Calculated properties of neutral and charged Al<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>Co<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis></Subscript> clusters by density functional theory

Density functional calculations are performed to study the structures and electronic properties of Al _n Co _m clusters with n = 1–7 and m = 1–2. Frequency analysis is also performed after structural optimization to make sure that the calculated ground states are real minima. The corresponding total and binding energies, adiabatic electron affinities and ionization potentials are presented and discussed to aid the identification of our calculations. The BSSE correction is also considered in our calculation. Among Al _n Co _m , Al _n Co _m ⁻, and Al _n Co _m ⁼ clusters (n = 1–7 and m = 1–2), Al₄Co⁻, Al₆Co⁻, Al₂Co₂, and Al₆Co₂ are predicted to be more stable. Our results are consistent with the available experimental data.     

Electronic properties of aluminum clusters compared with the jellium model

The experimental polarizabilities, ionization potentials and electron affinities of aluminum clusters are compared with jellium predictions. It is found that the clusters have radii and work functions which are close to the jellium model predictions for clusters with more than 13 atoms. The polarizabilities of Al _n correspond with the jellium only forn>40 and the shell structure features in the ionization potentials are anomalous up to 37. We conclude that nonjellium effects are important up ton=40.     

Analysis of optical absorption spectra of transition metal cluster ions by the spin-polarized DV-Xα method

Optical absorption spectra of cobalt cluster ions, Co _n ⁺ , and vanadium cluster ions, V _n ⁺ , were analyzed by a theoretical calculation based on the spin-polarized DV-Xα method, and their electronic and geometric structures were obtained. Relative absorption cross section associated with each electronic transition was calculated; the calculation enables a qualitative comparison of calculated spectrum with a measured one not only in its transition energy but also in its intensity profile. This analysis shows that Co ₄ ⁺ , Co ₃ ⁺ , and V ₄ ⁺ have, respectively, a tetrahedral structure with a bond distance of 2.00Å, an equilateral triangle with a bond distance of 2.30Å, and a distorted tetrahedral structure with five bonds having a distance of 2.34 Å and one of 2.89Å. The differences in the population between majority and minority spins (spin-difference) evaluated from the electronic structure thus obtained were 2.0, 1.7, and zero per atom in Co ₃ ⁺ , Co ₄ ⁺ , and V ₄ ⁺ , respectively. These spin differences indicate a ferromagnetic and an antiferromagnetic spin-coupling in the cobalt and vanadium cluster ions, respectively.     

Core-Shell-Type All-Inorganic Heterometallic Nanoclusters: Record High-Nuclearity Cobalt Polyoxoniobates for Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction

Only rarely have polyoxometalates been found to form core–shell nanoclusters. Here, we succeeded in isolating a series of rare giant and all-inorganic core–shell cobalt polyoxoniobates (Co−PONbs) with diverse shapes, nuclearities and original topologies, including 50-nuclearity {Co₁₂Nb₃₈O₁₃₂}, 54-nuclearity {Co₂₀Nb₃₄O₁₂₈}, 62-nuclearity {Co₂₆Nb₃₆O₁₄₀} and 87-nuclearity {Co₃₃Nb₅₄O₁₈₈}. They are the largest Co−PONbs and also the polyoxometalates containing the greatest number of Co ions and the largest cobalt clusters known thus far. These molecular Co−PONbs have intriguing and atomically precise core–shell architectures comprising unique cobalt oxide cores and niobate oxide shells. In particular, the encapsulated cobalt oxide cores with different nuclearities have identical compositions, structures and mixed-valence Co³⁺/Co²⁺ states as the different sized Co−O moieties of the bulk cubic-spinel Co₃O₄, suggesting that they can serve as various molecular models of the cubic-spinel Co₃O₄. The successful construction of the series of the Co−PONbs reveals a feasible and versatile synthetic method for making rare core–shell heterometallic PONbs. Further, these new-type core–shell bimetal species are promising cluster molecular catalysts for visible-light-driven CO₂ reduction.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy of jet-cooled aluminium cluster anions

