The molecular orientation of PNBA on silver nanoparticles

The molecular orientations ofp-nitrobenzoic acid (PNBA) on the surface of silver nanoparticles and silver mirror have been investigated by using surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. In the mixed system of silver colloid/PNBA/ethanol, the orientation of PNBA on silver nanoparticles remarkably different from that on silver mirror was observed, and it mainly resulted from the cooperation effect of the adsorption to surface active sites on silver under the pressure of aqueous molecules. This result is of some significance for further studying surface-interfacial structures and properties of silver nanoparticles, and the technique used in this note is feasible to get the SERS spectra of some molecules insoluble in aqueous solution.