Nanoscale Chemical Probing of Metal-Supported Ultrathin Ferrous Oxide via Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Metal-supported ultrathin ferrous oxide (FeO) has attracted immense interest in academia and industry due to its widespread applications in heterogeneous catalysis. However, chemical insight into the local structural characteristics of FeO, despite its critical importance in elucidating structure-property relationships, remains elusive. In this work, we report the nanoscale chemical probing of gold (Au)-supported ultrathin FeO via ultrahigh-vacuum tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (UHV-TERS) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). For comparative analysis, single-crystal Au(111) and Au(100) substrates are used to tune the interfacial properties of FeO. Although STM images show distinctly different moiré superstructures on FeO nanoislands on Au(111) and Au(100), TERS demonstrates the same chemical nature of FeO by comparable vibrational features. In addition, combined TERS and STM measurements identify a unique wrinkled FeO structure on Au(100), which is correlated to the reassembly of the intrinsic Au(100) surface reconstruction due to FeO deposition. Beyond revealing the morphologies of ultrathin FeO on Au substrates, our study provides a thorough understanding of the local interfacial properties and interactions of FeO on Au, which could shed light on the rational design of metal-supported FeO catalysts. Furthermore, this work demonstrates the promising utility of combined TERS and STM in chemically probing the structural properties of metal-supported ultrathin oxides on the nanoscale.

Tip-Enhanced Raman Imaging of Plasmon-Driven Coupling of 4-Nitrobenzenethiol on Au-Decorated Magnesium Nanostructures

Magnesium nanoparticles (MgNPs) exhibit localized surface plasmon resonances across the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared parts of electromagnetic spectrum and are attracting increasing interest due to their sustainability and biocompatibility. In this study, we used tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) to examine the photocatalytic properties of MgNP protected by a thin native oxide layer and their Au-modified bimetallic analogs produced by partial galvanic replacement, Au-MgNPs. We found no reduction of 4-nitrobenzenethiol (4-NBT) to p,p'-dimercaptoazobisbenzene (DMAB) when a Au-coated tip was placed in contact with a self-assembled monolayer of 4-NBT molecules adsorbed on MgNPs alone. However, decorating Mg with Au made these bimetallic structures catalytically active. The DMAB signal signature of photocatalytic activity was more delocalized around AuNPs attached to Mg than around AuNPs on a Si substrate, indicating coupling between the Mg core and Au decorations. This report on photocatalytic activity of a bimetallic structure including plasmonic Mg paves the way for further catalyst architectures benefiting from Mg's versatility and abundance.

A Theoretical Investigation about Photoswitching of Azobenzene Adsorbed on Ag Nanoparticles

The optical properties of hybrid systems composed of silver nanoparticles (NPs) and azobenzene molecules were systematically investigated by combining the real-time time-dependent density functional theory (RT-TDDFT) approach with the classical electrodynamics finite difference time domain (FDTD) technique for the solution of Maxwell’s equations. In order to reflect the chemical interaction between azobenzene and metal more exactly, except for adsorbed molecules, a Ag cluster separated from NP was also dealt, using RT-TDDFT. We studied the different factors affecting the surface-enhanced absorption spectra. It was found that the electric field amplified by plasmon resonance of Ag NPs can have an overall enhancement to the molecular light absorption throughout the whole energy range. The resonance between the electron and the plasmon excitation results in a larger percentage of enhancement in the absorption spectrum the closer the resonance peak is. The enhancement ratio of the resonance peak is the largest. The plasmon–exciton coupling and the optical properties of different isolate isomers influence the line shape of the absorption spectra. The dipole interaction and electronic transfer between azobenzene molecules and Ag NPs also change the shape of spectroscopy from the absorption enhancement ratio and the location of the peak. Physical and chemical factors lead to photoswitching in these hybrid systems together.

Probing the plasmon-driven Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions with cargo-TERS towards tailored catalysis

We present a label-free approach that is based on tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) for a direct in situ assessment of the molecular reactivity in plasmon-driven reactions. Using this analytical approach, named cargo-TERS, we investigate the relationship between the chemical structure of aromatic halides and the catalytic probability of the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction on gold-palladium bimetallic nanoplates (Au@PdNPs). We demonstrate that cargo-TERS can be used to quantify the yield of biphenyl-4,4'-dithiol (BPDT), the product of the coupling reaction. Our results also show that the halide reactivity decreases from bromo through chloro to fluorohalides. Finally, we employ this novel imaging technique to unravel the nanoscale reactivity and selectivity of Au@PdNPs. We find that the edges and corners of these nanostructures exhibit the highest catalytic reactivity, while the flat terraces of Au@PdNPs remain catalytically inactive.

