Probing the Formation, Structure, and Reactivity of Zn(II), Ag(I), and Fe(II) Complexes with 2,2′:6′,2″-Terpyridine on Ag Nanoparticles Surfaces by Time Evolution of SERS Spectra, Factor Analysis, and DFT Calculations

Abstract

The adsorption and surface reactivity of 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (tpy) and its metal (M = Zn2+, Fe2+, Ag+) complexes on Ag nanoparticle surfaces together with the structure of the resulting MsX+-tpy surface species and the mechanism of their formation have been investigated. The process was elucidated by time-dependent surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra, their treatment by factor analysis (FA), density functional theory (DFT) calculations of Raman spectra, and comparison of the SERS spectra of the surface species (obtained by FA) with the Raman spectra of their synthetic analogues (characterized by X-ray diffraction). SERS spectral time evolution revealed surface-induced decomposition of the [Zn(tpy)2]2+ complex and formation of Zns2+-tpy and Ags+-tpy surface species, accompanied by a ligand exchange of one tpy ligand for chloride anions on the Zn2+ center. The inhibition of Ags+-tpy surface species formation was achieved by addition of Zn2+ cations prior to the addition of the [Zn(tpy)2]2+ c...