Theoretical Simulation of Vibrational Sum‐Frequency Generation Spectra from Density Functional Theory: Application to p‐Nitrothiophenol and 2,4‐Dinitroaniline

The molecular orientation of adsorbed molecules forming self‐assembled monolayers can be determined by combining vibrational sum‐frequency generation (SFG) measurements with quantum chemical calculations. Herein, we present a theoretical methodology used to simulate the SFG spectra for different combinations of polarizations. These simulations are based on calculations of the IR vectors and Raman tensors, which are obtained from density functional theory computations. The dependency of the SFG vibrational signature with respect to the molecular orientation is presented for the molecules p‐nitrothiophenol and 2,4‐dinitroaniline. It is found that a suitable choice of basis set as well as of exchange‐correlation (XC) functional is mandatory to correctly simulate the SFG intensities and consequently provide an accurate estimation of the adsorbed molecule orientation. Comparison with experimental data shows that calculations performed at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level of approximation provide good agreement with experimental frequencies, and with IR and Raman intensities. In particular, it is demonstrated that polarization and diffuse functions are compulsory for reproducing the IR and Raman spectra, and consequently vibrational SFG spectra, of systems such as p‐nitrothiophenol. Moreover, the investigated XC functionals reveal their influence on the relative intensities, which show rather systematic variations with the amount of Hartree–Fock exchange. Finally, further aspects of the modeling are revealed by considering the frequency dependence of the Raman tensors.     

Vibrational Spectroscopy of Surface Adsorbates by Sum Frequency Generation (SFG)

The vibrational spectroscopy by way of vibrational sum-frequency generation (VSFG) has been made of formic acid adsorbed on MgO(001) surface and of n-alkyltrichlorosilanes chemisorbed on quartz plates. It was revealed that the species on the MgO surface was formate ion (HCOO⁺) with CH bonds standing vertical to the surface and that the different adsorption sites showed up on repeated cycles of adsorption-desorption processes. The results of chemisorbed films indicated that the g-t and/or g-t-g′ conformational scquences of n-alkyl chains occurred more frequently by the length of alkyl chain and that the surface hydroxyls, which are the sites of chemisorption, are ripped off by pre-exposure of substrate to oxygen plasma.     

A Sensitive Surface‐enhanced Raman Scattering Method for Determination of Melamine with Aptamer‐modified Nanosilver Probe

The small nanosilver was prepared by the sodium borohydride procedure. The aptamer was used to modify nanosilver to obtain a nanosilver‐aptamer (AgssDNA) SERS probe for the determination of melamine. In pH 6.6 phosphate buffer solution and in the presence of NaCl, the AgssDNA probe specifically combined with melamine to release nanosilver particles that were aggregated to nanosilver clusters, which exhibited SERS effect at 240 cm^?1. When melamine concentration increased, the nanosilver clusters increased, and the SERS intensity at 240 cm^?1 increased. The increased SERS intensity ΔI_{240 cm?1} is linear to melamine concentration in the range of 6.3–403.6 μg·L^?1, with a detection limit of 1.2 μg·L^?1. This assay was applied to determination of melamine in milk, with satisfactory results.     

Recent strategies toward microfluidic‐based surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an extremely powerful analytical tool, which not only yields information about the molecular structure of the analyte in the form of characteristic vibrational spectrum but also gives sensitivities approaching those in fluorescence spectroscopy. The SERS measurement on the microfluidic platform provides possibility to manufacture the device with design perfectly fulfilling the needs of the application with minimal sample consumption. This review aims at describing basic strategies for SERS measurement in microfluidic devices published in the last decade and covers current trends in microfluidics with SERS detection in the field of bioanalysis and approaches toward on‐line coupling of liquid‐based separation techniques with SERS detection.     

A review of developments and applications of thin‐film microextraction coupled to surface‐enhanced Raman scattering

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) greatly expands the applications of Raman spectroscopy and is a promising technique for food safety, environmental analysis, and public safety. Thin‐film microextraction (TFME) provides an efficient sample preparation method for SERS to improve its selectivity and detection efficiency. This review comprehensively describes the development and applications of SERS and TFME, including the history, mechanisim, and active substrate of SERS and the theory, device, forms, and practical applications of TFME. The applications of TFME‐SERS in food safety and environment monitoring are discussed, which could improve their advantages. TFME extracts and enriches the target analytes to eliminate the interfering substance, providing a facial way for SERS to analyze the target analytes in complex matrices. The development of TFME‐SERS technology not only expands the application range of TFME, but greatly improves the anti‐interference ability and detection sensitivity of SERS. Thus, the established methods are fast, convenient, and highly sensitive. This technology is potential to be applied in the on‐site and real‐time detection.     

