Probing the Conformational Transition of 2,2′-Bipyridyl under External Field by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Abstract

Investigations on conformational transition of a small organic molecule are important to understand the conformation principles in chemistry and biology. We employed a low-temperature surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (LT-SERS) technique to probe the conformational changes of 2,2′-bipyridyl (22BPY) on Ag nanoparticles at the presence of external fields. An electrochemical system was used to provide an electrostatic field, and a special magnet was designed to supply a magneto-static field. High-quality and distinguishable SERS spectra of 22BPY were obtained at the different environments, which show fingerprint labels for correlative conformations of the 22BPY. The conformational transition of 22BPY is implemented via its adsorption on the Ag nanoparticles by triggers of the external electric field and magnetic field