Characterization of the interface between metal and tris (8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum using surface-enhanced Raman scattering with glass cap encapsulation

► Glass cap encapsulation in dry nitrogen enables reproducible and stable SERS measurements. ► The SERS signal of Alq3 was stable for at least 2 months. ► Vapor deposition of Ag onto Alq3 films shows new vibrational modes assigned to radical anion of Alq3. ► The technique is applied to investigate the interface between the deposited metal and the Alq3.