Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic and surface plasmon resonance in situ study of self-assembly of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid on gold surface

A feasibility study has been undertaken to assess the suitability of a commercially available SERS substrate for monitoring of self-assembling deposition process. Monolayer self-assembly of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid on SERS active substrate Klarite™ from absolute and acidified ethanol was studied and compared with deposition on SPR substrate from absolute ethanol. Changes in integral intensity of the phenyl bands at 1587 and 1076 cm−1 and ethanol band at 1451 cm−1 allow to follow structural changes in the monolayer. Stability of the monolayer assembled from acidified ethanol in contrast to the pure ethanol was demonstrated.