Improper hydrogen bonding and motional narrowing in binary mixtures of 2‐ and 3‐bromopyridine in methanol probed by polarized Raman study and DFT calculations

A concentration‐dependent Raman study of the ν(C Br) stretching and trigonal bending modes of 2‐ and 3‐Br‐pyridine (2Br‐p and 3Br‐p) in CH₃OH was performed at different mole fractions of the reference molecule, 2Br‐p/3Br‐p, from 0.1 to 0.9 in order to understand the origin of blue/red wavenumber shifts of the vibrational modes due to hydrogen‐bond formation. The appearance of additional Raman bands in these binary systems at ∼617 cm⁻¹in the case of 2Br‐p and at ∼618 cm⁻¹ in the case of 3Br‐p compared to neat bromopyridine derivatives were attributed to specific hydrogen‐bonded complexes formed in the mixtures. The interpretation of experimental results is supported by density functional calculations on optimized geometries and vibrational wavenumbers of 2Br‐p and 3Br‐p and a series of hydrogen‐bonded complexes with methanol. The parameters obtained from these calculations were used for a qualitative explanation of the blue/red shifts. The wavenumber shifts and linewidth changes for the ν(C Br) stretching and trigonal bending modes as a function of concentration reveal that the caging effects leading to motional narrowing and diffusion‐causing line broadening are simultaneously operative, in addition to the blue shift caused due to hydrogen bonding. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

FT‐IR,FT‐Raman,and computational calculations of 4‐chloro‐2‐(3‐chlorophenyl carbamoyl)phenyl acetate

FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectra of 4‐chloro‐2‐(3‐chlorophenylcarbamoyl) phenyl acetate were studied. Vibrational wavenumbers and corresponding vibrational assignments were examined theoretically using the Gaussian03 set of quantum chemistry codes and the normal modes are assigned by potential energy distribution (PED) calculations. Simultaneous IR and Raman activation of the CO stretching mode shows the charge transfer interaction through a π‐conjugated path. Optimized geometrical parameters of the title compound are in agreement with the reported values. Analysis of the phenyl ring modes shows that C C stretching mode is equally active as strong bands in both IR and Raman, which can be interpreted as the evidence of intramolecular charge transfer via conjugated ring path and is responsible for hyperpolarizability enhancement leading to nonlinear optical activity. The red‐shift of the NH‐stretching wavenumber in the infrared spectrum from the computed wavenumber indicates the weakening of the NH bond resulting in proton transfer to the neighboring oxygen atom. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Size‐dependent Raman and infrared studies of PbSe nanoparticles

Micro‐probe Raman and far‐infrared absorption spectroscopies were used to prove the existence of optical phonon modes of PbSe nanoparticles prepared by colloidal chemistry and preliminarily characterized by transmission electron microscopy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that evidence of the surface phonon (SP) mode by Raman spectroscopy has been experimentally observed. The wavenumber of the SP mode is consistent with its prediction by a dielectric continuum model. While for different PbSe nanoparticle sizes the observed SP mode does not show any obvious change in its position, there is a clear shift by approximately 4 cm⁻¹ toward higher wavenumber in the appearance of the LO(Γ) in the Raman spectra from the 3 nm to the 7 nm PbSe nanoparticles. Far‐infrared measurements demonstrate the presence of the transverse optical TO(Γ) and of the coupled phonon modes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering‐based approach for DNA detection at low concentrations via polyvinyl alcohol‐protected silver grasslike patterns

A simple method is demonstrated to detect DNA at low concentrations on the basis of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) via polyvinyl alcohol‐protected silver grasslike patterns (PVA‐Ag GPs) grown on the surface of the common Al substrate. By the SERS measurements of sodium citrate and thymine, the PVA‐Ag GPs are shown to be an excellent SERS substrate with good activity, stability and reproducibility. With the use of the tested molecule of thymine, the enhancement factor of the PVA‐Ag GPs is up to ~1.4 × 10⁸. The PVA‐Ag GPs are also shown to be an excellent SERS substrate with good biocompatibility for DNA detection, and the detection limit is down to ~10⁻⁵ mg/g. Meanwhile, the assignations of the Raman bands and the adsorption behaviors of the DNA molecules are also analyzed. In this work, the geometry optimization and the wavenumber analysis of adenine–Ag and guanine–Ag complexes for the ground states are performed using density functional theory, B3LYP functional and the LanL2DZ basis set. The transition energies and the oscillator strengths of adenine–Ag and guanine–Ag for the lowest six singlet excited states were calculated by using the time‐dependent density functional theory method with the same functional and basis set. The results show that the charge transfer in the adenine–Ag and guanine–Ag complexes should be the chemical factor for the SERS of the DNA molecules. Lastly, this method may be employed in large‐scale preparation of substrates that have been widely applied in the Raman analysis of DNA because the fabrication process is simple and inexpensive. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Size‐dependent SERS enhancement of colloidal silver nanoplates: the case of 2‐amino‐5‐nitropyridine