Aluminium cluster anions (Al _n ^? ) are produced by laser vaporization without additional ionization and cooled by supersonic expansion. Photoelectrons from mass-identified anion bunches (n=2...25) are detached by laser light (hv=3.68 eV) and undergo energy analysis in a magnetic bottle-type time-of-flight spectrometer. The measurements provide information about the electronic excitation energies from ionic ground states to neutral states of the clusters. In contrast to bulk aluminium these cluster photoelectron spectra partially have well-resolved bands which originate from low-lying excited bands. For small clusters, especially the aluminium dimer and trimer, quantum-chemical calculations will be compared to the measurements. The electron affinity size dependence of larger clusters shows conclusive evidence for “shell” effects.     

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.     

Reactivity of positively charged cobalt cluster ions with CH4, N2, H2, C2H4, and C2H2

Reactivity of positively charged cobalt cluster ions (Co _n ⁺ ,n=2?22), produce by laser vaporization, with various gas samples (CH₄, N₂, H₂, C₂H₄, and C₂H₂) were systematically investigated by using a fast-flow reactor. The reactivity of Co _n ⁺ with the various gas samples is qualitatively consistent with the adsorption rate of the gas to cobalt metal surfaces. Co _n ⁺ highly reacts with C₂H₂ as characterized by the adsorption rate to metal surfaces, and it indicates no size dependence. In contrast, the reactions of Co _n ⁺ with the other gas samples indicate a similar cluster size dependence; atn=4, 5, and 10?15, Co _n ⁺ highly reacts. The difference can be explained by the amount of the activation energy for chemisorption reaction. Compared with neutral cobalt clusters, the size dependence is almost similar except for Co ₄ ⁺ and Co ₅ ⁺ . The reactivity enhancement of Co ₄ ⁺ and Co ₅ ⁺ indicates that the cobalt cluster ions are presumed to have an active site for chemisorption atn=4 and 5, induced by the influence of positive charge.     

基于密度泛函理论分析团簇ConMoS(n=1~5)电子性质、光学性质及磁性

为了从理论层面深入探究团簇Co_nMoS （n=1~5）的电子性质、光学性质及磁性,弄清其内在关联,依据拓扑学原理和密度泛函理论,在B3LYP/def2-TZVP量子化学水平和多个自旋多重度下对该团簇进行结构优化并分析。结果表明：团簇Co_nMoS共有21种稳定构型;通过对NPA （自然布居分析,natural population analysis）电荷、静电势、亲电指数、电离势、光学电负性和折射率等分析得出,金属原子有高概率失去电子,非金属原子相对更容易得到电子,团簇Co₅MoS中的构型5a在最稳定构型中有高的得失电子能力、反应活性和折射率,Co和Mo原子易发生亲核反应,S原子易发生亲电反应;对该团簇自旋布居数、原子磁矩、轨道磁矩和态密度分析发现,该团簇磁性主要由Co原子的d轨道提供,且团簇Co₃MoS表现出了比其它尺寸团簇更为稳定和优异的磁性。最终得出团簇Co₃MoS在磁性方面有较好的表现且构型5a在活性和光学领域有一定的潜力。     

Reactions of cobalt clusters with deuterium

The kinetics of chemical reactions of cobalt clusters Co_n with deuterium are described. Absolute rate constants have been measured in the size range n=7–68 at 293 K. The rate constants are found to be a strong function of cluster size, varying by a factor of 400. This size dependence is most prominent for n=7 to 25: Co₁₅ is the most reactive cluster, and Co_7–9 and Co_19–20 are particularly unreactive. Abrupt changes in the rate constants from one cluster size to the next are observed. For the clusters above n=25, the rate constants show several less prominent maxima and minima superimposed on a slow, nearly monotonic increase with cluster size.     

