| Abstract: | Raman spectral mapping of thin organic layers on metal substrates is an important analytical tool to characterize these systems. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is a suitable technique for analysis of such layers. Development of new SERS‐active surfaces with repeatable properties and without disturbing adsorbed species is one of the important steps for reliable assessment of the thin organic layers designed. This paper presents new SERS‐active substrates suitable for both macro (millimeter scale) and microscopic (micrometer scale) spectral mapping, which allow easy regeneration for repetitive experiments. Both gold and silver SERS‐active surfaces prepared by electrochemical deposition were tested. Complete map data evaluation utilities were newly designed and applied, using both ordinarily used and newly modified mathematical algorithms and chemometric procedures. Evaluation of data starts with finite impulse response (FIR) filtration algorithms to eliminate spectral interferences in individual spectra. Principal component analysis was used for transformation of multidimensional data to understandable dimensions. Various mathematical/statistical techniques were then used for data visualization as spectral maps and for similarity testing. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
