Spectroscopy of free sodium-ammonia clusters

Neutral sodium ammonia clusters are formed in apickup source by injecting a beam of sodium atoms into the expansion zone of a pulsed nozzle beam of neat ammonia gas. The clusters are studied by one-photon ionisation in the range of 266 nm to 500 nm with pulsed lasers and Time-of-Flight mass spectroscopy. Na(NH₃) _n cluster ion signals up ton=35 are observed. The ionisation potentials of complexes up ton=9 are reported.     

Photoionisation studies of homogeneous argon and krypton clusters using TPEPICO

The photoionisation threshold region of homogeneous Argon and Krypton clusters Ar _n and Kr _n forn up to 24 formed in a free jet expansion has been studied in detail, using the threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence (TPEPICO) time of flight technique. Measurements performed at a variety of different expansion conditions (nozzle temperature and stagnation pressure) demonstrate that fragmentation of larger clusters contributes substantially to the shape of the TPEPICO spectra even for the smallest clusters and at all photon energies higher than about 200 meV to 400 meV above the ionisation threshold. The determination of ionisation potentials for these cluster ions is discussed and careful estimates are given and compared with recent theoretical values.     

Exciton absorption and intramolecular Penning ionisation in small molecular clusters I: (N2O)n and C6H5CN·(N2O)n

Photoionisation efficiency (PIE)-spectra are measured for small (N₂O)_n-clusters,n=2...8, using synchrotron radiation from the electron storage ring BESSY at Berlin. Ionisation thresholds are reported. Resonances in the wavelength-range 97...100 nm forn>2 are attributed to exciton absorption with N₂O-Rydberg levels, series I and II parentage. This interpretation is supported by measurements of the PIE of mixed benzonitrile · (N₂O)_n clusters where benzonitrile serves as a monitor for photon absorption in N₂O at energies above the ionisation limit of benzonitrile.     

Fragmentation dynamics of ammonia cluster ions after single photon ionisation

A reflecting time of flight mass spectrometer (RETOF) is used to study unimolecular and collision induced fragmentation of ammonia cluster ions. Synchrotron radiation from the BESSY electron storage ring is used in a range of photon energies from 9.08 up to 17.7 eV for single photon ionisation of neutral clusters in a supersonic beam. The threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence technique (TPEPICO) is used to define the energy initially deposited into the cluster ions. Metastable unimolecular decay (µs range) is studied using the RETOF's capacity for energy analysis. Under collision free conditions the by far most prominent metastable process is the evaporation of one neutral NH₃ monomer from protonated clusters (NH₃) _{n ? 2}NH ₄ ⁺ . Abundance of homogeneous vs. protonated cluster ions and of metastable fragments are reported as a function of photon energy and cluster size up ton=10.     

Electron attachment to HCl clusters

Negatively charged cluster ions of hydrogen chloride are formed by electron attachment to HCl clusters, which are produced in a seeded supersonic beam traversing a sustained gas discharge. Cluster ions of (HCl) _n ^? , withn=2, and tentatively withn=3 and 4 are observed. Cluster ions like Cl _n ^? , Cl _n ^? (HCl) _m , and withAr attached to them are also seen. The relevance to radiation chemistry of HCl if briefly discussed. Atoms evaporating from the hot, thoriated tungsten filament of the glow discharge lead to clusters such as Th _n ^? and its oxides.     

Enrichment and segregation in alkali heteroclusters

A spherical average pseudopotential method (SAPS) is used to investigate some properties of compound alkali clusters. The effect that the substitution of a Sodium atom by a Lithium atom in a Na _n cluster has on the stabilities and geometries is studied forn≤21. We have found that substitution is always energetically possible. On the other hand equiatomic Na _n Cs _n clusters are considered in the size rangen≤16. We find a strong segregation effect of the Cesium atoms towards the cluster surface. This agrees with what happens in liquid Na _x Cs_1?x alloys.     

Photoabsorption of sulfur dioxide cluster anions

Photodissociation and photodetachment of negatively charged sulfur dioxide clusters (SO₂) _n ^? ,n=2–11, were investigated in the wavelength range from 458 to 660 nm. Electrons obtained from the interaction of photons with clusters were found to be produced in two photon processes forn≥3. Hence their detachment threshold energy is increased by at least 0.7 eV with respect to the dimer. Wavelength dependent depletion spectra indicate that the clusters are composed of a dimer anion chromophore solvated by neutral molecules. The spectral position of the absorption band is maintained and the shape evolves continuously with cluster size. However, a narrowing of the band with increasing cluster size is observed.     

