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Filez M, Walke P, Le-The H, Toyouchi S, Peeters W, Tomkins P, Eijkel JCT, De Feyter S, Detavernier C, De Vos DE, Uji-I H, Roeffaers MBJ. Nanoscale Chemical Diversity of Coke Deposits on Nanoprinted Metal Catalysts Visualized by Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2305984. [PMID: 37938141 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Coke formation is the prime cause of catalyst deactivation, where undesired carbon wastes block the catalyst surface and hinder further reaction in a broad gamut of industrial chemical processes. Yet, the origins of coke formation and their distribution across the catalyst remain elusive, obstructing the design of coke-resistant catalysts. Here, the first-time application of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is demonstrated as a nanoscale chemical probe to localize and identify coke deposits on a post-mortem metal nanocatalyst. Monitoring coke at the nanoscale circumvents bulk averaging and reveals the local nature of coke with unmatched detail. The nature of coke is chemically diverse and ranges from nanocrystalline graphite to disordered and polymeric coke, even on a single nanoscale location of a top-down nanoprinted SiO2 -supported Pt catalyst. Surprisingly, not all Pt is an equal producer of coke, where clear isolated coke "hotspots" are present non-homogeneously on Pt which generate large amounts of disordered coke. After their formation, coke shifts to the support and undergoes long-range transport on the surrounding SiO2 surface, where it becomes more graphitic. The presented results provide novel guidelines to selectively free-up the coked metal surface at more mild rejuvenation conditions, thus securing the long-term catalyst stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Filez
- Centre for Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions (cMACS), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Conformal Coating of Nanomaterials (CoCooN), Department of Solid State Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281/S1, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Peter Walke
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Hai Le-The
- BIOS Lab-on-a-Chip Group, MESA+ Institute, University of Twente, Enschede, NB, 7522, The Netherlands
| | - Shuichi Toyouchi
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Wannes Peeters
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Patrick Tomkins
- Centre for Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions (cMACS), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Jan C T Eijkel
- BIOS Lab-on-a-Chip Group, MESA+ Institute, University of Twente, Enschede, NB, 7522, The Netherlands
| | - Steven De Feyter
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Christophe Detavernier
- Conformal Coating of Nanomaterials (CoCooN), Department of Solid State Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281/S1, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Dirk E De Vos
- Centre for Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions (cMACS), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Hiroshi Uji-I
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Research Institute for Electronic Science (RIES), Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 001-0020, Japan
- Division of Information Science and Technology, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0814, Japan
| | - Maarten B J Roeffaers
- Centre for Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions (cMACS), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
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Litman Y, Bonafé FP, Akkoush A, Appel H, Rossi M. First-Principles Simulations of Tip Enhanced Raman Scattering Reveal Active Role of Substrate on High-Resolution Images. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:6850-6859. [PMID: 37487223 PMCID: PMC10405274 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) has emerged as a powerful tool to obtain subnanometer spatial resolution fingerprints of atomic motion. Theoretical calculations that can simulate the Raman scattering process and provide an unambiguous interpretation of TERS images often rely on crude approximations of the local electric field. In this work, we present a novel and first-principles-based method to compute TERS images by combining Time Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) and Density Functional Perturbation Theory (DFPT) to calculate Raman cross sections with realistic local fields. We present TERS results on free-standing benzene and C60 molecules, and on the TCNE molecule adsorbed on Ag(100). We demonstrate that chemical effects on chemisorbed molecules, often ignored in TERS simulations of larger systems, dramatically change the TERS images. This observation calls for the inclusion of chemical effects for predictive theory-experiment comparisons and an understanding of molecular motion at the nanoscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yair Litman
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
- MPI
for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Franco P. Bonafé
- MPI
for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alaa Akkoush
- MPI
for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Fritz
Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, Faradayweg 4−6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Heiko Appel
- MPI
for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mariana Rossi
- MPI
for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Fritz
Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, Faradayweg 4−6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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3
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Fiederling K, Abasifard M, Richter M, Deckert V, Kupfer S, Gräfe S. A Full Quantum Mechanical Approach Assessing the Chemical and Electromagnetic Effect in TERS. ACS NANO 2023. [PMID: 37429582 PMCID: PMC10373516 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c11855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is a valuable method for surface analysis with nanometer to angstrom-scale resolution; however, the accurate simulation of particular TERS signals remains a computational challenge. We approach this challenge by combining the two main contributors to plasmon-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and to the high resolution in TERS, in particular, the electromagnetic and the chemical effect, into one quantum mechanical simulation. The electromagnetic effect describes the sample's interaction with the strong, highly localized, and inhomogeneous electric fields associated with the plasmonic tip and is typically the thematic focus for most mechanistic studies. On the other hand, the chemical effect covers the different responses to the extremely close-range and highly position-sensitive chemical interaction between the apex tip atom(s) and the sample, and, as we could show in previous works, plays an often underestimated role. Starting from a (time-dependent) density functional theory description of the chemical model system, comprised of a tin(II) phthalocyanine sample molecule and a single silver atom as the tip, we introduce the electromagnetic effect through a series of static point charges that recreate the electric field in the vicinity of the plasmonic Ag nanoparticle. By scanning the tip over the molecule along a 3D grid, we can investigate the system's Raman response on each position for nonresonant and resonant illumination. Simulating both effects on their own already hints at the achievable signal enhancement and resolution, but the combination of both creates even stronger evidence that TERS is capable of resolving submolecular features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Fiederling