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of 2‐amino‐5‐nitropyridine (ANP) adsorbed on colloidal silver triangular nanoplates were obtained using samples with different mean sizes and surface plasmon frequencies. The relative SERS enhancement factor for each sample was determined by the analysis of the normalized SERS excitation profiles of ANP vibrational modes for nanoplates in suspension, without aggregation. The SERS profiles are blue‐shifted in relation to the localized surface plasmon peak. The detailed characterization of both morphology and concentration of the samples in addition to a rigorous normalization of the SERS spectra allowed a quantitative correlation between the SERS profiles and the mean size of the nanoplates. This correlation indicated the existence of an optimum size of the nanoplates for maximum Raman enhancement. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural phase transitions in loparite‐(Ce): evidences from Raman light scattering

Raman spectroscopic studies of loparite‐(Ce), a mineral of the perovskite family, are presented. Polarized Raman spectra were obtained in the temperature range of 50–300 K. As analysis of the behavior of Raman modes showed, the temperature dependences of wavenumber, damping and intensity of the optical modes exhibited anomalies near 220 and 150 K. Softening of the low‐wavenumber modes observed in the vicinity of 150 K is interpreted as an evidence of a ferroelectric phase transition. An anisotropic quasielastic light scattering in the low‐wavenumber region of the Raman spectra was observed from 300 to 150 K. As the data suggest, loparite‐(Ce) has two structural phase transitions, one of which (at 150 K) is a ferroelectric transition of the order–disorder type. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design considerations for SERS detection in colloidal solution: reduce spectral intensity fluctuation

The intensity fluctuation of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has seriously hampered its practical applications. The previous studies that involved SERS intensity fluctuation mostly focus on the assembled substrates or single molecule and single nanoparticle but have few attention on colloidal solutions containing numerous molecules and/or nanoparticles. Here, we studied the time‐elapsed SERS spectra of three different analytes in colloidal solution. Their peak intensities fluctuated simultaneously and uniformly throughout the acquisition process and had no correlation with their wavenumber wandering. Gravity‐induced inhomogeneous distributions of Ag nanocubes in solution led to the spatial and temporal variations of peak intensities, which could be reduced by altering the integration time, particle concentration, and solvent viscosity and density. Furthermore, the dissimilar interactions between analytes and Ag nanocubes showed non‐detectable influence over their intensity fluctuations. This investigation gives out the significant guidance for SERS detection in colloidal solution. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of Raman spectroscopy on 4‐mercaptopyridine aqueous solution and 4‐mercaptopyridine/Ag complex system

Raman scattering and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) have been used to study the behavior of 4‐mercaptopyridine (4‐Mpy) dissolved in water and adsorbed on silver mirrors. In order to gain the actual structure and the theoretical modes of the 4‐Mpy dissolved in water and adsorbed on the surface of silver mirror, ab initio calculation at the Hartree–Fock (HF) level and density functional theory (DFT) at Beck's three‐parameter Lee‐Yang‐Parr (B3LYP) level were performed to calculate the vibrational modes and wavenumbers. 4‐Mpy/2H₂O and 4‐Mpy/Ag complex systems were optimized, and then the corresponding Raman spectra were calculated and analyzed. Compared with the experimental results, the calculated results of 4‐Mpy and 4‐Mpy/2H₂O complex systems obtained from DFT method were more accurate. Among the results calculated with HF method, the one with three Ag atoms was economical, which took less computer time but gave equivalent results to those with more noumber of Ag atoms. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lattice dynamics of Al‐containing MAX‐phase carbides: a first‐principle study

