Probing On-Surface Chemistry at the Nanoscale Using Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Abstract

Chemistry on solid surfaces is central to many research areas of practical interest, such as synthesis, catalysis, electrochemistry, photochemistry, and materials science. A comprehensive understanding of the nanoscale on-surface chemistry involved in these areas is important for establishing composition–structure–performance relationships. With the rapid development of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), it has become possible to investigate physical and chemical processes on suitable surfaces at the nanoscale level and in real space. In this review, after a brief introduction of the background of on-surface chemistry and TERS, we systematically discuss the progress in the application of TERS in this field. Our focus is the applications of TERS to nanoscale coordination processes, decomposition reactions, polymerization processes, electrochemical reactions, catalytic chemistry, and functionalization chemistry on solid surfaces. We conclude by discussing the future challenges and development of TERS techniques and related applications in on-surface chemistry.