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Mostafa Abasifard
- Institute of Applied Physics and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Albert-Einstein-Str. 15, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Richter
- DS Deutschland GmbH, Am Kabellager 11-13, 51063 Cologne, Germany
| | - Volker Deckert
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT), Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Stephan Kupfer
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Stefanie Gräfe
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Institute of Applied Physics and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Albert-Einstein-Str. 15, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering, Albert-Einstein-Str. 7, 07745 Jena, Germany
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Lu Y, Yan L, Xi X, Fan W, Du R, Li J, Fu Z, Zhang Z. Selective Raman Enhancement with Electronic Sensitivity in Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. J Phys Chem A 2022; 126:9147-9153. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.2c04929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yirui Lu
- School of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Lei Yan
- School of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Xiangtai Xi
- School of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Wenli Fan
- School of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Ruhai Du
- School of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Jinping Li
- School of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Zhengkun Fu
- School of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710119, China
| | - Zhenglong Zhang
- School of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710119, China
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Single-Molecule Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22134889. [PMID: 35808385 PMCID: PMC9269420 DOI: 10.3390/s22134889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Single-molecule surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SM-SERS) has the potential to detect single molecules in a non-invasive, label-free manner with high-throughput. SM-SERS can detect chemical information of single molecules without statistical averaging and has wide application in chemical analysis, nanoelectronics, biochemical sensing, etc. Recently, a series of unprecedented advances have been realized in science and application by SM-SERS, which has attracted the interest of various fields. In this review, we first elucidate the key concepts of SM-SERS, including enhancement factor (EF), spectral fluctuation, and experimental evidence of single-molecule events. Next, we systematically discuss advanced implementations of SM-SERS, including substrates with ultra-high EF and reproducibility, strategies to improve the probability of molecules being localized in hotspots, and nonmetallic and hybrid substrates. Then, several examples for the application of SM-SERS are proposed, including catalysis, nanoelectronics, and sensing. Finally, we summarize the challenges and future of SM-SERS. We hope this literature review will inspire the interest of researchers in more fields.
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Camden JP, Masiello DJ, Ren B. Spectroscopy and microscopy of plasmonic systems. J Chem Phys 2021; 155:090401. [PMID: 34496589 DOI: 10.1063/5.0065513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jon P Camden
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - David J Masiello
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Bin Ren
- Department of Chemistry, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
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Zhu JZ, Chen G, Ijaz T, Li XG, Dong ZC. Influence of an atomistic protrusion at the tip apex on enhancing molecular emission in tunnel junctions: A theoretical study. J Chem Phys 2021; 154:214706. [PMID: 34240995 DOI: 10.1063/5.0048440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Light emission from the gap of a scanning tunneling microscope can be used to investigate many optoelectronic processes at the single-molecule level and to gain insight into the fundamental photophysical mechanisms involved. One important issue is how to improve the quantum efficiency of quantum emitters in the nanometer-sized metallic gap so that molecule-specific emission can be clearly observed. Here, using electromagnetic simulations, we systematically investigate the influence of an atomic-scale protrusion at the tip apex on the emission properties of a point dipole in the plasmonic nanocavity. We found that such an atomistic protrusion can induce strong and spatially highly confined electric fields, thus increasing the quantum efficiency of molecular fluorescence over two orders of magnitude even when its dipole is oriented parallel to the metal surface, a situation occurring in most realistic single-molecule electroluminescence experiments. In addition, our theoretical simulations indicate that due to the lightning rod effect induced by the protrusion in a plasmonic nanocavity, the quantum efficiency increases monotonically as the tip approaches the dipole to the point of contact, instead of being quenched, thus explaining previous experimental observations with ever-enhancing fluorescence. Furthermore, we also examine in detail how the protrusion radius, height, and material affect the protrusion-induced emission enhancement. These results are believed to be instructive for further studies on the optoelectronic properties of single molecules in tip-based plasmonic nanocavities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Zhe Zhu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Gong Chen
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Talha Ijaz
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Xiao-Guang Li
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Zhen-Chao Dong
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
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