Reactive ion scattering study of physisorbed adsorbates: experiment and theory

We have studied reactive ion scattering (RIS) of hyperthermal (1–100 eV) Cs⁺ projectiles from physisorbed surfaces. RIS experiments from physisorbed water on Pt(1 1 1) reveal scattering products of Cs(H₂O)_n⁺ (n=1–3) cluster ions. The yields for RIS products are extremely high compared to those with chemisorbed species. Classical molecular dynamics simulations provide a new mechanism that explains the enhanced RIS yields with physisorbed species. Slow Cs⁺ projectiles pick up physisorbed molecules via an ion–surface abstraction reaction, preferably without direct collisions between projectile and adsorbate. This RIS process is very efficient and mechanistically different from the RIS process responsible for chemisorbed species that occurs through direct collision-induced desorption.     

Molecular adsorbate detection using hyperthermal Cs+ surface scattering: chemisorbed water on Si(111)

Cs⁺ ion beams are scattered from an Si(111) surface chemisorbed with water. Scattering of Cs⁺ ions from the surface at the incidence energies of 10–;15 eV gives rise to reaction products CsOH⁺, CsOH⁺₂ and CsSiO⁺. We interpret that these cluster ions are formed by desorption of X (X = OH, H₂O and SiO), followed by Cs⁺X association and energy quenching near the surface. The Cs⁺ scattering method has potential advantages for adsorbate detection over desorption techniques, in particular for identification of molecular and thermally unstable species.     

Temperature variation of the Debye-Waller factors of metal and halide ions in CsCl-Br solid solutions between room temperature and 90°K by powder X-ray diffraction

Solid solutions of CsCl-Br in different molal concentrations were prepared and X-ray diffractograms taken. The integrated intensities of the Bragg peaks have been estimated and structure factors were obtained. The crystal lattice in each of these solid solution samples is made up of a random distribution of Cs⁺, Cl^? and Br^? ions depending upon the molal concentration. A pseudo-atom model has been proposed in which the Cs⁺ ions occupy (000) position and a pseudo-atom occupies (1/2 1/2 1/2) position. The presence of incoherence scattering in these solid solutions has been considered by applying the necessary correction to the atomic scattering factors. The integrated intensities have been analysed and the temperature variation of the Debye-Waller factors of the metal (Cs⁺) ion and the pseudo ion (CB^?) have been estimated.     

Hofmeister series and ionic effects of alkali metal ions on DNA conformation transition in normal and less polarised water solvent

Normal and less polarised water models are used as the solvent to investigate Hofmeister effects and alkali metal ionic effects on dodecamer d(CGCGAATTCGCG) B-DNA with atomic dynamics simulations. As normal water solvent is replaced by less polarised water, the Hofmeister series of alkali metal ions is changed from Li⁺ > Na⁺ ? K⁺ ? Cs⁺ ? Rb⁺ to Li⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ > Rb⁺ > Cs⁺. In less polarised water, DNA experiences the B→A conformational transition for the lighter alkali metal counterions (Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺). However, it keeps B form for the heavier ions (Rb⁺ and Cs⁺). We find that the underlying cause of the conformation transition for these alkali metal ions except K⁺ is the competition between water molecules and counterions coupling to the free oxygen atoms of the phosphate groups. For K⁺ ions, the ‘economics’ of phosphate hydration and ‘spine of hydration’ are both concerned with the DNA helixes changing.     

Temperature effect in a montmorillonite clay at low hydration—microscopic simulation

The effect of temperature in the range 0–150°C was studied for homo-ionic montmorillonite clays with Na⁺ and Cs⁺ compensating ions in low hydration states. Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations were employed to provide both static and dynamic information concerning the interlayer ions and water molecules, and emphasis was laid on the temperature activation of the diffusion coefficients. Principal structural changes were limited to the interlayer water phase. In the monohydrated systems, neither of the cations was seen to enter into the hexagonal cavities of the clay. Cs⁺ exhibited clear site-to-site diffusion between sites allowing coordination to six oxygen atoms of the clay sheets, this behaviour persisting to high temperatures. Preferential sites for the Na⁺ counterion were much less well-defined, even at low temperatures. The behaviour of the water phase in the monohydrated states was similar for the two ions. A rapid approach to bulk dynamics was seen in the transition from monohydrated to bihydrated Na-montmorillonite. A detailed quantitative comparison of the temperature activation of diffusion for a two-dimensional water phase and three-dimensional bulk water is presented for the first time.     

