Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Imaging of Photopatterned Self-Assembled Monolayers

A nonroughened evaporated silver film was used as a substrate for a self-assembled monolayer of p -nitrothiophenol, which was then subjected to UV photopatterning. The photopattern was imaged using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of SERS to image a patterned monolayer. Although the nature of the photoproduct is uncertain, it is probable that it is predominantly the azobenzene species.