Surface-enhanced Raman scattering effect for copper oxygenous compounds array within the alumina template pores synthesized by ac deposition from Cu(II) acetate solution

Abstract Strong SERS effect for copper oxygenous compounds array synthesized from slightly acidic Cu(II) acetate solution using ac electrolysis is shown. The formation of cuprous oxide, Cu 2 O, with some metallic Cu 0 phase within pH range from 4.80 to 5.15 is demonstrated using X-ray spectroscopy (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. The presence of both CuO and acetate anions (CH 3 COO − ) incorporated into the alumina during ac treatment were also detected in the thicker templates. It was found that a rod-shaped array of the aggregates in diameters from 80 to 120 nm exhibit relatively small electromagnetic enhancements of signals at 634 and 150 cm −1 , a common range for Cu 2 O when using for excitation a 1064 nm line laser. In contrast, intense surface-enhanced Raman bands of carboxylate group, ν s (COO), of acetate anion at 1366 and 1395 cm −1 in 632.8 nm-excited spectrum were observed for the first time for these aggregates deposited into the alumina template with a diameter of about 15 nm.