead alkali silicate and high‐lead silicate glasses can be easily distinguished from their Raman spectra profile. In lead alkali silicate glasses, continuous variations were observed in the spectra with the compositional change. In particular, the position of the intense peak around 1070 cm⁻¹ was linearly correlated to the lead content in the glass. A unique decomposition model was developed for the spectra of lead alkali silicate glasses. From the combination of the Raman and elemental analyses, correlations were established between the spectral components and the composition. These correlations permitted to interpret the spectra and access additional compositional information, such as the lead content from area ratio A₉₉₀/A_900–1150, the total alkali + alkaline‐earth content from the area ratio A₁₁₀₀/A_900–1150 or the silica content from the area ratio A₁₁₅₀/A_900–1150. In lead silicate glass containing over 25 mol% PbO, the compositional variation induced no variation in the SiO₄ network region of the Raman spectra [150–1350 cm⁻¹], therefore no correlations and compositional information could be gained from the glass spectra in this range of composition. This new development of Raman spectroscopy for the analyses of glass will be very valuable for museums to not only access compositional information non‐destructively but also to understand the structural changes involved with their alteration. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐resolution stimulated Raman spectroscopy and analysis of the ν2 and ν3 bands of C2H4

The high‐resolution stimulated Raman spectra of the ν₂ and ν₃ bands of C₂H₄ have been recorded and analyzed separately by means of the tensorial formalism developed in Dijon and Reims for X₂Y₄ asymmetric‐top molecules. For the ν₂ band, a total of 191 lines were assigned and fitted. We obtained a global root mean square deviation of 1.86 × 10^{− 3} cm^{− 1}. For the ν₃ band analyzed in interaction with the ν₆ infrared band, a total of 185 lines were assigned and fitted. We obtained a global root mean square deviation of 1.29 × 10^{− 3} cm^{− 1}. Both analyses lead to very satisfactory synthetic spectra. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Resonance Raman spectroscopic study for radial vibrational modes in ultra‐thin walled TiO2 nanotubes

The study reports the observation of radial vibrational modes in ultra‐thin walled anatase TiO₂ nanotube powders grown by rapid breakdown anodization technique using resonant Raman spectroscopic study. The as‐grown tubes in the anatase phase are around 2–5 nm in wall thickness, 15–18 nm in diameter and few microns in length. The E_{g(ν1,ν5,ν6)} phonon modes with molecular vibrations in the radial direction are predominant in the resonance Raman spectroscopy using 325 nm He–Cd excitation. Multi‐phonons including overtones and combinational modes of E_{g(ν1,ν5,ν6)} are abundantly observed. Fröhlich interaction owing to electron–phonon coupling in the resonance Raman spectroscopy of ultra‐thin wall nanotubes is responsible for the observation of radial vibrational modes. Finite size with large surface energy in these nanotubes energetically favor only one mode, B_1g(ν4) with unidirectional molecular vibrations in the parallel configuration out of the three Raman modes with molecular vibration normal to the radial modes. Enhanced specific heat with increasing temperatures in these nanotubes as compared to that reported for nanoparticles of similar diameter may possibly be related to the presence of the prominent radial mode along with other energetic phonon mode. The findings elucidate the understanding of total energy landscape for TiO₂ nanotubes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Calibration of berlinite (AlPO4) as Raman spectroscopic pressure sensor for diamond‐anvil cell experiments at elevated temperatures

Changes in the band position of the 462 and the 1111 cm^–1 A₁ modes of berlinite (AlPO₄) with temperature and pressure were determined in situ to 500°C and to 10 GPa using Raman spectroscopy and diamond‐anvil cells. These bands shift in opposite directions with pressure and, likewise, with temperature. At a known temperature, the relative difference of both band positions (Δν)_P,T can therefore be used as a pressure gauge that does not require calibration of the spectrometer. At ambient pressure, the observed temperature dependence of this relative difference of the line positions is very close to linear and can be described by (Δν)_{T, 0.1 MPa} (cm^–1) = 0.0181 T – 0.46 where 23 ≤ T (°C) ≤ 500. Along the 23°C isotherm to 10 GPa, pressure and relative wavenumber difference (Δν)_{P, 23°C} are related by the equation P (GPa) = 0.00083 [(Δν)_{P, 23°C}]² – 0.062 (Δν)_{P, 23°C}. Both equations can be combined to determine pressures at higher temperatures under the assumption that the change in (Δν)_P,T with pressure is insensitive to temperature. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using Raman spectroscopy: tongue tissues

