Spin quenching of Mn in complexes and CO binding with Mn deposited on MgO and CaO supports: DFT calculations

An attempt has been made to analyze the spin quenching properties of Mn, as a representative of transition metals, in Mn·MgO, Mn·CaO, OC·Mn·MgO, and OC·Mn·CaO complexes formed at the regular (001) surfaces of MgO and CaO, as well as the adsorption of CO on Mn deposited on MgO and CaO by means of hybrid density functional theory calculations and embedded cluster model. Clusters of moderate sizes were embedded in the simulated Coulomb fields that closely approximate the Madelung fields of the host surfaces. A test has been made to examine the effect of artificial flow of charge. While the spin states of Mn in Mn·MgO and Mn·CaO complexes are preserved, the combined effects of adsorbate and substrate in OC·Mn·MgO and OC·Mn·CaO complexes are strong enough to favor the low spin states and to quench the spin. The deposited Mn atoms enhance the adsorption of CO on MgO and CaO surfaces. The significant weakening of bond strength between OC and Mn in complexes supports the concept of bond order conservation. The relation between the strength of CO adsorption and the basicity of the support is verified. The natural bond orbital analysis reveals that the electronic structure of the adsorbed metal represents a qualitative change with respect to that of the free metal. The effects of spin contamination on the geometry, Mulliken charges, and adsorption energy are examined. The binding of CO precursor is dominated by the E(i)^Mn···CO pairwise additive components in MgO and CaO complexs, and the role of the support is not restricted to supporting the metal. The adsorbed CO molecules exhibit no remarkable deviation from linearity. Finally, relations are established between the process of spin quenching and the energy gaps between frontier orbitals. The results show that the spin state of adsorbed metal atoms on oxide supports and the role of precursor molecules on the magnetic and binding properties of complexes need to be explicitly taken into account. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Characterization of metal oxide surfaces and thin semiconductor films by inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy.

Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (IETS) is a unique surface and interface analytical technique using electron tunneling through a metal/insulator/metal tunneling junction at cryogenic temperatures. It gives the vibrational spectrum of a very thin (nm) insulator film and the adsorbed species on it. The high sensitivity, good resolution, and wide spectral range inherent in IETS enable us to analyze the surface and interface of the insulator in detail. The tunneling junction is a good model system for oxide catalysts, electronic devises, and solid state sensors. Information about the surfaces of alumina and magnesia, the adsorption states and chemical reactions of adsorbed species occurring on these oxides can be obtained through an analysis of the tunneling spectra. The structures and properties of evaporated thin semiconductor films can also be studied. In this review, the surface characterization of alumina and magnesia, the adsorption and surface reactions of organic acids, esters, amides, and nitryls on these oxides, and the characterization of thin evaporated films of Si, Ge, and the oxides are summarized.     

Charge transfer and formation of reduced Ce3+ upon adsorption of metal atoms at the ceria (110) surface

The modification of cerium dioxide with nanoscale metal clusters is intensely researched for catalysis applications, with gold, silver, and copper having been particularly well studied. The interaction of the metal cluster with ceria is driven principally by a localised interaction between a small number of metal atoms (as small as one) and the surface and understanding the fundamentals of the interaction of metal atoms with ceria surfaces is therefore of great interest. Much attention has been focused on the interaction of metals with the (111) surface of ceria, since this is the most stable surface and can be grown as films, which are probed experimentally. However, nanostructures exposing other surfaces such as (110) show high activity for reactions including CO oxidation and require further study; these nanostructures could be modified by deposition of metal atoms or small clusters, but there is no information to date on the atomic level details of metal-ceria interactions involving the (110) surface. This paper presents the results of density functional theory (DFT) corrected for on-site Coulomb interactions (DFT+U) calculations of the adsorption of a number of different metal atoms at an extended ceria (110) surface; the metals are Au, Ag, Cu, Al, Ga, In, La, Ce, V, Cr, and Fe. Upon adsorption all metals are oxidised, transferring electron(s) to the surface, resulting in localised surface distortions. The precise details depend on the identity of the metal atom. Au, Ag, Cu each transfer one electron to the surface, reducing one Ce ion to Ce(3+), while of the trivalent metals, Al and La are fully oxidised, but Ga and In are only partially oxidised. Ce and the transition metals are also partially oxidised, with the number of reduced Ce ions possible in this surface no more than three per adsorbed metal atom. The predicted oxidation states of the adsorbed metal atoms should be testable in experiments on ceria nanostructures modified with metal atoms.     

