Adsorption of 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-hydroxytoluene (BHT) on gold nanoparticles: Assignment and interpretation of surface-enhanced Raman scattering

► Raman spectrum of BHT by density functional theory calculation with Gaussian 03 at B3LYP/6-311G(d). ► The limit of detection of BHT reached the level of 10 μg/mL with SERS in methanol. ► BHT adsorbed on to gold nanoparticles by PhO(H) (Ph = phenyl).