Hydrophobic‐hydrophilic monolithic dual‐phase layer for two‐dimensional thin‐layer chromatography coupled with surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection

Hydrophobic‐hydrophilic monolithic dual‐phase plates have been prepared by a two‐step polymerization method for two‐dimensional thin‐layer chromatography of low‐molecular‐weight compounds, namely, several dyes. The thin 200 μm poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) layers attached to microscope glass plates were prepared using a UV‐initiated polymerization method within a simple glass mold. After cutting and cleaning the specific area of the layer, the reassembled mold was filled with a polymerization mixture of butyl methacrylate and ethylene dimethacrylate and subsequently irradiated with UV light. During the second polymerization process, the former layer was protected from the UV light with a UV mask. After extracting the porogens and hydrolyzing the poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) area, these two‐dimensional layers were used to separate a mixture of dyes with great difference in their polarity using reversed‐phase chromatography mode within the hydrophobic layer and then hydrophilic interaction chromatography mode along the hydrophilic area. In the latter dimension only the specific spot was developed further. Detection of the separated dyes could be achieved with surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy.     

Methanol Adsorption on TiO2 Film Studied by Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy (cited:2)

A broadband infrared surface sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG-VS) and an in situ UV excitation setup devoted to studying surface photocatalysis have been constructed. With a home-made compact high vacuum cell, organic contaminants on TiO₂ thin lm surface prepared by RF magnetron sputtering were in situ removed under 266 nm irradiation in 10 kPa O₂ atmosphere. We obtained the methanol spectrum in the CH₃ stretching vibration region on TiO₂ surface with changing the methanol pressure at room temperature. Features of both molecular and dissociative methanol, methoxy, adsorbed on this surface were resolved. The CH₃ symmetric stretching vibration frequency and Fermi resonance of molecular methanol is red-shifted by about 6?8 cm^-1 from low to high coverage. Moreover, the recombination of dissociative methanol and H on surfaces in vacuum was also observed. Our results suggest two equilibria exist: between molecular methanol in the gas phase and that on surfaces, and between molecular methanol and dissociative methanol on surfaces.     

Following the Azide‐Alkyne Cycloaddition at the Silica/Solvent Interface with Sum Frequency Generation

The Cu^I‐catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) has arisen as one of the most useful chemical transformations for introducing complexity onto surfaces and materials owing to its functional‐group tolerance and high yield. However, methods for monitoring such reactions in situ at the widely used silica/solvent interface are hampered by challenges associated with probing such buried interfaces. Using the surface‐specific technique broadband sum frequency generation (SFG), we monitored the reaction of a benzyl azide monolayer in real time at the silica/methanol interface. A strong peak at 2096 cm^?1 assigned to the azides was observed for the first time by SFG. Using a cyano‐substituted alkyne, the decrease of the azide peak and the increase of the cyano peak (2234 cm^?1) were probed simultaneously. From the kinetic analysis, the reaction order with respect to copper was determined to be 2.1, suggesting that CuAAC on the surface follows a similar mechanism as in solution.     

和频振动光谱(SFG-VS)研究超铺展三甲基硅烷表面活性剂在空气/水界面的振动光谱和吸附

The C-H stretch vibrational spectra of the trisiloxane superspreading surfactant Silwet L-77((CH3)3Si-O-Si(CH3)(C3H6)(OCH2CH2)7-8OCH3)-O-Si(CH3)3) at the air/water interface are measured with the surface Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy (SFG-VS). The spectra are dominated with the features from the –Si-CH3 groups around 2905 cm-1 (symmetric stretch or SS mode) and 2957 cm-1 (mostly the asymmetric stretch or AS mode), and with the weak but apparent contribution from the -O-CH2- groups around 2880 cm-1 (symmetric stretch or SS mode). Comparison of the polarization dependent SFG spectra below and above the critical aggregate or micelle concentration (CAC) indicates that the molecular orientation of the C¡H related molecular groups remained unchanged at different surface densities of the Silwet L-77 surfactant. The SFG-VS adsorption isotherm suggested that there was no sign of Silwet L-77 bilayer structure formation at the air/water interface. The Gibbs adsorption free energy of the Silwet surfactant to the air/water interface is -42.2±0.8kJ/mol, indicating the unusually strong adsorption ability of the Silwet L-77 superspreading surfactant     

