Absolute Orientation of Molecules with Competing Hydrophilic Head Groups at the Air/Water Interface Probed with Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy

和频振动光谱(SFG-VS)研究中由基团在界面上取向所引起的光谱增强或相消的干涉现象为研究分子在界面上的绝对取向提供了一种直接的测量方法. 这一方法比SFG实验中复杂的相位测量方法更为直接和简单可行. 以在空气/水界面取向已知的对羟基苯腈(PCP)分子的氰基(-CN)基团为相位参考来获得3,5-二甲基对羟基苯腈(35DMHBN)和2,6-二甲基对羟基苯腈(26DMHBN)分子在空气/水界面的取向信息. 通过对这三种分子的水溶液和它们两两混合溶液界面上-CN基团和频振动光谱强度的比较,发现在空气/水界面的3     

Molecular structure of polystyrene at Air/Polymer and Solid/Polymer interfaces

IR-visible sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy has been used in a total internal reflection geometry to study the molecular structure of polystyrene (PS) at PS/sapphire and PS/air interfaces, simultaneously. The symmetric vibrational modes of the phenyl rings dominate the SFG spectra at the PS/air interface as compared to the antisymmetric vibrational modes at the PS/sapphire interface. This indicates approximately parallel orientation of the phenyl rings at the PS/air interface while nearly perpendicular orientation at the PS/sapphire interface, with respect to the surface normal.     

Sum frequency generation (SFG) – surface vibrational spectroscopy studies of buried interfaces: catalytic reaction intermediates on transition metal crystal surfaces at high reactant pressures; polymer surface structures at the solid–gas and solid–liquid interfaces

SFG spectra of polyethylene and polypropylene show monolayer sensitivity and reveal temperature-dependent changes of surface structure. For polymer blends, the hydrophobic component segregates to the solid–air interface, and the hydrophilic component segregates at the solid–water interface. Changes in SFG spectra of polymer blends as a function of bulk concentration correlate with changes of contact angle. SFG is an excellent probe of surface-structure and surface-composition changes as the polymer interface is altered. Received: 20 September 1998     

空气/水界面水分子的取向和运动

对四种不同的实验构型下空气／水界面自由O-H键在3700cm~(-1)的和频振动光谱的分析表明,水分子在空气／水界面的取向运动只可能是在平衡位置附近有限角度之内的受限转动。界面水分子的自由O-H键取向距界面法线约33°,而取向分布或运动的宽度不超过15°。这一图像显著地不同于Wei等人(Phys. Rev. Lett.86,4799(2001))只通过单一的SFG实验构型所得出结论,即：空气／水界面的水分子在超快的振动弛豫时间内在很大的角度范围内运动。     

Potential-dependent structure of the interfacial water on the gold electrode

Doubly tunable sum frequency generation (SFG) spectra demonstrate that the water molecules at gold/electrolyte interface change their orientation with applied potential. At negative potentials, water molecules in the double layer align with their oxygen atom pointing to the solution. As potential became positive to be close to the potential of zero charge (PZC), the SFG signal decreased, suggesting the OH groups of the water molecule are either in random orientation or parallel to the electrode. As potential became more positive than the PZC, the SFG signal increased again with the oxygen-up orientation as same as in the negative potential region, indicating that water molecules interact with the adsorbed sulfate anions. The peak position of the SFG spectra indicates a relatively disordered state of water molecules at the gold electrode surface, in contrast to the previously observed ice-like structure of water at electrolyte/oxide interfaces.     

Molecular dynamics study of the vibrational relaxation of OCl and OCl in the bulk and the surface of water and acetonitrile

The vibrational relaxation of OCl and OCl⁻ in the bulk and the liquid/vapor interface of water and acetonitrile is studied by molecular dynamics computer simulations. Both equilibrium calculations of the vibrational friction and non-equilibrium simulation of the energy relaxation are used to elucidate the factors that influence the rate of energy relaxation in systems that represent polar ionic and non-ionic solutes in polar protic and non-protic solvents. We find that, in agreement with previous experimental and theoretical studies, the relaxation of the ionic solute is much faster than that of the non-ionic solute in both the solvents. However, while the relaxation is slowed down considerably when the non-ionic solute is transferred from the bulk to the interface, no such surface effect is found in the case of the ionic solute. This behavior can be explained by noting that the ionic solute is able to keep its first solvation shell intact upon transfer to the interface and that the main contribution to the friction is due to the Lennard-Jones part of the intermolecular potential.     

