Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis of the adsorption of 2-thiouracil to Au, Ag and Cu electrodes: Surface potential dependence

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy has been used to study the potential controlled behavior of 2-thiouracil adsorbed on silver, gold and copper electrodes. Comparison of the normal Raman and SER spectra shows that the molecule adsorbs chemically to the metallic surfaces through its deprotonated sulfur atom. The position of the molecular aromatic ring in respect to the surface normal under potential modulation was analyzed using the electromagnetic theory's selection rules. Our data indicate that for all electrodes the surface potential induces a molecular reorientation leading to a more upright or tilted position.