A systematic study on lattice dynamics of M_{n + 1}AlC_n (n = 1–3) phases using first‐principle calculations is reported, where the Raman‐active and infrared‐active (IR) modes are emphasized. The highest phonon wavenumber is related to the vibration of C atoms. The ‘imaginary wavenumber’ in the phonon spectrum of Nb₃AlC₂ contributes to the composition gap in Nb‐Al‐C system (Nb₂AlC and Nb₄AlC₃ do appear in experiments, but there are no experimental reports on Nb₃AlC₂). The full set of Raman‐active and IR‐active modes in the 211, 312, and 413 M_{n + 1}AX_n phases is identified, with the corresponding Raman and IR wavenumbers. The 211, 312, and 413 M_{n + 1}AX_n phases have 4, 6, and 8 IR‐active modes, respectively. There is no distinct difference among the wavenumber ranges of IR‐active modes for 211, 312, and 413 phases, with the highest wavenumber of 780 cm⁻¹ in Ta₄AlC₃. The Raman wavenumbers of M₂AlC phases all decrease with increasing the d‐electron shell number of transition metal M. However, this case is valid only for the Raman‐active modes with low wavenumbers of M₃AlC₂ and M₄AlC₃. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adsorbed states of substituted α‐aminophosphinic acids on a silver electrode surface: comparison with a colloidal silver substrate

We investigated the interfacial structures of various aromatic (each compound contains one or two phenyls) di‐α‐amino ( L¹ – L³ ) and α‐amino‐α‐hydroxyphosphinic ( L⁴ – L⁶ ) acids immobilized onto an electrochemically roughened silver electrode surface in an aqueous solution using surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). These structures were compared to those on a colloidal silver surface to determine the relationship between adsorption strength and geometry. The presence of an enhanced ν_19a ring band in the SERS spectra of L⁶ , L² , and L³ on the electrode indicated that the benzene rings of those molecules interact with the electrode surface through localized CC bond(s). We observed significant band broadening of the benzene ring modes for all α‐hydroxyphosphinic acids on both substrates, except for L¹ deposited onto the electrode surface. This suggests the possibility of direct interaction between the ring and Ag, although the benzene ring–surface π overlap is weaker for the colloidal silver than for the Ag electrode. The downward shift in wavenumber and alternations in the enhancement of a ν₁₂ ring band indicate a general increase of tilt angle on both silver substrates in the order L³ < L⁴ < L⁵ < L⁶ . The altered enhancement of the bands due to the vibrations of the  NH₂ and O PO fragments, a finding observed on both silver substrates, strongly suggests that the groups interact with different strength and geometry with these substrates. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crystal → nematic phase transition in the liquid crystalline system 1‐isothiocyanato‐4‐(trans‐4‐propylcyclohexyl) benzene (3CHBT) probed by temperature‐dependent micro‐Raman study and DFT calculations

Raman spectra of 3CHBT in unoriented form were recorded at 14 different temperature measurements in the range 25–55 °C, which covers the crystal → nematic (N) phase transition, and the Raman signatures of the phase transition were identified. The wavenumber shifts and linewidth changes of Raman marker bands with varying temperature were determined. The assignments of important vibrational modes of 3CHBT were also made using the experimentally observed Raman and infrared spectra, calculated wavenumbers, and potential energy distribution. The DFT calculations using the B3LYP method employing 6‐31G functional were performed for geometry optimization and vibrational spectra of monomer and dimer of 3CHBT. The analysis of the vibrational bands, especially the variation of their peak position as a function of temperature in two different spectral regions, 1150–1275 cm⁻¹ and 1950–2300 cm⁻¹, is discussed in detail. Both the linewidth and peak position of the ( C H ) in‐plane bending and ν(NCS) modes, which give Raman signatures of the crystal → N phase transition, are discussed in detail. The molecular dynamics of this transition has also been discussed. We propose the co‐existence of two types of dimers, one in parallel and the other in antiparallel arrangement, while going to the nematic phase. The structure of the nematic phase in bulk has also been proposed in terms of these dimers. The red shift of the ν(NCS) band and blue shift of almost all other ring modes show increased intermolecular interaction between the aromatic rings and decreased intermolecular interaction between two  NCS groups in the nematic phase. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

FT‐IR,FT‐Raman,SERS spectra and computational calculations of 4‐ethyl‐N‐(2′‐hydroxy‐5′‐nitrophenyl)benzamide

Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) and FT‐Raman spectra of 4‐ethyl‐N‐(2′‐hydroxy‐5′‐nitrophenyl)benzamide were recorded and analyzed. A surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum was recorded in silver colloid. The vibrational wavenumbers and corresponding vibrational assignments were examined theoretically using the Gaussian03 set of quantum chemistry codes. The red shift of the NH stretching wavenumber in the infrared spectrum from the computational wavenumber indicates the weakening of the NH bond resulting in proton transfer to the neighboring oxygen atom. The simultaneous IR and Raman activation of the CO stretching mode gives the charge transfer interaction through a π‐conjugated path. The presence of methyl modes in the SERS spectrum indicates the nearness of the methyl group to the metal surface, which affects the orientation and metal molecule interaction. The first hyperpolarizability and predicted infrared intensities are reported. The calculated first hyperpolarizability is comparable with the reported values of similar derivatives and is an attractive subject for future studies of nonlinear optics. Optimized geometrical parameters of the title compound are in agreement with reported structures. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Probing the ferroelectric phase transition in sol–gel‐derived polycrystalline bismuth ferrite thin films