Spin polarized metastable helium de-excitation processes on metal surfaces

Spin polarized de-excitation of a metastable helium atom interacting with metal surfaces is treated within density functional theory. The method is based on a self-consistent calculation of the spin dependent electronic properties of the system, such as the surface density of states and the localized surface states, to compute the transition rate. On the high work function Ag(100) and Ag(111) surfaces, the helium 2s electron is delocalized in the metal and hence the transition rate is weakly spin dependent. The existence of a Shockley surface state in Ag(111) determines a neutralization rate that is about 59% larger than that from Ag(100). On a low work function metal, namely Na(100), the rate is of smaller magnitude than those on silver because the 2s triplet resonance is found to be more occupied. Consequently, emitted electrons can display a strong spin dependence also for a paramagnetic surface.     

Reversible Photoswitching of a Spin‐Crossover Molecular Complex in the Solid State at Room Temperature

Spin‐crossover metal complexes are highly promising magnetic molecular switches for prospective molecule‐based devices. The spin‐crossover molecular photoswitches developed so far operate either at very low temperatures or in the liquid phase, which hinders practical applications. Herein, we present a molecular spin‐crossover iron(II) complex that can be switched between paramagnetic high‐spin and diamagnetic low‐spin states with light at room temperature in the solid state. The reversible photoswitching is induced by alternating irradiation with ultraviolet and visible light and proceeds at the molecular level.     

A study of electronic structures of Pt3M (M=Ti,V,Cr,Fe,Co,Ni) polycrystalline alloys with valence-band photoemission spectroscopy

The surface valence-band densities of states (DOS) of Pt(3)M (M=Ti,V,Cr,Fe,Co,Ni) polycrystalline alloys were investigated with ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy. Upon annealing the ion-sputter-cleaned alloys at high temperatures, the observed valence-band DOS spectra clearly show the modified electronic structures on the surfaces suggesting the surface segregation of Pt as predicted in thermodynamic models. The measured d-band centers and widths for the annealed alloy surfaces show qualitatively the same trend as predicted by density-functional-theory calculations based on the model of a Pt "skin" on the topmost surface layer and a subsurface layer enriched in the 3d transition metal.     

Photocatalytic oxidation of propylene with molecular oxygen over highly dispersed titanium, vanadium, and chromium oxides on silica

Photocatalytic oxidation of propylene with molecular oxygen at room temperature was investigated over various silica-supported metal oxides with low loading. The photocatalytic active site is assumed to be the isolated tetrahedrally coordinated metal oxides in the ligand-to-metal charge-transferred state, such as (Mdelta- -OLdelta+). Photocatalytic epoxidation of propylene into propylene oxide was promoted over silica-supported V and Ti oxides at steady state. Over silica-supported Cr oxide, the propylene oxide formation rate was remarkably decreased with the time course in the reaction. The oxidation state and the coordination environment of the supported Ti, V, and Cr oxide species were determined by diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy (DRS) and electron spin resonance (ESR). During the photocatalytic oxidation, the oxidation state of the Ti4+ species was not varied. On the other hand, the V5+ species was partially reduced to V4+ and the Cr6+ species was successively reduced to Cr5+ and Cr3+. An isotopic tracer study of the C3H6-18O2 reaction suggests the difference of the active oxygen species between TiO2/SiO2 and V2O5/SiO2. The active oxygen species on TiO2/SiO2 is derived from molecular oxygen. On the other hand, the photogenerated products on V2O5/SiO2 incorporate the lattice oxygen of the surface metal oxide species. It is suggested that the kinds of terminal ligand (hydroxyl or oxo) of the tetrahedrally coordinated metal oxides on silica decide the active oxygen species in the photocatalytic oxidation. A photoinduced hole center on the monohydroxyl (SiO)3Ti-OH species activates molecular oxygen that reacts with propylene. In the case of the monooxo (SiO)3V=O and dioxo (SiO)2Cr=O2 species, the photoactivated lattice oxygen (OL-) directly reacts with propylene.     

