Molecular-Resolution Interrogation of a Porphyrin Monolayer by Ultrahigh Vacuum Tip-Enhanced Raman and Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) and optically excited tip-enhanced fluorescence (TEF) of a self-assembled porphyrin monolayer on Ag(111) are studied using an ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscope (UHV-STM). Through selectively exciting different Q-bands of meso-tetrakis- (3,5-ditertiarybutylphenyl)-porphyrin (H₂TBPP), chemical information regarding different vibronic excited states is revealed by a combination of theory and experiment; namely, TERS and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) simulations. The observed TEF spectra suggest a weak coupling of H₂TBPP to the substrate due to the bulky t-butyl groups and a possible alternative excited state decay path. This work demonstrates the potential of combining TERS and TEF for studying surface-mounted porphyins on substrates, thus providing insight into porphyrin-sensitized solar cells and catalysis. (Figure Presented).