Direct observation of p,p′‐dimercaptoazobenzene produced from p‐aminothiophenol and p‐nitrothiophenol on Cu2O nanoparticles by surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering of p‐aminothiophenol and p‐nitrothiophenol were obtained on the surface of Cu₂O nanoparticles, showing novel spectral changes with morphology‐dependent and time‐dependent characteristics. The measured Raman signals were believed to partly originate from the newly produced surface species p,p′‐dimercaptoazobenzene. The nature of surface chemisorption status during Raman measurement was investigated experimentally and theoretically via combined surface‐enhanced Raman scattering and density functional theory study, indicating that surface catalytic reaction of p‐aminothiophenol and p‐nitrothiophenol could take place on the surface of oxide nanostructures as well as coinage metal material. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.