Potential-dependant SERS interaction of ortho-substituted N-benzylamino(boronphenyl)methylphosphonic acid with Ag, Au, and Cu electrode surfaces

In this study we present surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) investigations of ortho-substituted N-benzylamino(boronphenyl)methylphosphonic acid (N-benzylamino-(2-boronphenyl)-R-methylphosphonic acid; o-PhR) adsorbed onto a roughened in oxidation–reduction cycles (ORC) Ag, Au, and Cu electrode surfaces at different applied electrode potentials. Based on the spectral changes in bandwidth and wavenumber of selected bands upon the alternation of the applied electrodes potential the manner and differences in the interaction of o-PhR with the Ag, Au, and Cu electrode surfaces were determined. Briefly, the spectral patterns on Ag and Au suggest that, generally, the both aromatic rings are involved in the o-PhR/electrode interaction, whereas the boronophenyl ring only interacts with Cu. Also, the boronic acid and phosphonic acid groups participate in the o-PhR interaction with all the types of electrodes. However, the type of the used electrode material and the applied electrode potential have influence onto the mode of adsorption.