Adsorption characteristics of various organic substances on the surfaces of tantalum, titanium, and zirconium

Adsorption characteristics of carboxylic acids, amines, an octapeptide composed of four L-alanine and four L-aspartic acid residues (Peptide-A4D4), and beta-lactoglobulin (beta-Lg) on tantalum (Ta), titanium (Ti), and zirconium (Zr) particles were examined at 30 degrees C and in some case, were compared with their adsorption onto SUS316L stainless steel particles (S6L). The adsorption isotherms on the Ta, Ti, and Zr particles could usually be expressed either by a Langmuir-type equation for reversible adsorption or by a modified Langmuir-type adsorption equation including terms for both reversible and irreversible adsorption. The adsorption equilibrium of benzoic acid, benzylamine, and m-xylylenediamine on all the metal surfaces followed a Langmuir-type equation, while those of phthalic acid, mellitic acid, and Peptide-A4D4 could be fitted to the modified Langmuir-type adsorption equation. The adsorption characteristics of different adsorbates on the different surfaces were discussed particularly with reference to the pH dependencies of the q(irrev), q(rev), and K values and the electrostatic properties of the oxidized surface of the metal particles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analyses using a reflection/absorption technique (RA-IR) indicated that phthalic acid and mellitic acid are adsorbed in similar adsorption states irrespective of the type of metal. beta-Lg was adsorbed onto the surfaces principally in an irreversible manner. The desorption behavior of beta-Lg from Ta, Ti, and S6L surfaces was examined, in order to evaluate the extent of interaction between beta-Lg and the metals.     

Spin uncoupling in ethylene activation by palladium and platinum atoms

Spin‐dependent effects in complex formation reactions of the ethylene molecule with palladium and platinum atoms were studied by electron correlation calculations with account of spin–orbit coupling. Simple correlation diagrams illustrating spin‐uncoupling mechanisms were obtained, showing that the low spin state of the transition‐metal atom or the transition‐metal atom complex is always more reactive than are the high spin states because of the involvement of the triplet excited molecule in the chemical activation. Spin–orbit coupling calculations of the reaction between a platinum atom and ethylene explain the high‐spin Pt(³D) reactivity as due to an effective spin flip at the stage of the weak triplet complex formation. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 72: 581–596, 1999     

磁性分子自旋态检测与调控的STM研究

单分子自旋态检测与可逆调控是目前物理、化学及信息技术等领域的研究热点．本文综述了扫描隧道显微镜在该领域的研究进展,着重论述了酞菁类磁性分子在金属单晶表面或绝缘层薄膜上磁性的检测;自旋交叉配合物分子自旋双稳态的检测与可逆调控;单分子磁体的表面制备及输运性质的检测．     

Protein-associated water and secondary structure effect removal of blood proteins from metallic substrates

