SERS detection of heterogeneous reactions at catalytic interfaces using bifunctional metal nanoparticles

Insight into the molecular changes at catalytic interfaces is of fundamental importance not only for understanding reaction mechanism but also for rational design of high-efficient catalysts. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a sensitive spectroscopic technique which could be used in label-free monitoring of the molecular transformations on noble metals. This review introduces the synthesis of bifunctional metal nanoparticles comprising both SERS-active and catalytically-active metals. The use of the bifunctional nanoparticles in SERS monitoring of metal-catalyzed chemical reactions, such as the reduction of 4-nitrothiophenol, the photocatalytic oxidation of 4-aminothiophenol and the oxidation of carbon monoxide, is summarized. Finally, the limitations of SERS study of conventional catalytic reactions are discussed and the possible future development is prospected.