Polycrystalline BiFeO₃ (BFO) thin films were successfully grown on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si(100) and SrTiO₃ (STO) (100) substrates using the chemical solution deposition (CSD) technique. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicate the polycrystalline nature of the films with rhombohedrally distorted perovskite crystal structure. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was performed on the sol–gel‐derived powder to countercheck the crystal structure, ferroelectric (FE) to paraelectric (PE) phase transition, and melting point of bismuth ferrite. We observed a significant exothermic peak at 840 °C in DTA graphs, which corresponds to an FE–PE phase transition. Raman spectroscopy studies were carried out on BFO thin films prepared on both the substrates over a wide range of temperature. The room‐temperature unpolarized Raman spectra of BFO thin films indicate the presence of 13 Raman active modes, of which five strong modes were in the low‐wavenumber region and eight weak Raman active modes above 250 cm⁻¹. We observed slight shifts in the lower wavenumbers towards lower values with increase in temperature. The temperature‐dependent Raman spectra indicate a complete disappearance of all Raman active modes at 840 °C corresponding to the FE–PE phase transitions. There is no evidence of soft mode phonons. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fabrication of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering‐active ZnO/Ag composite microspheres

We show in this paper how zinc oxide (ZnO)/silver (Ag) composite microspheres can be prepared by the reduction of Ag(NH₃)₂⁺ with the reducing agent formaldehyde in aqueous solution on the surface of ZnO microspheres. During the preparation, Sn²⁺ was absorbed on the surface of ZnO microspheres for sensitization and activation, and then Ag(NH₃)₂⁺ was reduced to Ag nanoparticles by the reducing agent to obtain ZnO/Ag composite microspheres. SEM and TEM images revealed silver nanoparticles with a diameter ranging from tens to 100 nm. X‐Ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and UV‐vis spectra were used to characterize the structure of the ZnO/Ag composite microspheres. The origin of the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering properties was traced to the surface of the ZnO/Ag composite microspheres. The enhancement factor was estimated in detail, and the enhancement mechanism for the SERS effect was also investigated. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of surface morphology on surface‐enhanced Raman scattering of 4‐aminobenzenethiol adsorbed on gold substrates

The substrate‐dependent surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of 4‐aminobenzenethiol (4‐ABT) adsorbed on Au surfaces has been investigated. 4‐ABT is one of the very unique adsorbate molecules whose SERS spectral patterns are known to be noticeably dependent on the relative contribution of chemical enhancement mechanism vs electromagnetic enhancement mechanism. The SERS spectral patterns of 4‐ABT adsorbed on gold substrates with various surface morphology have thus been analyzed in terms of the symmetry types of the vibrational modes. Almost invisibly weak b₂ type vibrational bands were observed in the SERS spectra of the 4‐ABT adsorbed on Au colloidal sol nanoparticles or commercially available Au micro‐powders because of the weak contribution of the chemical enhancement. However, greatly enhanced b₂ vibrational bands were observed in the spectra of the 4‐ABT molecules adsorbed on the synthesized Au(Zn) sponge or the electrochemically roughened Au(ORC) foil caused by the strong contribution of the chemical enhancement mechanism. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

FT‐IR,FT‐Raman and DFT calculations of the salicylanilide derivate 4‐chloro‐2‐(4‐bromophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl acetate

FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectra of 4‐chloro‐2‐(4‐bromophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl acetate were recorded and analyzed. The vibrational wavenumbers and corresponding vibrational assignments were examined theoretically using the Gaussian03 set of quantum chemistry codes. The red shift of the NH stretching wavenumber in the infrared (IR) spectrum from the computed wavenumber indicates the weakening of the NH bond resulting in proton transfer to the neighbouring oxygen atom. The simultaneous IR and Raman activations of the CO stretching mode give the charge transfer interaction through a π‐conjugated path. Optimized geometrical parameters of the title compound are in agreement with similar reported structures. From the optimized structure, it is clear that the hydrogen bonding decreases the double bond character of CO bond and increases the double bond character of the C N bonds. The first hyperpolarizability, predicted infrared intensities and Raman activities are reported. The calculated first hyperpolarizability is comparable with the reported values of similar derivatives and is an attractive object for future studies of non‐linear optics. The assignments of the normal modes are done by potential energy distribution (PED) calculations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvation of AgTFSI in 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquid investigated by vibrational spectroscopy and DFT calculations