Melting at alkyl side chain comb polymer interfaces

Infrared visible sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy has been used to study structure and melting transition temperatures of alkyl-side chain-acrylate comb polymers at air and solid interfaces. At the air interface, the SFG spectra show methyl bands and two transitions are observed: the first, near the bulk melting temperature, T(m), and the second 10-20 degrees C higher than T(m). The shorter the alkyl side chain, the larger the difference between the two transition temperatures. In contrast, methylene bands are observed at sapphire interface with a single transition near T(m) (C18).     

Vibrational response of hydrogen-bonded interfacial water is dominated by intramolecular coupling

Using the surface-specific vibrational technique of vibrational sum-frequency generation, we reveal that the double-peaked structure in the vibrational spectrum of hydrogen-bonded interfacial water molecules originates from vibrational coupling between the stretch and bending overtone, rather than from structural effects. This is demonstrated by isotopic dilution experiments, which reveal a smooth transition from two peaks to one peak, as D2O is converted into HDO. Our results show that the water interface is structurally more homogeneous than previously thought.     

Ultrafast vibrational energy transfer between surface and bulk water at the air-water interface

We report a femtosecond time-resolved study of water at the neat water-air interface. The O-H stretch vibrational lifetime of hydrogen-bonded interfacial water is measured using surface-specific 4th-order nonlinear optical spectroscopy with femtosecond infrared pulses. The vibrational lifetime in the frequency range of 3200 to 3500 cm(-1) is found to closely resemble that of bulk water, indicating ultrafast exchange of vibrational energy between surface water molecules and those in the bulk.     

Oxide/water interfaces: how the surface chemistry modifies interfacial water properties

The organization of water at the interface with silica and alumina oxides is analysed using density functional theory-based molecular dynamics simulation (DFT-MD). The interfacial hydrogen bonding is investigated in detail and related to the chemistry of the oxide surfaces by computing the surface charge density and acidity. We find that water molecules hydrogen-bonded to the surface have different orientations depending on the strength of the hydrogen bonds and use this observation to explain the features in the surface vibrational spectra measured by sum frequency generation spectroscopy. In particular, 'ice-like' and 'liquid-like' features in these spectra are interpreted as the result of hydrogen bonds of different strengths between surface silanols/aluminols and water.     

Unravelling overlaps and torsion-facilitated coupling using two-dimensional laser-induced fluorescence

Two-dimensional laser-induced fluorescence (2D-LIF) spectroscopy is employed to identify contributions to fluorescence excitation spectra that arise from both overlapping bands and coupling between zero-order states (ZOSs). Evidence is found for the role of torsional motion in facilitating the coupling between vibrations that particularly involves the lowest-wavenumber out-of-plane vibrational modes. The experiments are carried out on jet-cooled p-fluorotoluene, where the molecules are initially in the lowest two torsional levels. Here we concentrate on the 390–420?cm^?1 features in the S₁?←?S₀ excitation spectrum, assigning the features seen in the 2D-LIF spectrum, aided by separate dispersed fluorescence spectra. The 2D-LIF spectra allow the overlapping contributions to be cleanly separated, including some that arise from vibrational-torsional coupling. Various coupling routes open up because of the different symmetries of the lowest two torsional modes; these combine with the vibrational symmetry to provide new symmetry-allowed vibration-torsion (‘vibtor’) interactions, and the role of the excited m?=?1 torsional level is found to be significant.     