Raman spectroscopy is a powerful optical technique capable of providing the structural information at the molecular level. Thus, the technique can be used to detect biochemical changes associated with carcinogenesis and identify the biomolecules involved in cancer. We studied the Raman spectral characteristics of normal, carcinoma in situ, and invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tissues of tongue, and identified the spectral features that can discriminate these three tissue types. We found that the intensities of Raman bands assignable to tryptophan increase while those attributable to protein keratin decrease when tissue changes from normal to invasive SCC. The variation observed in the intensity of many discriminating peaks including those of tryptophan and keratin as tissue changes from normal to carcinoma in situ and then to invasive SCC suggests that Raman spectroscopy can be used to monitor progression of the disease. We have also analyzed the data with multivariate statistical methods such as principal component analysis and discriminant function analysis. These chemometric methods clearly separate the whole data into three distinct groups consistent with results of pathology. We were able to detect with 91% success rate the normal and carcinoma in situ tissues and with 89% accuracy the invasive SCC tissues of the tongue. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of phonon confinement,surface stress,and zirconium doping on the Raman vibrational properties of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles

We present a comprehensive analysis of the Raman spectra of pure and zirconium‐doped anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles. To account for the wavenumber shifts of the E_g(ν₆) mode as a function of particle size (L) and dopant concentration (x), a modification of the standard phonon confinement model (PCM) is introduced, which takes into account the contribution of surface stress by means of the Laplace–Young equation. Together with X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy data, our analysis shows that the surface stress contribution to the observed blue shift of the Raman wavenumber is of the same magnitude as the spatial phonon confinement effect. Annealing experiments show that Zr‐doped nanoparticles exhibit retarded grain growth and delayed anatase‐to‐rutile phase transition by up to 200 K compared to pure anatase TiO₂. XRD shows that Zr doping leads to a unit cell expansion of the anatase structure. Applying the modified PCM to the x‐dependent variations of the E_g(ν₆) Raman mode, the mode‐Grüneisen parameter is found to increase abruptly at x > 0.07 with a concomitant mode softening. This coincides with the x range over which the Zr cations are reported to be displaced from their position in the tetrahedral lattice, and where Zr precipitation occurs upon annealing. The results have implications for the interpretation of Raman spectra of ionic metal oxide nanoparticles and how these are modified upon cation doping. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantitative analysis of hydrogen in amorphous silicon using Raman scattering spectroscopy

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) films were studied using infrared and Raman spectroscopy. We have experimentally found that ratios of Raman scattering cross‐sections for Si–H to Si–Si bonds and for Si–H₂ to Si–Si bonds are equal to 0.65 ± 0.07 and 0.25 ± 0.03, respectively. It allows to measure the concentration of hydrogen in a‐Si:H films. The developed approach can be applied for in situ control of hydrogen in a‐Si:H films and also suitable for thin a‐Si:H films on substrates that are opaque in infrared spectral region. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tuning SERS for living erythrocytes: Focus on nanoparticle size and plasmon resonance position

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a unique technique to study submembrane hemoglobin (Hb_sm) in erythrocytes. We report the detailed design of SERS experiments on living erythrocytes to estimate dependence of the enhancemen t factor for main Raman bands of Hb_sm on silver nanoparticle (AgNP) properties. We demonstrate that the enhancement factor for ν 4/A1g, ν 10/B1g and A2g Raman bands of Hb_sm varies from 10⁵ to 10⁷ under proposed experimental conditions with 473 nm laser excitation. For the first time we show that the enhancement of Raman scattering increases with the increase in the relative amount of small NPs in colloids, with the decrease in AgNP size and with plasmon resonance shift to the shorter wavelength region. Obtained results can be explained by the ability of smaller AgNPs to get deeper into nano‐invaginations of the plasma membrane than larger AgNPs. This shortens the distance between small AgNPs and Hb_sm and, consequently, leads to the higher enhancement of Raman scattering of Hb_sm. The enhancement of higher wavenumber bands ν 10/B1g and A2g is more sensitive to AgNPs’ size and the relative amount of small AgNPs than the enhancement of the lower wavenumber band ν 4/A1g. This can be used for AgNP‐controlled enhancement of the desired Raman bands and should be taken into account in biomedical SERS experiments. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectroscopic study of phase transitions in dolomite mineral

The process and the formation of new minerals upon heating carbonate rocks containing clay minerals together with dolomite are determined by thermal analysis, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The dolomite–calcite–calcium oxide phase transition sequences were followed up to 947 °C in a naturally occurring dolomite sample. The spectral variations of the internal modes of the carbonate trigonal (ν₁, ν₂, ν₃ and ν₄) were used to probe the structural phase transitions. A new Raman mode emerged at 1090 cm⁻¹ in the ν₁ mode region, and infrared modes emerged at 713, 874, and 1420 cm⁻¹ in the ν₄, ν₂ and ν₃ regions at 750 °C, indicating the onset of the dolomite phase. The calcium oxide phase, (which on reaction with atmospheric water forms portlandite) with an onset temperature of around 950 °C, was also characterized by the appearance of the infrared mode around 450 cm⁻¹. The minerals, which were formed upon heating the dolomite, were calcite, calcium oxide and diopside. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman spectroscopy of polyconjugated molecules with electronic and mechanical confinement: the spectrum of Corallium rubrum