In this paper we investigate the solvation of silver bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide salt (AgTFSI) in 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium TFSI [EMI][TFSI] ionic liquid by combining Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopies with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The IR and Raman spectra were measured in the 200–4000 cm⁻¹ spectral region for AgTFSI/[EMI][TFSI] solutions with different concentrations ([AgTFSI] <0.2 mole fraction). The analysis of the spectra shows that the spectral features observed by dissolution of AgTFSI in [EMI][TFSI] solution originate from interactions between the Ag⁺ cation and the first neighboring TFSI anions to form relatively stable Ag complexes. The ‘gas phase’ interaction energy of a type [Ag(TFSI)₃]²⁻ complex was evaluated by DFT calculations and compared with other interionic interaction energy contributions. The predicted spectral signatures because of the [Ag(TFSI)₃]²⁻ complex were assessed in order to interpret the main IR and Raman spectral features observed. The formation of such complexes leads to the appearance of new interaction‐induced bands situated at 753 cm⁻¹ in Raman and at 1015 and 1371 cm⁻¹ in IR, respectively. These specific spectral signatures are associated with the ‘breathing’ mode and the S–N–S and S–O stretching modes of the TFSI anions engaged in the complex. Finally, all these findings are discussed in terms of interaction mechanisms enabling the electrodeposition characteristics of silver from AgTFSI/[EMI][TFSI] IL‐based electrolytic solutions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of inter-molecular hydrogen bonding in the binary mixture (acetone + water) by concentration dependent Raman study and ab initio calculations

This paper reports that vibrational spectroscopic analysis on hydrogen-bonding between acetone and water comprises both experimental Raman spectra and ab initio calculations on structures of various acetone/water complexes with changing water concentrations. The optimised geometries and wavenumbers of the neat acetone molecule and its complexes are calculated by using ab initio method at the MP2 level with 6-311+G(d,p) basis set. Changes in wavenumber position and linewidth (fullwidth at half maximum) have been explained for neat as well as binary mixtures with different mole fractions of the reference system, acetone, in terms of intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The combination of experimental Raman data with ab initio calculation leads to a better knowledge of the concentration dependent changes in the spectral features in terms of hydrogen bonding.     

Vibrational spectroscopy investigation using density functional theory on 7‐chloro‐3‐methyl‐2H‐1,2,4‐ benzothiadiazine 1,1‐dioxide

The solid phase Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Fourier transform (FT) Raman spectral analysis of 7‐chloro‐3‐methyl‐2H‐1,2,4‐benzothiadiazine 1,1‐dioxide (diazoxide), an antihypertensive agent was carried out along with density functional computations. The optimized geometry, wavenumber and intensity of the vibrational bands of diazoxide were obtained by DFT‐B3LYP level of theory with complete relaxation in the potential energy surface using 6‐31G(d,p) basis set. A complete vibrational assignment aided by the theoretical harmonic frequency analysis has been proposed. The harmonic vibrational wavenumbers calculated have been compared with experimental FTIR and FT Raman spectra. The observed and the calculated wavenumbers are found to be in good agreement. The experimental spectra coincide satisfactorily with those of calculated spectra. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DFT studies of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy of 1,4‐benzenedithiol–Au2 complex under the effect of static electric fields

In this work, we demonstrate that the applied electric‐field strength and orientation can multiply modulate the Raman intensity and vibrational wavenumber of small molecule–metal complex, 1,4‐benzenedithiol–Au₂ (1,4BDT–Au₂), by density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory simulations. The polarizabilities are changed by the applied electric fields, leading to enhanced specific vibrational intensity and shifted vibrational wavenumber of the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering effect. The applied electric fields perturb the bonds and angles of the 1,4BDT–Au₂ complex. Owing to this reason, the peaks of Raman spectra related to these structures exhibit distinguishable responses in quasi‐static field (low‐frequency oscillating electric field). We use the visualized method of charge difference density to show that the electric fields tune the traditional excited state to pure charge‐transfer excited state. The charge‐transfer resonance transition produces enhanced Raman intensities for non‐totally symmetric modes and totally symmetric modes. These simulation results of the function of static electric field provide new guidance for the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering measurements. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.