By utilizing SERS (surface-enhanced Raman scattering) technique and a confocal microprobe Raman system, the dissociation and adsorption of acetonitrile molecule on the roughened silver and gold electrodes were investigated in non-aqueous acetonitrile system. It is found that at the negative potential acetonitrile molecule can be partially dissociated to cyanide (CN^-), and the complex from the interaction between cyanide and the surface ofthe electrode can be adsorbed on the surface of the electrode over a wide potential range. At the same time, the trace amount of water in the solution, illumination of laser and the electrode potential all have great influence on the decomposition of acetonitrile. By comparing the Raman spectra with each other, it is assumed that the dissociated cyanide of acetonitrile more strongly interacts with the gold electrode than the silver electrode.

Key words: ACETONITRILE, ADSORPTION