New horizon of in-situ Raman spectroelectrochemistry on single-crystal surfaces

Single crystal electrodes possess highly ordered and well-defined surface structures, making them ideal model systems for studying the mechanism of electrocatalytic reactions. The latest advancements in shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) have made it possible to identify the intermediate products of reactions on single crystal electrodes. By isolating the nanoparticles with a protective shell, it is possible to enhance the Raman signals at the surface of the single crystal electrode without modifying the surface structure or affecting the electrochemical response. Therefore, this perspective attempts at providing a new horizon of the recent advancements in electrochemical studies using SHINERS on single crystal electrodes. The focus of the discussion is on the integration of electrochemical methods with SHINERS for the effective monitoring of reaction intermediates and the prospects of single crystal electrochemical Raman spectroscopy are also presented.