Sum frequency generation and density functional studies of CO-H interaction and hydrogen bulk dissolution on Pd(1 1 1)

CO-H interaction and H bulk dissolution on Pd(1 1 1) were studied by sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT). The theoretical findings are particularly important to rationalize the experimentally observed mutual site blocking of CO and H and the effect of H dissolution on coadsorbate structures. Dissociative hydrogen adsorption on CO-precovered Pd(1 1 1) is impeded due to an activation barrier of ∼2.5 eV for a CO coverage of 0.75 ML, an effect which is maintained down to 0.33 ML CO. Preadsorbed hydrogen prevented CO adsorption at 100 K, while hydrogen was replaced from the surface by CO above 125 K. The temperature-dependent site blocking of hydrogen originates from the onset of hydrogen diffusion into the Pd bulk around 125 K, as shown by SFG and theoretical calculations using various approaches. When Pd(1 1 1) was exposed to 1:1 CO/H₂ mixtures at 100 K, on-top CO was absent in the SFG spectra although hydrogen occupies only threefold hollow sites on Pd(1 1 1). DFT attributes the absence of on-top CO to H atoms diffusing between hollow sites via bridge sites, thereby destabilizing neighboring on-top CO molecules. According to the calculations, the stretching frequency of bridge-bonded CO with a neighboring bridge-bonded hydrogen atom is redshifted by 16 cm⁻¹ when compared to bridging CO on the clean surface. Implications of the observed effects on hydrogenation reactions are discussed and compared to the C₂H₄-H coadsorption system.     

A theoretical study of the sum frequency vibrational spectroscopy of the carbon tetrachloride/water interface

Theoretical approximations to the sum frequency vibrational spectroscopy (SFVS) of the carbon tetrachloride/water interface are constructed using the quantum-corrected time correlation functions (TCF) to aid in interpretation of experimental data and to predict novel vibrational modes. Instantaneous normal mode (INM) methods are used to characterize the observed modes leading to the TCF signal, thus providing molecular resolution of the vibrational lineshapes. Detailed comparisons of the theoretical signals are made with those obtained experimentally and show excellent agreement for the spectral peaks in the O-H stretching region of water. An intermolecular mode, unique to the interface, at 848 cm(-1) is also identifiable, similar to the one seen for the water/vapor interface. INM analysis reveals the resonance is due to a wagging mode (hindered rotation) that was previously identified (Perry et al 2005 J. Chem. Phys. 123 144705) as localized on a single water molecule with both hydrogens displaced normal to the interface-generally it is found that the symmetry breaking at the interface leads to hindered translations and rotations at hydrophilic/hydrophobic interfaces that assume finite vibrational frequencies due to anchoring at the aqueous interface. Additionally, examination of the real and imaginary parts of the theoretical SFVS spectra reveal the spectroscopic species attributed the resonances and possible subspecies in the O-H region; these results are consistent with extant experimental data and associated analysis.     

Broadening of vibrational spectra of carbon dioxide upon absorption and condensation in nanopores

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS) has been used to study the vibrational Q-branch with the frequency of 1388 cm^?1 of the ν₁ mode of carbon dioxide molecules filling a sample made of nanopore glass at room temperature (20.5°C). The measurements were carried out in a gas cell at pressures approaching saturation P _sat. When pressure was increased above 0.8 P _sat, in addition to the spectral component due to the gaseous phase molecules, the CARS spectra featured a component due to the molecules adsorbed on the pore walls. Simulation of spectra taking the interference of these two contributions into account enabled the estimation of the broadening of the vibrational molecular spectra in the adsorbed layer. The spectral width of the component due to the adsorbed molecules was nearly a factor of two times larger than that of molecules in the bulk liquid phase. At pressures above 0.94 P _sat, the spectral width of the component due to the adsorbed molecules decreased to values close to those measured in the bulk liquid phase, which corresponds to the condensation of molecules in nanopores.     

in situ FTIR Spectroscopic Characterization of Electroactive Species

A spectroelectrochemical technique based on the Fourier Transform Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopic (FTIR-RAS) method is described, whereby high resolution in situ vibrational spectra of electrogenerated reaction intermediates (including radicals) and species adsorbed on electrode surfaces are obtained. Theoretical and experimental aspects of the method in a single reflection mode are discussed. Details of the cell design and the optimization of the operational parameters for running the FT-IR spectrometer in the RAS mode are also described. Apart from the potential of this technique to identify adsorbed species through their vibrational spectra, it can also be used to determine the orientation of the adsorbed species on the electrode surface by making use of surface selection rules. Using this technique, it has been possible to record the spectra of molecules adsorbed from aqueous and non aqueous media on metal and carbon electrodes. It has been possible to distinguish the vibrational spectra of adsorbed molecules from those in the bulk. Various systems covering a wide range of molecules have been studied and the potential of the technique as a method for the characterization of the electrode-electrolyte interface has been demonstrated.     

