SHINERS for the Study of Electrochemical and Catalytic Processes

壳层分离纳米粒子增强拉曼光谱(SHINERS)是一种非常有用和灵敏的光谱表征工具，它不仅可以让我们研究分子结构，还可以跟踪原位/操作数的反应。原位/操作数分析允许实时研究反应和过程，因此，可以看到任何中间物种和反应。拉曼光谱本身不够灵敏，不足以完成对反应中痕量物种和中间体的详细分析，这往往是由于拉曼截面较小和寿命有限，导致产生微弱信号。这导致很难确定观察到了什么。利用金、银和铜等金属纳米粒子，我们可以利用表面等离子体共振现象来增强被检测的信号。通过将这些纳米粒子覆盖在非常薄(2-4 nm)的惰性层中，如二氧化硅或氧化铝，它们就成为壳层隔离的纳米粒子(SHINS)。这使得金属纳米颗粒的增强效应得以利用，而不会对所研究的反应、过程或分子产生影响。闪光灯在使用过渡金属的催化过程的现场研究中显示出巨大的潜力，因为闪光灯不会干扰过程，因此可以提供对经常发生的复杂反应的洞察。出于这些原因，闪光灯还允许在现场研究电化学过程。在这项研究工作中，金纳米粒子将被包裹在SiO_2或Al_2O_3的惰性层中，通过拉曼光谱研究铂和铜催化乙醛加氢的过程。这些壳层分离的金纳米颗粒还将用于研究电池电极上发生的过程和退化机理。这项研究将与强生-马泰公司合作进行。

Shell isolated nanoparticle enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) is a highly useful and sensitive spectroscopic characterisation tool that allows us not only to study the structure of a molecule but to follow reactions in situ/operando. In situ/operando analysis allows for reactions and processes to be studied in real time and therefore, for any intermediate species and reactions to be seen. Raman spectroscopy by itself is not sensitive enough to complete detailed analysis of trace amounts of species and intermediates in reactions, often due to small Raman cross sections and limited lifetimes, which lead to weak signals being produced. This leads to difficulty determining what has been observed. Using metal nanoparticles, such as gold, silver, and copper, we can use the surface plasmon resonance phenomenon to enhance the signals being detected. By covering these nanoparticles in a very thin (2-4 nm) inert layer, such as SiO2 or Al-2O3, they become shell isolated nanoparticles (SHINs). This allows for the enhancing effect of the metal nanoparticles to be utilised without having an effect on the reaction, process, or molecule being studied. SHINERS show great potential for use in the in situ study of catalytic processes that use transition metals, as the SHINs will not interfere with the process and can therefore provide insight into the often complex reactions taking place. SHINERS also allow for electrochemical processes to be studied in situ for these reasons. In this research endeavour, gold nanoparticles will be encased in an inert layer of SiO2 or Al2O3 to study the catalytic process of aldehyde hydrogenation using platinum and copper via Raman spectroscopy. These shell isolated gold nanoparticles will also be used to study processes occurring on and the degradation mechanism of battery electrodes. This research will be done in conjunction with Johnson-Matthey PLC.