The vibrational spectrum of carbon monoxide at the Pt/acetonitrile interface as a function of applied
potential has been investigated using the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy technique. The electrolyte
is 0.1 M LiClO4. The bands observed at ca. 506 and 2055 cm-1 are attributed to the platinum−CO (νPt
-
C)
and intramolecular C−O (νC
-
O) stretching vibrations, respectively, suggesting linearly adsorbed CO on
platinum. The νPt
-
C band has an experimental Stark tuning rate of −4 cm-1/V, while the slope of νC
-
O band
frequency versus potential approaches zero before the onset of electro-oxidation of COads, possibly resulting
from low surface coverage of CO on platinum. The roughened Pt electrode surface has a high electrocatalytic
activity, on which CO electro-oxidation occurs at ca. −0.7 V (vs Ag/Ag+). The main product of COads oxidation
is confirmed to be carbonate due to the existence of trace water in the double-layer region as a source of
oxygen for the reaction. It has also been found that the solvent acetonitrile can exert a chemisorbed
decomposition reaction on the roughened Pt surface, while the adsorption of CO can significantly inhibit
this reaction.