Removing adsorbed protein from metals has significant health and industrial consequences. There are numerous protein-adsorption studies using model self-assembled monolayers or polymeric substrates but hardly any high-resolution measurements of adsorption and removal of proteins on industrially relevant transition metals. Surgeons and ship owners desire clean metal surfaces to reduce transmission of disease via surgical instruments and minimize surface fouling (to reduce friction and corrosion), respectively. A major finding of this work is that, besides hydrophobic interaction adhesion energy, water content in an adsorbed protein layer and secondary structure of proteins determined the access and hence ability to remove adsorbed proteins from metal surfaces with a strong alkaline-surfactant solution (NaOH and 5 mg/mL SDS in PBS at pH 11). This is demonstrated with three blood proteins (bovine serum albumin, immunoglobulin, and fibrinogen) and four transition metal substrates and stainless steel (platinum (Pt), gold (Au), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), and 316 grade stainless steel (SS)). All the metallic substrates were checked for chemical contaminations like carbon and sulfur and were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). While Pt and Au surfaces were oxide-free (fairly inert elements), W, Ti, and SS substrates were associated with native oxide. Difference measurements between a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR) provided a measure of the water content in the protein-adsorbed layers. Hydrophobic adhesion forces, obtained with atomic force microscopy, between the proteins and the metals correlated with the amount of the adsorbed protein-water complex. Thus, the amount of protein adsorbed decreased with Pt, Au, W, Ti and SS, in this order. Neither sessile contact angle nor surface roughness of the metal substrates was useful as predictors here. All three globular proteins behaved similarly on addition of the alkaline-surfactant cleaning solution, in that platinum and gold exhibited an increase, while tungsten, titanium, and stainless steel showed a decrease in weight. According to dissipation measurements with the QCM-D, the adsorbed layer for platinum and gold was rigid, while that for the tungsten, titanium, and stainless steel was much more flexible. The removal efficiency of adsorbed-protein by alkaline solution of SDS depended on the water content of the adsorbed layers for W, Ti, and SS, while for Pt and Au, it depended on secondary structural content. When protein adsorption was high (Pt, Au), protein-protein interactions and protein-surface interactions were dominant and the removal of protein layers was limited. Water content of the adsorbed protein layer was the determining factor for how efficiently the layer was removed by alkaline SDS when protein adsorption was low. Hence, protein-protein and protein-surface interactions were minimal and protein structure was less perturbed in comparison with those for high protein adsorption. Secondary structural content determined the efficient removal of adsorbed protein for high adsorbed amount.     

Calculation of the surface energy of bcc metals by using the modified embedded‐atom method

The surface energies for 24 surfaces of bcc metals Li, Na, K, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W and Fe have been calculated by using the modified embedded‐atom method. The results show that for most bcc metals the lowest surface energies correspond to the (110) surface, as predicted from the bcc lattice, and the highest surface energies correspond to the (433) surface. From surface energy minimization, the (110) texture should be favourable in the bcc films. This is consistent with experimental results. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of defect sites on oxide surfaces by metastable impact electron spectroscopy

In this review, thin films of SiO₂ on Mo(1 1 2) and MgO(1 0 0) on Mo(1 0 0) have been characterized using metastable impact electron and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopies (metastable impact electron spectroscopy (MIES) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy). The electronic and chemical properties of the thin films are identical to those of the corresponding bulk oxides. For different prepared defective SiO₂ surfaces, additional features are observed in the band-gap region. These features arise from vacancies or excess oxygen and are consistent with theoretical predictions of additional occupied states in the band-gap due to point defects. Extended defect sites on SiO₂ and MgO are identified using MIES by a narrowing of the O(2p) features with a reduction in the density of extended defect sites. MIES of adsorbed Xe (MAX) is also used to estimate the density of extended defect sites. Furthermore, it is shown that CO is an appropriate probe molecule for estimating the defect density of MgO surfaces. Upon Ag exposure, the change in the work function of a low defect MgO(1 0 0) versus a high defect surface is markedly different. For a sputter-damaged MgO(1 0 0) surface, an initial decrease of the work function was found, implying that small Ag clusters on this surface are electron deficient. In contrast, for SiO₂ no significant change of the work function upon Ag exposure with increasing defect density was observed. On MgO(1 0 0), the presence of defect sites markedly alter the electronic and chemical properties of supported Ag clusters. Such a strong influence of defect sites was not found for Ag clusters on SiO₂.     

Redox and Conformational Equilibria and Dynamics of Cytochrome c at High Electric Fields