The chemical nature of the red pigment of Corallium rubrum (CR) has not yet been clearly identified. We have recorded the Raman spectra of CR, canthaxantin, and parrot feather, and we propose an interpretation with the help of quantum chemistry and of the effective conjugation coordinate theory, which accounts for the main Raman lines (ν₁, ν₂, ν₃) as originating from the polyene backbone. In this study, two additional lines in the 1000 cm⁻¹ range (ν₄ and ν₅) are considered as well as a series of overtones and combinations in the second order Raman spectrum (2000–3000 cm⁻¹). Density Functional Theory calculations predict that, moving with successive methylation from a simple unsubstituted polyene chain with 9 C═C bonds (as psyttacofulvins) to a 9, 9′, 13, 13′ tetramethylated chain (as carotenoids), the geometric structures of the molecules and their Raman spectra show changes that can be rationalized if the effective conjugation coordinate theory is extended to account for mechanical confinement. This turns out to be a new concept that helps the interpretation of the Raman spectra of partially methylated conjugated oligoenes. Evidence is found that the main component of the pigment of CR does not posess a fully demethylated polyene chain (psyttacofulfine) nor a tetramethylated chain (carotenoid), thus indicating that the polyene chain is partially methylated. Because we consider resonance Raman spectra, the target of this study is the structure of the polyene backbone; no direct spectroscopic information can be obtained in this way on the chemical nature of the groups attached to both chain ends. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐resolution stimulated Raman spectroscopy and analysis of the ν1/ν5 (C–H) stretching dyad of C2H4

The high‐resolution stimulated Raman spectra of the ν₁/ν₅ C–H stretching bands of C₂H₄ have been recorded and analyzed by means of the tensorial formalism developed in Dijon for X₂Y₄ asymmetric‐top molecules. A total of 689 lines (428 for ν₅ and 261 for ν₁) were assigned and fitted as a dyad including Coriolis coupling constants. We obtained a global root mean square deviation of 4.39 × 10^{− 3} cm^{− 1} (4.61 × 10^{− 3} cm^{− 1} for ν₁, 4.25 × 10^{− 3} cm^{− 1} for ν₅). The nearby 2ν₂ band, extrapolated from ν₂, was included in the analysis. However, no interaction parameter involving it could be fitted. The analysis is quite satisfactory, although some parts of ν₅ are not very well reproduced, probably indicating some yet unidentified resonances. This region is indeed quite dense, with many interacting dark states that cannot be included at present. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Recovery of the depolarization ratio of single lines from overlapping isotropic and anisotropic Raman profiles and assignment of molecular vibrations,with special reference to toluene and toluene‐d8

If a Raman line consists of several overlapping components, any attempt to perform a quantitative analysis of the wavenumber‐dependent depolarization ratio ρ(ν) fails, since ρ(ν) of a composite line is not an additive function of ρ(ν) of its constituents, and for a composite line representing an envelope of i single lines, ρ_comp(ν) ≠ ∑ρ_i(ν). This situation causes significant difficulties in the analysis of Raman spectra, especially in the case of weak lines (overtones, combination bands, etc.) situated in the close vicinity of strong fundamentals. In this paper, a specific algorithm is employed to recover isotropic and anisotropic Raman profiles. Using toluene and toluene‐d₈ as examples, it is shown that the ρ(ν) spectra of all components of a composite spectrum can be easily restored, facilitating the assignment of overtones, hot bands, and combination bands. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Discrimination of aged mixtures of lipidic paint binders by Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics

This work explores the application of chemometric techniques to Raman spectra to study aged lipidic paint binders. These binders, commonly known as drying oils, were widely used by artists throughout history both individually and in mixtures. We prepared various model samples of the pure binders (linseed, poppy‐seed and walnut oils and egg yolk) and of binary mixtures thereof. These model samples were left to age naturally for six years and further characterized by Raman spectroscopy. A comparative study of the Raman spectral features before and after ageing process was carried out. This showed changes mainly in the bands located at 1267, 1655 and 3011 cm^–1, which correspond to vibrations in cis double bonds. Multivariate analysis was performed by applying principal component analysis and partial least‐squares discriminant analysis on the corresponding Raman spectra to test whether spectral differences allowed samples to be distinguished on the basis of their composition. The CH stretching region was found to be especially useful for discrimination between the different binders. Furthermore, good sensitivity and specificity were found in the discriminant analysis particularly for the identification of binders containing egg yolk. The results of these multivariate analyses demonstrated the potential use of both chemometric approaches in the field of Cultural Heritage for drying oil characterization and identification, and also for gaining a deeper insight into the ageing process. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.