A simple method for the determination of the orientation of low-symmetry adsorbates on metal surfaces supporting surface-enhanced Raman scattering by predominantly the electromagnetic mechanism is presented. This method is based on the modification of the isotropic intensity ratio of two vibrational modes of known spatial relation of the molecule by the total electric field, and hence radiation intensity, existing at the metal surface. This total radiation field represents the vector sum of the components normal and tangential to the metal surface, both of which exist for radiation in the visible-wavelength region. The validity of this method is demonstrated for methanol adsorbed on Ag surfaces through the use of the symmetric and asymmetric v(C-H) vibrations. Application of this approach to a series of molecules containing four carbon units and methyl groups (1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, 1-butanethiol, and 2-butanethiol adsorbed on Ag surfaces and 1-butanethiol adsorbed on Au surfaces) is reported.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.