Effect of laser illumination oxidation-reduction cycles upon surface-enhanced Raman scaterring from silver electrodes

The intensity of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) from thiocyanate and chloride adsorbed on silver electrodes is shown to depend critically on whether the electrode is illuminated during the oxidation-reduction cycle used to pretreat the electrode. The value and magnitude of the photoeffect is dependent upon the type of surface vibrational mode, the adsorbate and the wavelength of the radiation during the ORC. The effects are attributed to the production of SERS active clusters of Ag atoms by photoreduction of the Ag(I) phase films during the ORC.