Advances in Application of Azobenzene as a Trigger in Biomedicine: Molecular Design and Spontaneous Assembly

Azobenzene is a well-known derivative of stimulus-responsive molecular switches and has shown superior performance as a functional material in biomedical applications. The results of multiple studies have led to the development of light/hypoxia-responsive azobenzene for biomedical use. In recent years, long-wavelength-responsive azobenzene has been developed. Matching the longer wavelength absorption and hypoxia-response characteristics of the azobenzene switch unit to the bio-optical window results in a large and effective stimulus response. In addition, azobenzene has been used as a hypoxia-sensitive connector via biological cleavage under appropriate stimulus conditions. This has resulted in on/off state switching of properties such as pharmacology and fluorescence activity. Herein, recent advances in the design and fabrication of azobenzene as a trigger in biomedicine are summarized.

Raman Detection of Bond Breaking and Making of a Chemisorbed Up-Standing Single Molecule at Single-Bond Level

Probing bond breaking and making as well as related structural changes at the single-molecule level is of paramount importance for understanding the mechanism of chemical reactions. In this work, we report in situ tracking of bond breaking and making of an up-standing melamine molecule chemisorbed on Cu(100) by subnanometer resolved tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). We demonstrate a vertical detection depth of about 4 Å with spectral sensitivity at the single chemical-bond level, which allows us not only to justify the up-standing configuration involving a dehydrogenation process at the bottom upon chemisorption, but also to specify the breaking of top N-H bonds and the transformation to its tautomer during photon-induced hydrogen transfer reactions. Our results indicate the chemical and structural sensitivity of TERS for single-molecule recognition beyond flat-lying planar molecules, providing new opportunities for probing the microscopic mechanism of molecular adsorption and surface reactions at the chemical-bond level.

Azo bond formation on metal surfaces

The formation of azo compounds via redox cross‐coupling of nitroarenes and arylamines, challenging in solution phase chemistry, is achieved by on‐surface chemistry. Reaction products are analyzed with a cryogenic scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). By using well‐designed precursors containing both an amino and a nitro functionality, azo polymers are prepared on surface via highly efficient nitro‐amino cross‐coupling. Experiments conducted on other substrates and surface orientations reveal that the metal surface has a significant effect on the reaction efficiency. The reaction was further found to proceed from partially oxidized/reduced precursors in dimerization reactions, shedding light on the mechanism that was studied by DFT calculations.

Atomic Force Microscopy-Based Force Spectroscopy and Multiparametric Imaging of Biomolecular and Cellular Systems

During the last three decades, a series of key technological improvements turned atomic force microscopy (AFM) into a nanoscopic laboratory to directly observe and chemically characterize molecular and cell biological systems under physiological conditions. Here, we review key technological improvements that have established AFM as an analytical tool to observe and quantify native biological systems from the micro- to the nanoscale. Native biological systems include living tissues, cells, and cellular components such as single or complexed proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, or sugars. We showcase the procedures to customize nanoscopic chemical laboratories by functionalizing AFM tips and outline the advantages and limitations in applying different AFM modes to chemically image, sense, and manipulate biosystems at (sub)nanometer spatial and millisecond temporal resolution. We further discuss theoretical approaches to extract the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of specific biomolecular interactions detected by AFM for single bonds and extend the discussion to multiple bonds. Finally, we highlight the potential of combining AFM with optical microscopy and spectroscopy to address the full complexity of biological systems and to tackle fundamental challenges in life sciences.

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for nanoscale probing of dynamic chemical systems

Dynamics are fundamental to all aspects of chemistry and play a central role in the mechanism and product distribution of a chemical reaction. All dynamic processes are influenced by the local environment, so it is of fundamental and practical value to understand the structure of the environment and the dynamics with nanoscale resolution. Most techniques for measuring dynamic processes have microscopic spatial resolution and can only measure the average behavior of a large ensemble of sites within their sampling volumes. Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is a powerful tool for overcoming this limitation due to its combination of high chemical specificity and spatial resolution that is on the nanometer scale. Adapting it for the study of dynamic systems remains a work in progress, but the increasing sophistication of TERS is making such studies more routine, and there are now growing efforts to use TERS to examine more complex processes. This Perspective aims to promote development in this area of research by highlighting recent progress in using TERS to understand reacting and dynamic systems, ranging from simple model reactions to complex processes with practical applications. We discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that TERS presents for future studies.

