Irreversible loss of adatoms on Ag electrodes during potential cycling determined from surface enhanced raman intensities

Abstract

Surface enhanced Raman scattering of adsorbates (Ag 0-Cl −, H 2O and pyridine) on Ag electrodes in 1M KC1 and 1M KCl+0.05M pyridine electrolytes was monitored continuously with an optical multichannel analyzer system as the electrode potential was cycled over various ranges within nonfaradaic regions of the oxidation-reduction cycle. A systematic investigation was performed of the potential dependence of SERS of pyridine in 1M KX + 0.05M pyridine electrolytes, where X = F, Cl, Br and I. Since the surface coverage of the adsorbates is reversible with potential cycling within a potential range, it was possible to determine potential dependences of the irreversible loss in the SERS enhancement factor which occurs as the electrode potential is ramped toward the potential of zero charge (PZC). The results provide strong support for the role of adatoms on the electrode surface in the overall enhancement mechanism. There is evidence that the strongly bound adsorbates immobilize the adatoms at positive potentials but allow the adatoms to migrate and become lost at surface defects as the potential approaches the PZC where the adsorbates are less tightly bound.