Structures and reactions of hydrated biomolecular cluster ions

Photo-induced reactions and metastable decompositions of cluster ions containing glycine, tryptophan, tryptophanylglicine and [Fe(III)-protoporphyrin]⁺ (hemin⁺) ions solvated with water molecules are studied with electrospray ionization (ESI). The ESI ion source is improved to produce hydrated biomolecular cluster ions. Metastable decompositions of the hydrated clusters following primary mass selection are measured to determine the incremental solvent binding energies for the clusters by using evaporative ensemble model. From these experimental findings, stability of the cluster ions is discussed in terms of delocalization of ionic charges. We also measure the photodissociation yields of mass-selected water clusters containing hemin⁺ ions at 355 and 532 nm. The mass spectra of photofragments show the β-cleavage of carboxymethyl groups in addition to the evaporation of solvent molecules.     

Diffusion of ions in supercritical water: Dependence on ion size and solvent density and roles of voids and necks

We have performed molecular dynamics simulations of alkali metal (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺) and halide (F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻) ions in supercritical water at 673 K. The calculations were done for water at three different densities of 1.0, 0.7 and 0.35 g cm⁻³ to investigate the effects of solute size on the diffusion of ions in supercritical water. On increase of ion size, we observe a maximum for diffusion of ions in supercritical water of higher densities (1.0 and 0.7 g cm⁻³). However, no such maximum is found for ion diffusion in the supercritical water of low density (0.35 g cm⁻³) or for diffusion of neutral solutes at all densities. These results are analyzed in terms of passage through voids and necks present in supercritical water. Correlations of the observed diffusion behavior with the sizes of ions and voids present in the systems are discussed.     

Structure and properties of molecular and ionic clusters in vapour over caesium fluoride

The properties of neutral molecules Cs₂F₂, Cs₃F₃, and Cs₄F₄, and positive and negative cluster ions Cs₂F⁺, CsF₂^?, Cs₃F₂⁺, Cs₂F₃^?, Cs₄F₃⁺, and Cs₅F₄⁺ were studied by several of quantum chemical methods implementing density function theory and Möller–Plesset perturbation theory of second and fourth orders. For all species, the equilibrium geometrical structure and vibrational spectra were determined. Different isomers have been revealed for the trimer neutral molecule Cs₃F₃; pentaatomic, both positive and negative, Cs₃F₂⁺, Cs₂F₃^?; and heptaatomic Cs₄F₃⁺ ions. The most abundant isomers in the saturated vapour were determined. Enthalpies of dissociation reactions and enthalpies of formation of the species were obtained.     

Selective cleaning of ions of heavy metals from water solutions using the H-form of todorokite synthesized by the hydrothermal method

A phase of Mg-todorokite with a size of structural tunnels of ～10 Å has been synthesized by the hydrothermal method in the form of lamellar crystalline aggregates 50–100 nm in size. Topotactic interaction with concentrated nitric acid results in the formation of the H-form of todorokite, having a high ability to adsorb Cs⁺, Pb²⁺, and Ba²⁺ ions from water solutions. H-todorokite can be used as an ion filter for cleaning ions of heavy metals from water solutions.     

Optimum ion implantation and annealing conditions for stimulating secondary negative ion emission

The type, energy, ion dose, and heating temperature required to ensure a stable minimum work function of a surface in one experimental cycle (at least 2–3 min) are determined. Secondary ion mass spectrograms are recorded using Cs⁺, Ba⁺, and Ar⁺ ions. Cu, Al, and Mo samples are studied. The optimum ion implantation conditions and the activation temperature that provide a stable minimum work function of the sample surfaces are found. The samples implanted by Ba⁺ ions withstand higher temperature and current loads than the samples implanted by Cs⁺ ions. However, the work function in the case of Cs⁺ ions decreases stronger (to 1.9 eV). It is shown that neutral sputtered particles do not leave the surface at eφ ≤ 1.85–1.90 eV.     

Temperature effects on the diffusion of water and monovalent counterions in the hydrated montmorillonite

We investigate here the effect of temperature on the diffusion of water and cations in the Wyoming-type montmorillonite clay. The considered cations are monovalent compensating ions, such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ in one-, two- and three-hydration states. For this purpose, molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to obtain the dynamic behaviour regarding the interlayer ions and water molecules under a temperature range between 260 and 400 K. The diffusion coefficient of water and cations in different hydrated clays increases with temperature. The influence of temperature on the diffusion of water is much greater than that of cations in one-, two- or three-hydrated clay. The degree of hydration plays an important role on the diffusion behaviour of water and counterions. We found that the effect of temperature is negligible in weakly hydrated clay, whereas it became significant in highly hydrated one. Besides, the size and mass of cations’ hydrate also affect the diffusion behaviour of water and cations in the interlayer space of hydrated clay.     