Photoionization studies of free sodium ammonia clusters

Free sodium ammonia clusters Na(NH₃) _n up ton=45 were generated in a pickup source by injecting a beam of neutral sodium atoms into the expansion zone of a piezo driven pulsed nozzle. The clusters thus formed are studied by one-photon ionisation in the region of 266 nm to 520 nm, time-of-flight mass spectrometry as well as photoelectron spectrometry. Ionisation thresholds for clusters up ton=18 and dissociation energies for the neutral Na(NH₃) _n up ton=6 are reported.     

Production and stability of oxygen cluster cations and anions,revisited

Stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric, positive and negative oxygen cluster ions (n up to 70) have been produced in a crossed neutral beam/electron beam ion source. The abundance and stability of the ions formed have been analyzed with a double focussing sector field mass spectrometer in a series of experiments. Positive and negative ion mass spectra observed exhibit distinct abundance anomalies, however, at different cluster sizes. Abundance maxima and minima correlate with correspondingly small and large metastable fractions of (O₂) _n ⁺ and (O₂) _n ^? ions, respectively. (O₂) _n ⁺ ions may also lose up top=(n?1) monomers by collision induced dissociation with monotonously decreasing probability with increasingp. Metastable fractions determined for (O₂) _n ^? ions produced with appr. zero eV electrons are in general larger than those for ions produced with appr. 7 eV electrons. (O₂) _n ^? ions are also observed to decay via autodetachment, with lifetimes increasing with increasing cluster size. Finally, here we were able to prove that an apparent loss of the monomer fragment O (and higher homologues) observed in the metastable time regime is due to ordinary metastable monomer evaporation in the acceleration region. Moreover, we will also present here some new data and interpretation concerning the electron attachment cross section function for O₂ clusters.     

Photodissociation of sulfur dioxide cluster anions

Photodissociation of negatively charged sulfur dioxide clusters (SO₂) _n ^? , 2≦n≦11, was investigated in the wavelength range between 458 nm and 600 nm using a tandem mass spectrometer. The spectral position of the absorption band remains unchanged, however it exhibits narrowing with increasing cluster size. The smooth evolution of the spectra shows that the clusters are composed of a dimer anion core surrounded by neutral molecules. The analysis of the fragmentation products reveals that the absorption of a photon is followed by statistical evaporation of neutrals with a mean energy loss of 0.28±0.05 eV per evaporated monomer in the large cluster limit.     

Synthesis,structures, sorption and magnetic properties of coordination polymers based on 3d metal pivalates and polydentate pyridine-type ligands

The reactions of 3d metal pivalates with pyridine-containing ligands of different structures afforded the 1D coordination polymers [Co₂(Piv)₄(dpe)₂] _n , [Ni(Piv)₂(dpe)(EtOH)₂] _n , [Cu₂(Piv)₄(dpe)] _n , [Cu(Piv)₂(dpe)] _n , [Ni(Piv)₂(4-ptz)(EtOH)₂] _n , and [Cu₂(Piv)₄(4-ptz)· ·mSolv] _n (Solv is EtOH, m = 2; Solv is C₆H₆, m = 1; Piv^? is pivalate, dpe is trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene, 4-ptz is 2,4,6-tris(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine), as well as the 3D coordination polymer [{Cu₂(Piv)₄}₃(3-ptz)₂] _n (3-ptz is 2,4,6-tris(3-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine). The sorption and magnetic properties of a series of the synthesized compounds and magnetic properties of the earlier characterized coordination polymer [Mn₂(O₂CC₆H₅)₄(dpe)₂·dpe] _n were studied. It was shown that the desolvation of the complexes [Ni(Piv)₂(4-ptz)(EtOH)₂] _n and [Cu₂(Piv)₄-(4-ptz)·2EtOH] _n resulted in the formation of the crystal structures, in which the pores are accessible to nitrogen and hydrogen at 78 K (S _BET are up to 92 m² g^?1). The temperature dependences of the molar magnetic susceptibility for [Co₂(Piv)₄(dpe)₂] _n , [Mn₂(O₂CC₆H₅)₄-(dpe)₂·dpe] _n , [Ni(Piv)₂(dpe)(EtOH)₂] _n , [Ni(Piv)₂(4-ptz)(EtOH)₂] _n , and [Cu₂(Piv)₄-(4-ptz)·2EtOH] _n are described in terms of models taking into account the zero-field splitting and exchange interactions or isotropic exchange Hamiltonians.     

