Applications of Raman and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Techniques to Humic Substances

This paper highlights the use of Raman, FT-Raman and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) techniques for the study of humic substances. In contrast to other technologies which reveal information only about the average compositions and the kinds of functional groups present in humic substances, Raman and especially FT-Raman spectroscopies characterize the building blocks of humic substances and their changes in derivation and separation processes. Furthermore, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) techniques are able to readily detect humic substances and co-existing organic species at low concentrations typically found in natural environments and reveal definitive information about the specific groups in humic substances that bind on metal electrodes. Further applications of both Raman and SERS techniques can be extended to complicated systems as well as real environmental samples. Experiments have demonstrated: (1). the backbones of humic substances are structurally disordered carbon networks in most cases; (2). The backbones of humic substances from different sources and types are similar to each other; (3). Normal Raman spectroscopic study of humic substances should concentrate on the use of near-IR laser(s) resulting from strong fluorescence background and self-adsorption under the excitation with visible laser irradiation; (4). FT-Raman spectroscopy is the required analytical method to assess the effectivity of fractionation methods; (5). SERS spectra of humic substances on metal colloids and films are in most aces very similar to the corresponding Raman spectra of neutralized samples; (6). SERS techniques are very sensitive and highly selective, also both visible lasers and near-IR lasers can be used for SERS study; (7). SERS spectra on metal electrodes may provide additional information about the binding sites and adsorption mechanisms of humic substances on metal surfaces.