Nickel molecules, surface scattering

Inelastic scattering of neutrons yields neutron scattering spectra that measure the vibrational energy levels of the material under study. For example, the chemisorption of water on Raney nickel was shown by inelastic scattering both to produce hydroxyl groups and to chemisorb water molecules on the surface at less than monolayer coverages. 

An early example of surface Raman without field enhancement is shown in Figure 13.7. This measurement predated the development of CCD detectors and represents a major achievement in terms of sensitivity (12). The adsorption of nitrobenzene on a well-defined nickel surface was carried out in UHV then Raman scattering was observed with a single spectrograph and an intensified Vidicon detector. Unenhanced spectra were obtained from 7.5 x lO molecules cm of nitrobenzene (1.1 x 10 " mol cm ), corresponding to a submonolayer. Examples of surface Raman spectroscopy with resonance enhancement include monolayers of phthalocyanines on gold (17) and ordered graphite (18), and multilayers of metalloporphyrins (19). 

Raman spectroscopy is not particularly surface sensitive but a surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect is observed on some metals (copper, gold, silver, nickel etc). On an appropriately prepared (roughened) surface or on metal colloids the surface coverage of molecules can be measured by Raman spectroscopy with high sensitivity. 

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