Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic studies on 1H-1,2,4-triazole adsorbed on silver colloidal nanoparticles

1H-1,2,4-triazole is a very effective corrosion inhibitor for copper. The adsorption of this compound on silver colloidal nanoparticles has been studied by means of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). SERS data are interpreted with the help of DFT calculations of models of the surface complex formed by 1H-1,2,4-triazole on the silver colloidal nanoparticles surface. It was found that this compound is adsorbed on metal surface in its anionic form and that it interacts with silver through the N1 and N2 atoms. The molecular plane assumes a tilted orientation with respect to the silver surface.