In situ monitoring PMCR reaction on Cu/N/C nanosheets substrates through valence regulation and element doping strategy

Photo-induced Metal-Catalyzed Radical Polymerization (PMCR) of nitroaromatic compounds represents a highly effective strategy for synthesizing aromatic azo compounds, with broad applications across materials science, medicine, and agricultural chemistry. Cu/N/C nanosheets (NSs) substrates were prepared through thermal decomposition from Cu-based Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). PMCR of 4-Aminothiophenol (PATP) to 4,4′-Dithiodianiline (DMAB) was in situ monitored on the prepared substrates by Raman spectroscopy technique. It exhibit efficient localized surface plasmon resonance effects with over 10⁵ Raman enhancement factor, significantly promoting the conversion of PATP to DMAB under an applied electric field. It is attributed to the adjustment of the energy band structure of the material through N-doping and the precise control over the valence state of Cu elements within the material. This research presents a highly simple, efficient, and cost-effective strategy for accelerating the coupling reaction of nitroaromatic compounds, while also proposing a novel approach for monitoring plasma-interface reactions.