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Updated: Mar 2, 2026
Author Spotlight: Tracking Electrochemistry on Single Nanoparticles with Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Spectroscopy and Microscopy
Published on: May 12, 2023
In situ dynamic tracking of heterogeneous nanocatalytic processes by shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman
Hua Zhang1, Chen Wang1, Han-Lei Sun1
1MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, iChEM, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
Abstract:
Surface molecular information acquired in situ from a catalytic process can greatly promote the rational design of highly efficient catalysts by revealing structure-activity relationships and reaction mechanisms. Raman spectroscopy can provide this rich structural information, but normal Raman is not sensitive enough to detect trace active species adsorbed on the surface of catalysts. Here we develop a general method for in situ monitoring of heterogeneous catalytic processes through shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) satellite nanocomposites (Au-core silica-shell nanocatalyst-satellite structures), which are stable and have extremely high surface Raman sensitivity. By combining operando SHINERS with density functional theory calculations, we identify the working mechanisms for CO oxidation over PtFe and Pd nanocatalysts, which are typical low- and high-temperature catalysts, respectively. Active species, such as surface oxides, superoxide/peroxide species and Pd-C/Pt-C bonds are directly observed during the reactions. We demonstrate that in situ SHINERS can provide a deep understanding of the fundamental concepts of catalysis.