Electron attachment to clusters composed of closed shell,hydrogen containing molecules

Electron attachment to clusters of HCl, H₂O, D₂O, C₂H₄(OH)₂, NH₃, and ND₃ is compared. The clusters are produced in a seeded supersonic beam traversing a sustained gas discharge. For the first four moleculesN _min=2 is the lowest number of molecules necessary to support a bound negative ion state. A much largerN _min and an isotope effect is observed for ammonia,N _min(NH₃)=35, andN _min(ND₃)=41.     

Computational Studies on the Mo-Doped Gold Nanoclusters Au<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>Mo(<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 1–10): Structures,Stabilities and Magnetic Properties

The geometric structures, relative stabilities, magnetic properties of Mo-doped gold clusters Au _n Mo(n = 1–10) have been investigated at the PBE1PBE/def2TZVP level of theory. The results show that molybdenum doping has a significant effect on the geometric structures and electronic properties of Au _n Mo(n = 1–10) clusters. For the lowest energy structures of Au _n Mo(n = 1–10), the two dimensional to three dimensional transition occurs at cluster size n ≥ 8, and their relative stabilities exhibit odd–even oscillation with the change of Au atom number. It is found that charge in corresponding Au _n Mo clusters transfers from Mo atom to Au _n host in the size range n = 1–7, whereas the charge in opposition direction in the size range n = 8–10. In addition, the magnetic properties of Au _n Mo clusters are enhanced after doping single Mo atom into the corresponding gold clusters. Our results are valuable for the design of magnetic material.     

Microscopic solvation: spectroscopic results vs. Monte Carlo simulations

Van-der-Waals clusters of carbazole (representing the ‘solute’) with up to 40 nitrogen or methane solvent molecules were characterized using two-color resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy. Features in these spectra (redshift, homogeneous and heterogeneous broadening, etc.) are interpreted as being caused by various static and dynamic effects of the solvent shell surrounding the aromatic substrate. For a better understanding of such effects, Monte Carlo simulations of the clusters were performed: Statics: Using a Monte Carlo simulated annealing minimization procedure, minimum energy structures (local, probably global) were found for the various cluster species. Using a simple empirical additivity rule, spectral shifts are rationalized from these structures.Dynamics: Starting from these minimum configurations, canonical ensemble simulations were carried out in a temperature range from 0 to 35 K. Severalorder-disorder transitions were identified including:

1. orientational isomerization or ‘melting’
2. surface isomerization or decoupling
3. rigid → fluxional transitions
4. full cluster ‘melting’

We present some of our experimental results on the systems carbazole · (N₂) _n and carbazole · (CH₄) _n together with the corresponding simulation data.     

Structural and dynamical properties of magnesium microclusters

We present systematic Density Functional Theory-Local Density Approximation computations for neutral Magnesium clusters Mg _n withn≤13. For the smaller sizes the ground state structure is optimized starting from selected symmetries and allowing for relaxation, Jahn-Teller distorsion and spin polarization. For the larger sizes we perform a simulated annealing based on the ab-initio Molecular Dynamics. By the same method, we study the thermal and dynamical properties of Mg₁₀ and Mg₁₆. The general picture emerging from these computations shows that already atn ≈10 these clusters have acquired many characteristic features of metallic Magnesium.     

A Systematic Search for Structures and Stabilities of Asymmetric Clusters (HfInN<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 1-6)

In order to find single source precursors (SSP), the structures, relative stabilities, and IR spectra of small asymmetric clusters (HFInN₃) _n (n = 1–6) are systematically investigated by means of the density functional theory at the B3LYP level. The obtained geometries show that the frameworks of clusters (HFInN₃) _n (n = 2–6) prefer to be 2n-membered ring with alternating indium and α-nitrogen atoms. The averaged binding energies reveal that all of asymmetric clusters (HFInN₃) _n (n = 1–6) can continue to gain energy as the cluster size n increasing. The second-order difference of energy (Δ₂E) and the HOMO-LUMO energy gap (E_gap) as a function of the cluster size n both exhibit a pronounced even-odd alternation phenomenon. The influences of cluster size n and temperature T on the thermodynamic properties of clusters are discussed. Judged by enthalpies and Gibbs free energies, the formations of the most stable clusters (HFInN₃) _n (n = 2–6) from the monomer are thermodynamically favorable in the range of 200–800 K.     