A fast and low‐cost spray method for prototyping and depositing surface‐enhanced Raman scattering arrays on microfluidic paper based device

In this study, a fast, low‐cost, and facile spray method was proposed. This method deposits highly sensitive surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the paper‐microfluidic scheme. The procedures for substrate preparation were studied including different strategies to synthesize AgNPs and the optimization of spray cycles. In addition, the morphologies of the different kinds of paper substrates were characterized by SEM and investigated by their SERS signals. The established method was found to be favorable for obtaining good sensitivity and reproducible results. The RSDs of Raman intensity of randomly analyzing 20 spots on the same paper or different filter papers depositing AgNPs are both below 15%. The SERS enhancement factor is approximately 2 × 10⁷. The whole fabrication is very rapid, robust, and does not require specific instruments. Furthermore, the total cost for 1000 pieces of chip is less than $20. These advantages demonstrated the potential for growing SERS applications in the area of environmental monitoring, food safety, and bioanalysis in the future.     

Evaluation of the Conductivity of the Polypyrrole Film via Its CC Bonds Stretching on Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectrum

In this study, the conductivities of various polypyrrole (PPy) films were evaluated via the corresponding surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that the peak position of C?C bonds stretching of PPy obtained from the SERS spectrum shows more exactly both qualitatively and quantitatively representing the conductivity of PPy than the N⁺/N ratio or the doping level obtained from the XPS analysis does. Namely the peak position of C?C bonds stretching of PPy monotone decreases to a lower frequency side with the increase of the conductivity of PPy. Furthermore, a satisfactory correlated equation between them was obtained. On the contrary, neither the N⁺/N ratio nor the doping level can be qualitatively reflective on the corresponding conductivity of PPy.     

Tunable UV generation at 283 nm by frequency doubling and sum frequency mixing of two semiconductor lasers for the detection of Pb

High resolution atomic absorption measurements of lead at 283 nm in a vapor cell were performed by frequency doubling an 850 nm laser diode to obtain 425 nm light, followed by sum frequency generation of the harmonic radiation with a second 850 nm laser diode.     

Comparison of field‐enhanced and pressure‐assisted field‐enhanced sample injection techniques for the analysis of water‐soluble vitamins using CZE

A new online concentration method, namely pressure‐assisted field‐enhanced sample injection (PA‐FESI), was developed and compared with FESI for the analysis of water‐soluble vitamins by CZE with UV detection. In PA‐FESI, negative voltage and positive pressure were simultaneously applied to initialize PA‐FESI. PA‐FESI uses the hydrodynamic flow generated by the positive pressure to counterbalance the reverse EOF in the capillary column during electrokinetic sample injection, which allowed a longer injection time than usual FESI mode without compromising the separation efficiency. Using the PA‐FESI method, the LODs of the vitamins were at ng/mL level based on the S/N of 3 and the RSDs of migration time and peak area for each vitamin (1 μg/mL) were less than 5.1%. The developed method was applied to the analysis of water‐soluble vitamins in corns.     

和频与差频振动光谱实验构型的分析模拟

实验构型分析是定量分析和频振动光谱的基础.变换实验构型,不仅要考虑某一振动模式信号强度的大小,还要考虑不同构型下的信号检测效率.现有的和频振动光谱实验构型分析主要考虑前者.本文探讨实验构型分析中所涉及的信号检测效率问题,模拟在共向式和频(差频)及对射式和频(差频)振动光谱实验中选取何种实验构型对采集信号光更加合理有效.利用相干光学过程能量守恒和动量守恒原理,分析了入射角及入射光频率等因素对信号出射角的影响,并模拟了信号出射角与入射角及入射光频率的关系,得到了可选的入射角组合最多、出射角随入射光频率变化最小的实验构型.结果表明,和频振动光谱采取共向式实验构型,差频振动光谱采取对射式实验构型,有利于信号采集,进而有利于用实验构型分析方法对和频(差频)振动光谱进行定量研究.     