Cytochrome c (Cyt‐c) adsorbed in the electrical double layer of the Ag electrode/electrolyte interface has been studied by stationary and time‐resolved surface‐enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy to analyse the effect of strong electric fields on structure and reaction equilibria and dynamics of the protein. In the potential range between +0.1 and ?0.55 V (versus saturated calomel electrode), the adsorbed Cyt‐c forms a potential‐dependent reversible equilibrium between the native state B1 and a conformational state B2. The redox potentials of the bis‐histidine‐coordinated six‐coordinated low‐spin and five‐coordinated high‐spin substates of B2 were determined to be ?0.425 and ?0.385 V, respectively, whereas the additional six‐coordinated aquo‐histidine‐coordinated high‐spin substate was found to be redox‐inactive. The redox potential for the conformational state B1 was found to be the same as in solution in agreement with the structural identity of the adsorbed B1 and the native Cyt‐c. For all three redox‐active species, the formal heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants are small and of the same order of magnitude (3–13 s^?1), which implies that the rate‐limiting step is largely independent of the redox‐site structure. These findings, as well as the slow and potential‐dependent transitions between the various conformational (sub‐)states, can be rationalized in terms of an electric field‐induced increase of the activation energy for proton‐transfer steps linked to protein structural reorganisation. Further increasing the electric field strength by shifting the electrode potential above +0.1 V leads to irreversible structural changes that are attributed to an unfolding of the polypeptide chain.     

Adsorption of enterobactin to metal oxides and the role of siderophores in bacterial adhesion to metals

The potential contribution of chemical bonds formed between bacterial cells and metal surfaces during biofilm initiation has received little attention. Previous work has suggested that bacterial siderophores may play a role in bacterial adhesion to metals. It has now been shown using in situ ATR-IR spectroscopy that enterobactin, a catecholate siderophore secreted by Escherichia coli, forms covalent bonds with particle films of titanium dioxide, boehmite (AlOOH), and chromium oxide-hydroxide which model the surfaces of metals of significance in medical and industrial settings. Adsorption of enterobactin to the metal oxides occurred through the 2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl moieties, with the trilactone macrocycle having little involvement. Vibrational modes of the 2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl moiety of enterobactin, adsorbed to TiO(2), were assigned by comparing the observed IR spectra with those calculated by the density functional method. Comparison of the observed adsorbate IR spectrum with the calculated spectra of catecholate-type [H(2)NCOC(6)H(3)O(2)Ti(OH)(4)](2-) and salicylate-type [H(2)NCOC(6)H(3)O(2)HTi(OH)(4)](2-) surface complexes indicated that the catecholate type is dominant. Analysis of the spectra for enterobactin in solution and that adsorbed to TiO(2) revealed that the amide of the 2,3-dihydroxybenzoylserine group reorientates during coordination to surface Ti(IV) ions. Investigation into the pH dependence of enterobactin adsorption to TiO(2) surfaces showed that all 2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl groups are involved. Infrared absorption bands attributed to adsorbed enterobactin were also strongly evident for E. coli cells attached to TiO(2) particle films. These studies give evidence of enterobactin-metal bond formation and further suggest the generality of siderophore involvement in bacterial biofilm initiation on metal surfaces.     

Atomic‐Level Elucidation of the Initial Stages of Self‐Assembled Monolayer Metallization and Nanoparticle Formation

The development of high‐performance molecular electronics and nanotech applications requires deep understanding of atomic level structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of electrode/molecular interfaces. Recent electrochemical experiments on self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) have identified highly practical means to generate nanoparticles and metal monolayers suspended above substrate surfaces through SAM metallizations. A rational basis why this process is even possible is not yet well‐understood. To clarify the initial stages of interface formation during SAM metallization, we used first‐principles spin‐polarized density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study Pd diffusion on top of 4‐mercaptopyridine (4MP) SAMs on Au(111). After distinguishing potential‐energy surfaces (PESs) for different spin configurations for transition metal atoms on the SAM, we find adatom diffusion is not possible over the clean 4MP–SAM surface. Pre‐adsorption of transition‐metal atoms, however, facilitates atomic diffusion that appears to explain multiple reports on experimentally observed island and monolayer formation on top of SAMs. Furthermore, these diffusions most likely occur by moving across low‐lying and intersecting PESs of different spin states, opening the possibility of magnetic control over these systems. Vertical diffusion processes were also investigated, and the electrolyte was found to play a key role in preventing metal permeation through the SAM to the substrate.     