Statistical dynamics of direct three-body recombination of heavy ions in the presence of argon and xenon atoms

Recombination of singly charged heavy Cs⁺ and Br^– ions with stabilization with neutral Ar or Xe atoms was studied by the classic trajectory method in the range of ion collision energy and third body energy from 1 to 10 eV. The elementary reaction of recombination was studied on the potential energy surface (PES), which quantitatively reproduces the experimental results of collision-induced dissociation of CsBr molecules (the reverse of recombination). An analysis of the statistically reliable number of trajectories revealed a complex multifactor dynamics of recombination, which involves various mechanisms whose realization depends both on the mass and energy ratio of colliding particles and on the PES structure and spatial configurations of collision determined by impact parameters, orientation angles, etc. The molecules that formed as a result of recombination have nonequilibrium vibrational energy distributions and rotational energy distributions comparable to equilibrium.     

Ejection of H2O,O2, H2 and H from water ice by 0.5–6 keV H+ and Ne+ ion bombardment

The ejection of H₂O, O₂, H₂ and H from water ice at 30–140 K, bombarded by 0.5–6 keV H⁺ and Ne⁺ was studied experimentally. Neon ions in this energy range deposit their energy in the ice by nuclear collisions, whereas with protons of 0.5 to 6 keV the energy deposition mechanism shifts gradually from predominantly nuclear collisions to predominantly electronic processes. The existing theory of nuclear sputtering predicts very well the yield of ejected water molecules and the experimental results in the region of electronic processes agree well with the experimental results of Lanzerotti, Brown and Johnson. However, the major mass loss from water by ion bombardment is via the ejection of O₂, H₂ and H atoms, which exceed the ejection of water molecules. O₂ and H₂ production is markedly enhanced at temperatures exceeding ~100 K, whereas H₂O and H production are temperature independent, suggesting that O₂ and H₂ are produced in the bulk of the ice whereas H₂O and H atoms are ejected from the surface or near surface layers.     

Effectiveness of the third body in the direct recombination of ions

The dynamics of the three-body recombination of the Cs⁺ and Br^? ions with the formation of products with the lowest internal energy in the presence of the neutral atoms R = Hg, Xe, and Kr as third bodies is studied. The efficiency of the process is characterized by the effectivity function, which represents the dependence of the internal energy of the nascent molecule on the ion encounter energy and the third body energy. The Hg and Xe atoms are demonstrated to exhibit similar efficiencies in stabilizing the CsBr molecules, significantly superior to that of the Kr atom. The effectivity of each third body as an acceptor of excess energy of the molecules formed in recombination is determined by the structure of the potential energy surface of the individual R-Cs⁺-Br^? system, the masses of the third bodies, and the dynamics of three-body collisions leading to recombination.     

An Analysis of the Trigonal Center Structure of Yb3+ Ion in CsCaF3

The crystal field parameters determined from interpretation of optical spectra are used to analyze distortions of a crystal lattice in the vicinity of an impurity ion and vacancy at a Cs⁺ site compensating the excess positive charge in the trigonal centers of Yb³⁺ ions in CsCaF₃ crystal. Interactions of the impurity ion with the nearest neighbors (an octahedron of F^? ions) and the next nearest neighbors (a cube of Cs⁺ ions) are considered within the superposition model. It is established that, at formation of the trigonal center, three F^? ions of the nearest octahedron, placed symmetrically along the threefold axis on the side of the vacancy, move away from the impurity ion a little and significantly deviate from this axis. The second triangle of F^? ions, on the contrary, comes nearer to the impurity ion and nestles on the axis of the center a little. The three Cs⁺ ions, the second neighbors on the side of the vacancy, slightly come nearer to Yb³⁺ ion and considerably nestle on the center axis. The second triangle of Cs⁺ ions, from the opposite side of vacancy, also comes nearer to the paramagnetic ion and also nestles on the center axis a little. The Cs⁺ ion, lying on the center axis, comes considerably nearer to the impurity ion.     

Correlation between the energy of the ion scattered from the metal surface and its melting heat

A physical experiment and computer simulation of scattering of low-energy Cs⁺ ions from the surfaces of heavy and light metals are discussed. The presented experimental and calculated data confirm the influence of the interatomic bond of a target on the scattered ion energy. Correlation between the scattered ion energy and the melting heat of a scattering target is established.     