Direct Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering Analysis of DNA Duplexes

The exploration of the genetic information carried by DNA has become a major scientific challenge. Routine DNA analysis, such as PCR, still suffers from important intrinsic limitations. Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as an outstanding opportunity for the development of DNA analysis, but its application to duplexes (dsDNA) has been largely hampered by reproducibility and/or sensitivity issues. A simple strategy is presented to perform ultrasensitive direct label‐free analysis of unmodified dsDNA with the means of SERS by using positively charged silver colloids. Electrostatic adhesion of DNA promotes nanoparticle aggregation into stable clusters yielding intense and reproducible SERS spectra at nanogram level. As potential applications, we report the quantitative recognition of hybridization events as well as the first examples of SERS recognition of single base mismatches and base methylations (5‐methylated cytosine and N6‐methylated Adenine) in duplexes.     

氨基酸分子的光学活性和频效应

用带限制场Hartree-Fock (RHF/6-311++G^**)从头算的方法进行分子构型优化, 单激发态组态相互作用(CIS/6-311++G^**)计算各种需要的相关数据; 应用态求和理论, 以长度偶极矩和速度偶极矩两种形式模拟了一系列氨基酸离子的光学活性和频效应(OA-SFG)光谱. 结果表明速度偶极矩计算得到的一系列氨基酸离子的和频效应光谱强度顺序能很好地与实验相吻合, 而长度偶极矩形式计算得到的结果与实验不吻合. 引起这两种形式和频效应光谱理论计算结果差别的原因是由于长度偶极矩形式具有原点敏感性, 而速度偶极矩没有. 速度偶极矩方法更适用于分子光学活性和频效应的模拟.     

INHIBIT‐Inspired Two‐Output DNA Logic Gates Based on Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering

Herein, we presented a novel logic gate based on an INHIBITION gate that performs parallel readouts. Logic gates performing INHIBITION and YES/OR were constructed using surface‐enhanced Raman scattering as optical outputs for the first time. The strategy allowed for simultaneous reading of outputs in one tube. The applicability of this strategy has been successfully exemplified in the construction of half‐adder using the two‐output logic gates as reporting gates. This reporting strategy provides additional design flexibility for dynamic DNA devices.     

Aqueous Heterogeneity at the Air/Water Interface Revealed by 2D‐HD‐SFG Spectroscopy

Water molecules interact strongly with each other through hydrogen bonds. This efficient intermolecular coupling causes strong delocalization of molecular vibrations in bulk water. We study intermolecular coupling at the air/water interface and find intermolecular coupling 1) to be significantly reduced and 2) to vary strongly for different water molecules at the interface—whereas in bulk water the coupling is homogeneous. For strongly hydrogen‐bonded OH groups, coupling is roughly half of that of bulk water, due to the lower density in the near‐surface region. For weakly hydrogen‐bonded OH groups that absorb around 3500 cm^?1, which are assigned to the outermost, yet hydrogen‐bonded OH groups pointing towards the liquid, coupling is further reduced by an additional factor of 2. Remarkably, despite the reduced structural constraints imposed by the interfacial hydrogen‐bond environment, the structural relaxation is slow and the intermolecular coupling of these water molecules is weak.     

Determination of the Degree of Charge‐Transfer Contributions to Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

We explore the application of a previously suggested formula for determining the degree of charge transfer in surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). SERS is often described as a phenomenon which obtains its enhancement from three major sources, namely the surface plasmon resonance, charge‐transfer resonances as well as possible molecular resonances. At any chosen excitation wavelength, it is possible to obtain contributions from several sources and this has led to considerable confusion. The formula for the degree of charge transfer enables one to separate these effects, but it requires that spectra be obtained either at two or more different excitation wavelengths or as a function of applied potential. We apply this formula to several examples, which display rather large charge‐transfer contributions to the spectrum. These are p‐aminothiophenol (PATP), tetracyano‐ ethylene (TCNE) and piperidine. In PATP we can show that several lines of the same symmetry give the same degree of charge transfer. In TCNE we are able to identify the charge‐transfer transition, which contributes to the effect, and are able to independently determine the degree of charge transfer by wavenumber shifts. This enables a comparison of the two techniques of measurement. In piperidine, we present an example of molecule to metal charge transfer and show that our definition of charge transfer is independent of direction.