Surface enhanced Raman scattering of benzotriazole: a molecular orientational study

Surface enhanced Raman scattering of benzotriazole in aqueous silver sol at pH approximately 9 has been investigated. The spectra of the molecule at various concentrations were recorded and the maximum enhancement was observed with a 10(-5) M solution. From the comparison of the surface enhanced Raman spectra with the conventional Raman spectra and applying "surface selection rule", it is inferred that the molecular ion interacts with the silver sol via the nitrogen atoms of the benzotriazole ring and the molecule assumes a near "end-on" orientation.