The Expanding Frontiers of Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Fundamental understanding of chemistry and physical properties at the nanoscale enables the rational design of interface-based systems. Surface interactions underlie numerous technologies ranging from catalysis to organic thin films to biological systems. Since surface environments are especially prone to heterogeneity, it becomes crucial to characterize these systems with spatial resolution sufficient to localize individual active sites or defects. Spectroscopy presents as a powerful means to understand these interactions, but typical light-based techniques lack sufficient spatial resolution. This review describes the growing number of applications for the nanoscale spectroscopic technique, tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), with a focus on developments in areas that involve measurements in new environmental conditions, such as liquid, electrochemical, and ultrahigh vacuum. The expansion into unique environments enables the ability to spectroscopically define chemistry at the spatial limit. Through the confinement and enhancement of light at the apex of a plasmonic scanning probe microscopy tip, TERS is able to yield vibrational fingerprint information of molecules and materials with nanoscale resolution, providing insight into highly localized chemical effects.

Optical scanning tunneling microscopy based chemical imaging and spectroscopy

Through coupling optical processes with the scanning tunneling microscope (STM), single-molecule chemistry and physics have been investigated at the ultimate spatial and temporal limit. Electrons and photons can be used to drive interactions and reactions in chemical systems and simultaneously probe their characteristics and consequences. In this review we introduce and review methods to couple optical imaging and spectroscopy with scanning tunneling microscopy. The integration of the STM and optical spectroscopy provides new insights into individual molecular adsorbates, surface-supported molecular assemblies, and two-dimensional materials with subnanoscale resolution, enabling the fundamental study of chemistry at the spatial and temporal limit. The inelastic scattering of photons by molecules and materials, that results in unique and sensitive vibrational fingerprints, will be considered with tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. STM-induced luminescence examines the intrinsic luminescence of organic adsorbates and their energy transfer and charge transfer processes with their surroundings. We also provide a survey of recent efforts to probe the dynamics of optical excitation at the molecular level with scanning tunneling microscopy in the context of light-induced photophysical and photochemical transformations.

Infrared and Raman chemical imaging and spectroscopy at the nanoscale

The advent of nanotechnology, and the need to understand the chemical composition at the nanoscale, has stimulated the convergence of IR and Raman spectroscopy with scanning probe methods, resulting in new nanospectroscopy paradigms. Here we review two such methods, namely photothermal induced resonance (PTIR), also known as AFM-IR and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). AFM-IR and TERS fundamentals will be reviewed in detail together with their recent crucial advances. The most recent applications, now spanning across materials science, nanotechnology, biology, medicine, geology, optics, catalysis, art conservation and other fields are also discussed. Even though AFM-IR and TERS have developed independently and have initially targeted different applications, rapid innovation in the last 5 years has pushed the performance of these, in principle spectroscopically complimentary, techniques well beyond initial expectations, thus opening new opportunities for their convergence. Therefore, subtle differences and complementarity will be highlighted together with emerging trends and opportunities.

Site-dependent selectivity in oxidation reactions on single Pt nanoparticles

Site-dependent selectivity in oxidation reactions on Pt nanoparticles was identified by conducting IR nanospectroscopy measurements while using allyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes (allyl-NHCs) as probe molecules.

Tip-Enhanced Raman Excitation Spectroscopy (TERES): Direct Spectral Characterization of the Gap-Mode Plasmon

The plasmonic properties of tip-substrate composite systems are of vital importance to near-field optical spectroscopy, in particular tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), which enables operando studies of nanoscale chemistry at a single molecule level. The nanocavities formed in the tip-substrate junction also offer a highly tunable platform for studying field-matter interactions at the nanoscale. While the coupled nanoparticle dimer model offers a correct qualitative description of gap-mode plasmon effects, it ignores the full spectrum of multipolar tip plasmon modes and their interaction with surface plasmon polariton (SPP) excitation in the substrate. Herein, we perform the first tip-enhanced Raman excitation spectroscopy (TERES) experiment and use the results, both in ambient and aqueous media, in combination with electrodynamics simulations, to explore the plasmonic response of a Au tip-Au substrate composite system. The gap-mode plasmon features a wide spectral window corresponding to a host of tip plasmon modes interacting with the plasmonic substrate. Simulations of the electric field confinement demonstrate that optimal spatial resolution is achieved when a hybrid plasmon mode that combines a multipolar tip plasmon and a substrate SPP is excited. Nevertheless, a wide spectral window over 1000 nm is available for exciting the tip plasmon with high spatial resolution, which enables the simultaneous resonant detection of different molecular species. This window is robust as a function of tip-substrate distance and tip radius of curvature, indicating that many choices of tips will work, but it is restricted to wavelengths longer than ∼600 nm for the Au tip-Au substrate combination. Other combinations, such as Ag tip-Ag substrate, can access wavelengths as low as 350 nm.