title: Investigation of the Kinetics of a Surface Photocatalytic Reaction in Two Dimensions with Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering.
abstract: Heterogeneous catalysis is a surface phenomenon. Yet, though the catalysis itself takes place on surfaces, the reactants and products rapidly take the form of another physical state, as either a liquid or a gas. Catalytic reactions within a self-assembled monolayer are confined within two dimensions, as the molecules involved do not leave the surface. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is an ideal technique to probe these self-assembled monolayers as it gives molecular information in a measured volume limited to the surface. We show how surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy can be used to determine the reaction kinetics of a two-dimensional reaction. As a proof of principle, we study the photocatalytic reduction ofp-nitrothiophenol. A study of the reaction rate and dilution effects leads to the conclusion that a dimerization must take place as one of the reaction steps.
authors.affiliation: Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht (The Netherlands).
authors.forename: Evelien M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: van Schrojenstein Lantman
authors.affiliation: Condensed Matter and Interfaces, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 1, 3584 CC Utrecht (The Netherlands).
authors.forename: Onno L J
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Gijzeman
authors.affiliation: Materials Analysis-MiPlaza, Philips Innovation Services, High Tech Campus 11, 5656 AE Eindhoven (The Netherlands).
authors.forename: Arjan J G
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mank
authors.affiliation: Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht (The Netherlands).
authors.forename: Bert M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Weckhuysen
keywords: Raman spectroscopy; heterogeneous catalysis; reaction kinetics; self‐assembly; surface‐enhanced Raman scattering