Surface-enhanced hyper-Raman scattering (SEHRS) on Ag film over Nanosphere (FON) electrodes: surface symmetry of centrosymmetric adsorbates.

Electrochemical surface-enhanced hyper-Raman scattering (SEHRS) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of centrosymmetric molecules on Ag film over nanosphere (AgFON) electrodes are presented. The SEHR spectra of trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (BPE) at different potentials (vs Ag/AgCl) are presented for the first time, and a reversible potential tuning of the SEHR spectra of BPE is demonstrated. The SEHRS and SERS techniques were used to determine to what extent either site symmetry reduction or field gradient effects dictate the origin of the observed vibrational spectra. It is found that the SEHR and SER spectra for the molecules studied were distinctly different at all frequency regions at a fixed voltage, suggesting that centrosymmetry is largely retained upon adsorption to the AgFON surface and that field gradient effects are negligible. This work also shows that the SEHR spectra clearly depend on potential, whereas the SER spectra are essentially independent of potenial. It is determined that the combination of changes in deltaGads and the presence of coadsorbed counterions are responsible for altering the local symmetry of the adsorbate and only SEHRS has the sensitivity to detect these changes in the surface environment. Thus, SEHRS is a uniquely useful spectroscopic tool that is much more sensitive to the local adsorption environment than is SERS.

Analysis of anions in hydrofluoro ethers by ion chromatography.

Hydrofluoro ethers (HFES) are considered to be an ideal cleaning solvent in applications like vapor degreasing and wet cleaning. It is also a good solvent replacement for CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons), HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) and chlorinated solvents because they have a short atmospheric lifetime and low global warming potential. Based upon their properties, hydrofluoro ethers are ideally suited for the demands of the electronics industry. However, the electronics industry requires these solvents to have high purity, especially in the area of residual anions. This paper will present information on an extraction methodology for the transfer of anions from the hydrofluoro ether to water. Then, an analytical method utilizing ion chromatography that is capable of detection of 10 anions (fluoride, acetate, formate, chloride, nitrite, bromide, nitrate, sulfate, oxalate, and phosphate) in the part per billion level will be demonstrated.