SERS investigations of 2,3-dibromo-1,4-naphthoquinone on silver nanoparticles

[Display omitted] . ► Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by solution combustion method. ► SERS studies reveals orientation. ► SERS spectrum of DBNQ shows higher enhancement for CC stretching mode. ► Orientation of DBNQ on silver nanoparticle is flat-on. In the present study silver nanoparticles were synthesized using a solution combustion method with glycine as fuel. The prepared silver nanoparticles show an fcc crystalline structure with a particle size of 39nm. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of 2,3-dibromo-1,4-naphthoquinone (DBNQ) adsorbed on silver nanoparticles were investigated. The CC stretching modes were enhanced and they were broaden in SERS spectrum with respect to normal Raman spectrum. The spectral analysis reveals that the DBNQ adsorbed flat-on orientation on the silver surface. DFT calculations are also performed to study the vibrational features of DBNQ.