The paradox of an insulating contact between a chemisorbed molecule and a wide band gap semiconductor surface

Controlling the intrinsic optical and electronic properties of a single molecule adsorbed on a surface requires electronic decoupling of some molecular orbitals from the surface states. Scanning tunneling microscopy experiments and density functional theory calculations are used to study a perylene molecule derivative (DHH-PTCDI), adsorbed on the clean 3 × 3 reconstructed wide band gap silicon carbide surface (SiC(0001)-3 × 3). We find that the LUMO of the adsorbed molecule is invisible in I(V) spectra due to the absence of any surface or bulk states and that the HOMO has a very low saturation current in I(z) spectra. These results present a paradox that the molecular orbitals are electronically isolated from the surface of the wide band gap semiconductor even though strong chemical bonds are formed.     

Observable consequences of formation of Au anions from deposition of Au atoms on ultrathin oxide films

Charging of metal atoms or clusters on oxide surfaces has important consequences on their chemical and physical properties. Recently it is has been shown that negatively charged gold atoms and clusters form spontaneously from neutral Au atoms deposited on ultrathin MgO films. The formation of anions on the surface remains difficult to prove experimentally. Also theoretically, the discrimination between neutral and charged adsorbed species is not straightforward. In this paper we perform an accurate analysis of the observable consequences of the formation of Au anions on an oxide surface. To this end we consider the following properties: spin distribution, density of states, Bader charges, substrate relaxation, simulated scanning tunneling microscopy images, work function changes, CO vibrational frequency, electric field effects, and core level shifts. Most of these properties are accessible experimentally, at least in principle. Taken individually, these properties do not necessarily provide conclusive evidence about the charged nature of the adsorbate. Taken together, they offer a complete and unambiguous characterization of the formation of Au anions.     

Molecular Spintronics Based on Single‐Molecule Magnets Composed of Multiple‐Decker Phthalocyaninato Terbium(III) Complex

Unlike electronics, which is based on the freedom of the charge of an electron whose memory is volatile, spintronics is based on the freedom of the charge, spin, and orbital of an electron whose memory is non‐volatile. Although in most GMR, TMR, and CMR systems, bulk or classical magnets that are composed of transition metals are used, this Focus Review considers the growing use of single‐molecule magnets (SMMs) that are composed of multinuclear metal complexes and nanosized magnets, which exhibit slow magnetic‐relaxation processes and quantum tunneling. Molecular spintronics, which combines spintronics and molecular electronics, is an emerging field of research. Using molecules is advantageous because their electronic and magnetic properties can be manipulated under specific conditions. Herein, recent developments in [LnPc]‐based multiple‐decker SMMs on surfaces for molecular spintronic devices are presented. First, we discuss the strategies for preparing single‐molecular‐memory devices by using SMMs. Next, we focus on the switching of the Kondo signal of [LnPc]‐based multiple‐decker SMMs that are adsorbed onto surfaces, their characterization by using STM and STS, and the relationship between the molecular structure, the electronic structure, and the Kondo resonance of [TbPc₂]. Finally, the field‐effect‐transistor (FET) properties of surface‐adsorbed [LnPc₂] and [Ln₂Pc₃] cast films are reported, which is the first step towards controlling SMMs through their spins for applications in single‐molecular memory and spintronics devices.     

金属修饰Ti_2N MXene吸附分解H_2S的第一性原理计算

通过第一性原理计算研究了Ti_2NO_2 MXene对H_2S的吸附、分解行为. Ti_2NO_2对H_2S气体分子的吸附结果表明,两者之间为弱的物理吸附, Ti_2NO_2无法有效吸附H_2S气体.采用过渡金属(Sc、 V)修饰Ti_2NO_2的研究结果表明,Sc和V可以在Ti_2NO_2表面上稳定存在,不易发生团聚,其最稳定吸附位为N原子上方.进一步研究了Sc、 V修饰的Ti_2NO_2对H_2S气体分子的吸附行为,结果表明金属修饰后其吸附H_2S的能力明显提高.此外还发现, H_2S分子可以在Sc/Ti_2NO_2和V/Ti_2NO_2表面直接解离为HS*和H*,而后HS*中的H原子再与H*进一步结合形成H_2, S原子则与过渡金属成键. HS*在V/Ti_2NO_2表面解离的势垒为1.69 eV,低于在Sc/Ti_2NO_2表面的2.08 eV,表明V/Ti_2NO_2有望成为吸附、分解H_2S气体的理想候选材料.