离子液体阳离子在空气/[bmim][BF4]水溶液界面的取向和结构

采用和频振动光谱研究了空气/[bmim][BF₄]低浓度水溶液界面的取向结构. 研究发现,在体相浓度非常低时,丁基链具有较大的旁式扭曲,表明此时的取向比较无序;阳离子咪唑环则采取一个较小的取向角. 随着浓度的升高,阳离子咪唑环趋向平躺在界面. 由于链-链相互作用,此时丁基链的旁式扭曲也减小,说明界面分子的取向变得有序. 进一步研究发现,PPP和SPS光谱上甲基反对称的峰存在位移,表明界面丁基链上的甲基存在不同取向或具有不同的化学环境.结果有助于从微观层次理解水溶性离子液体和基于咪唑的表面活性剂在界面上的物理化学行为.     

Infrared spectroscopy of particulate matter: between molecular clusters and bulk

The present contribution focuses on the vibrational dynamics of large molecular aggregates with sizes ranging from the subnanometre to the micrometre region. These aggregates or particles bridge the gap between molecular clusters and bulk matter. Depending on the kind of intermolecular interactions, the vibrational dynamics of the particles can be strongly influenced by intrinsic particle properties such as size, shape, or surface area. Such phenomena are discussed for several examples. In contrast, for some substances the vibrational spectra are mainly governed by local effects, i.e. by the interaction of neighboring molecules. The comparison of the experimental results with different model calculations leads to a deeper insight into the microscopic origin of the characteristic patterns observed. The vibrational dynamics are studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In addition, the particle properties are characterized by microscopy and measurements of the size distribution. Four different particle generation methods are discussed. It is shown that the methods of generation can even influence the chemical composition of the particles.     

红外扫描和频振动光谱系统的激光线宽与光谱分辨率

本文报道了一个简化的利用可见光和红外光带宽来计算和频光谱分辨率的公式. 公式显示和频振动光谱的Voigt线宽可以通过振动模式的均匀线宽(洛伦兹线宽)、非均匀线宽(高斯线宽)、红外光与可见光的高斯线宽计算获得. 利用本实验室新搭建的频率分辨及偏振分辨的皮秒和频光谱系统验证了该公式的准确性. 实验结果显示,本激光系统获取的红外光的高斯线宽为1.5 cm^-1. 本激光系统的光谱分辨率约为4.6 cm^-1,结果与胆固醇单层膜光谱获取的光谱分辨率(3.5~5 cm^-1)基本一致.     

Implementing the Theory of Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy: A Tutorial Review

Abstract

The interfacial regions between bulk media, although often comprising only a fraction of the material present, are frequently the site of reactions and phenomena that dominate the macroscopic properties of the entire system. Spectroscopic investigations of such interfaces are often hampered by the lack of surface specificity of most available techniques. Sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFS) is a non‐linear optical technique which provides vibrational spectra of molecules solely at interfaces. The spectra may be analysed to provide the polar orientation, molecular conformation, and average tilt angle of the adsorbate to the surface normal. This article is aimed at newcomers to the field of SFS, and via a tutorial approach will present and develop the general sum frequency equations and then demonstrate how the fundamental theory elucidates the important experimental properties of SFS.     

Vibrational dynamics of nitromethane mixed with IR780 dye studied by coherent anti‐stokes Raman spectroscopy

Vibrational coupling between different kinds of molecules in liquid mixture is studied by multiplex coherent anti‐Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS). To identify vibrational coherence, fs‐probe with high time resolution and narrowband‐probe with high spectral resolution are adopted in CARS experiments. Using liquid nitromethane (NM) mixed with organic dye IR780 perchlorate as the sample, we can clearly observe the interference between different vibrational modes. The intermolecular vibrational interaction between NM and IR780 molecules results in the vibrational coherence transfer (VCT) in the form of a change of phase correlation. Compared with symmetric bending vibration of NO₂, coherence transfer is found to be easier to take place between C―N bond of NM and vibrations of IR780, which indicates the selectivity of intermolecular vibrational interaction. The selectivity is deduced to be related to the coordination between intramolecular and collective motion of molecules. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.