Compared electronic structures of negative ionsM p C n − : II. Transition metals in Hückel theory

SIMS experiments on transition metal carbides produce negative cluster ionsM _p C _n ^? (n < 10) where the transition metalM is Ti, Zr, V, Cr, W, Fe and Ni withp=1 and V withp=2. TheM _p C _n ^? ions show very pronounced alternations in their emission intensities I(M _p C _n ^? ) versusn with strong maxima for evenn whateverM. Since such phenomena are due to the stability properties of the clusters themselves (correspondence rule), it means that the negative ions are the most stable ones for evenn. It is thus possible to get the general outlines of their electronic structures from the Pitzer and Clementi model (sp hybridization in Hückel approximation): the clusters are assumed to be linear chains of “cumulene”-type :=C=..C=C=M and the alternations in the relative stabilities of these chains are due to the fact that the HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) of the clusters lies in a double degenerate π level band. Now HOMO may be either full (or almost full) or half-filled (or nearly half-filled), and an aggregate with a complete (or almost complete) HOMO is more stable than an aggregate with a half-filled HOMO. Consequently, the number of π electrons is governing the parity effect in the stability alternations. However, this number is depending on the number of σ electrons of the chain and on the existence of onedδ level (due to theM atom) which is either empty for deficientd electron elements (Ti, Zr, V, Cr, W) or filled for richd electron elements (half-filled for Fe or full up for Ni). As theMC _n ^? chain must have a full (or nearly full) HOMO ifn is even, it is then possible to infer a likely electronic configurations of these clusters, and hence to determine their relative stabilities, and to verify that “even” clusters are more stable than “odd” ones. Thus such Hückel model results can be used as a guide for more sophisticated calculations (ab initio, etc...).     

Discrimination ofn=2→2 UV transitions of he-like ions in a recoil light source

Neon and argon recoil ions were produced by collisions with 5.9 MeV/amu uranium projectiles andΔn=0 ultraviolet transitions from the metastable 1s2p ³ P _0,2 levels of the target ions were measured in delay to the pulsed projectile beam.     

A cathode for solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells: Designing the optimal structure of the active layer

The complete computer simulation of the cathodic active layer with solid polymer electrolyte (Nafion) is carried out. The active layer structure can be described by 8 parameters. In designing the optimal structure, it is shown that to provide the high overall characteristics of the cathode and save the catalyst, 0.5 of the active layer volume should be set aside for the support grains (agglomerates of carbon particles covered with platinum and containing Nafion incorporations and microvoids). Protons and oxygen molecules must be supplied to the active layer by means of peculiar combined percolation clusters. The latter consist of a combination of support grains with either Nafion grains (to produce “protonic” clusters) or grains-voids (to afford “gas” clusters). The volume fractions of Nafion grains and grain-voids are assumed to be 0.25 and 0.25. The computer simulation of the support grain structure is also carried out. Their composition, i.e., the volume fractions of the carbon component (g _e), Nafion (g _ii), and microvoids (g _gg), is varied. The support grains play the key role in the active layer functioning. It is impossible to organize three full-value percolation clusters (electronic, protonic, and gas); hence, one has to have one or two combined clusters in the active layer. Thus the double load fells on the support grains. Their optimal structure should not only sustain the transport of protons and electrons in the active layer but also create the best conditions for the electrochemical process in each grain. The maximum current I _max (realized upon reaching the optimal active layer thicknesses Δ*) is calculated. The dependences of I _max and Δ* on the main parameters characterizing the support grains (g _e and g _ii) are analyzed. Here, two goals are sought: (1) to obtain the high currents, (2) to provide the low consumption of platinum per power unit. To solve the first problem, one has to work with high values of g _e. The second problem requires the opposite: the values of g _e must be minimal possible.     

Laser photoionization and spectroscopy of gas phase silver clusters

Silver clusters containing up to 40–50 atoms are produced by laser vaporization in a pulsed-nozzle molecular beam source and studied with laser photoionization mass spectroscopy. A variety of Nd:YAG pumped dye laser and UV excimer laser wavelengths are used to achieve ionization. Ionization dynamics are studied by varying the laser wavelength and fluence. Bracketing experiments under single-photon ionization conditions are used to estimate ionization potentials as a function of cluster size. An even-odd ionization potential alternation is observed with odd-numbered clusters (N=3, 5, 7 ...) having lower ionization potentials than adjacent even-numbered species. Shell closings at clusters containing 2, 8 20 and 40 electrons are observed consistent with a one-electron shell model picture of cluster electronic structure. Resonance-enhanced ionization produces a vibrationally resolved spectrum for the trimer, Ag₃, yielding an electronic state assignment and excited state vibrational frequencies. Fragmentation in dimer ionization via theE state at 249 nm establishes the dissociation energy of Ag ₂ ⁺ to be <2.1 eV.