MCsn cluster formation on organic surfaces: A novel way to depth-profile organics?

In this work, we investigated the bombardment of polymer surfaces (PC, PMMA) with very low energy (250 eV) Cs⁺ ions.In the positive mode, we observed many cations combining a molecular fragment of the polymer (M) with two Cs atoms, similar to the well-known MCs₂⁺ clusters commonly observed in inorganic depth profiling with Cs. For example, Cs₂COOH⁺ or Cs₂C₆H₅O⁺ were measured on PC and Cs₂CH₃O⁺ or Cs₂C₄H₅O₂⁺ were measured on PMMA. In fact, most of the polymer characteristic fragments measured in negative spectra also appear in the positive spectra, combined with two Cs atoms. It is remarkable that stable negative ions tend to combine not with one Cs, but with two Cs atoms to create the MCs₂⁺ cluster.This effect is, to some extent, similar to the well-known cationisation of polymers (with Ag or Au) although here few clusters with only one Cs atom are detected (MCs⁺ clusters), like in classical cationisation. The most abundant clusters are the MCs₂⁺ clusters, but heavier clusters (MCs₃⁺, MCs₄⁺ and above) are also measured with high yields in the spectrum.Surprisingly, some of those MCs₂⁺ clusters were still detected even after a very long sputtering fluence (above 10¹⁷ ions/cm²), proving that some molecular depth profiling is also possible in this “Cs₂-cationisation” mode. In other words, this work could open the way to an extension of the MCs_n⁺ cluster analysis, commonly used in inorganic depth profiling, to the in-depth molecular analysis of organic layers.     

Interaction between guest AgI and host zeolite FAU studied by optical spectra and EXAFS

AgI molecules were dilutely adsorbed into nano-cages of Na⁺, K⁺ and Cs⁺ type FAU zeolites in order to understand the interaction between host zeolite and guest AgI. This interaction was investigated using optical absorption spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). The optical spectra strongly depend on the type of the alkali cations. Compared with the lowest absorption band of AgI molecules in gas phase, the spectra of AgI molecules adsorbed in the zeolite cages shifts to higher energy in the order of Cs⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺. On the contrary, Ag-I bond lengths of adsorbed AgI molecules obtained from EXAFS were independent of the type of the alkali-cations. The bond length was very close to gas phase AgI molecules. Therefore, the interaction between AgI molecules and the zeolite, whose magnitude is Na⁺ > K⁺ > Cs⁺, is important in the photo-excited electronic state.     

Multiphoton fragmentation and ionization of CF2HCl molecules and clusters by UV radiation

The results of experimental studies of multiphoton ionization of CF₂HCl molecules and clusters by UV laser radiation in the wavelength range 217–236 nm are reported. In the case of molecules, the main reaction products are CF₂H⁺ and CF⁺ ions as well as atomic chlorine. It is found that the spectra of the products of ionization of free molecules and molecules condensed into clusters differ qualitatively: multiphoton ionization of clusters does not yield CF₂H⁺ ions. The dependences of the ion yield on the intensity of laser radiation and its wavelength are measured. The effect of a constant electric field and the radiation spectral width on the multiphoton ionization process is demonstrated. The shape of the velocity distributions is determined for a number of products. A strong anisotropy is detected in the reaction of formation of CF₂H⁺ ions. Possible mechanisms for these processes are discussed.     

Theory of ion scattering from single crystals

The scattering of He⁺, Ne⁺ and Ar⁺ ions at 600 eV from Ni(110) in the [11̄0] direction is modeled using classical dynamics. The distributions of final scattering angles of the primary ions are displayed as contour plots over the surface impact zone. From the contour plots the regions of the surface that give rise to scattering at specific angles can be isolated. The majority of the inplane scattering arises from collisions of the primary ion with second layer or “valley” atoms. However, to correctly reproduce the experimental energy distribution curves of Heiland and Taglauer (J. Vacuum Sci. Technol. 9 (1971) 620), we must include a simple collision time correction to account for neutralization of the ion beam. This analysis predicts that the ions which collide with second layer atoms of the solid are preferentially neutralized. The energy distributions due to first layer collisions agree well with experiment. We find that a full molecular three dimensional model is needed to describe all of the ion scattering events since for most of the collisions, the ion is simultaneously interacting with at least two atoms of the solid. However, in agreement with other workers we find only a single collision is responsible for the “binary” peak in the energy distribution. In addition the relative scattering intensity at different angles is dependent on having a three-dimensional solid.