基于密度泛函理论分析团簇ConMoS(n=1~5)电子性质、光学性质及磁性

为了从理论层面深入探究团簇 Co_nMoS(n=1~5)的电子性质、光学性质及磁性,弄清其内在关联,依据拓扑学原理和密度泛函理论,在B3LYP/def2-TZVP量子化学水平和多个自旋多重度下对该团簇进行结构优化并分析。结果表明：团簇ConMoS共有21种稳定构型;通过对NPA(自然布居分析,natural population analysis)电荷、静电势、亲电指数、电离势、光学电负性和折射率等分析得出,金属原子有高概率失去电子,非金属原子相对更容易得到电子,团簇Co₅MoS中的构型5a在最稳定构型中有高的得失电子能力、反应活性和折射率,Co和Mo原子易发生亲核反应,S原子易发生亲电反应;对该团簇自旋布居数、原子磁矩、轨道磁矩和态密度分析发现,该团簇磁性主要由Co原子的d轨道提供,且团簇Co₃MoS表现出了比其它尺寸团簇更为稳定和优异的磁性。最终得出团簇Co₃MoS在磁性方面有较好的表现且构型5a在活性和光学领域有一定的潜力。     

Photoionization studies of transition metal clusters: Ionization potentials of ScnO (n=5−36)

The photoionization efficiency (PIE) spectra and ionization potentials are reported for scandium cluster monoxides (Sc _n O,n=5–36). As found for other transition metal clusters, strong dependence of ionization potential on cluster size is found for small clusters, with the ionization potentials of larger clusters decreasing relatively smoothly with increasing size. The IPs are 0.6–0.8 eV lower than that predicted by conducting spherical droplet model.Performed at Argonne National Laboratory     

Interaction of Co<Subscript>6</Subscript> cluster with γ-alumina surface: A quantum chemical study

The interaction of Co₆ cluster with partially dehydroxylated γ-alumina surface was studied by the DFT method. Hydrogen atoms of surface hydroxyl groups can be transferred to the metal particle to form partially oxidized cobalt states. The energy characteristics of hydrogen transfer were determined and changes in the electronic structure of supported Co₆ particles were characterized. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2194–2199, October, 2005.     

Computational Cogitation of Cn@Al12 Clusters

A variety of novel C_nAl₁₂ core–shell nanoclusters have been investigated using density functional calculations. A series of C_n cores (n=1–4) have been encapsulated by icosahedral Al₁₂, with characteristic physical properties (energetics and stabilities, ionisation energies, electron affinities) calculated for each cluster. Other isomers, with the C_n moiety bound externally to the Al₁₂ shell, have also been studied. For both series, a peak in stability was found for n(C)=2, a characteristic that appears to be inextricably linked with the relaxation of the constituent parts upon dissociation. Analysis of trends for ionisation energies and electron affinities includes evaluation of contributions from the carbon and aluminium components, which highlights the effects of composition and morphology on cluster properties.     

Geometries,stabilities, electronic and magnetic properties of small aluminum cluster anions doped with cobalt: A density functional theory study

The geometrical structures, relative electronic and magnetic properties of small Al_nCo^– (1 ≤ n ≤ 9) clusters are systematically investigated within the framework of density functional theory at the BPW91 level. The single Co doping can dramatically affect the ground state geometries of the 1 Al_n+1^- clusters. At the same time, the resulting geometries show that the lowest energy Al_nCo^– clusters prefer to be three dimensional structures. Here, the relative stabilities are investigated in terms of the calculated average binding energies, fragmentation energies, and second-order energy differences. Moreover, the result of the highest occupiedlowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy gaps indicates that Al₆Co^– clusters have the highest chemical stability for Al_nCo^– (1 ≤ n ≤ 9) clusters. Furthermore, the natural population analysis reveals that the charges in Al_nCo^– clusters transfer from the Al frames to the Co atom. Additionally, the analyses of the local and total magnetic moments of the Al_nCo^– clusters show that the magnetic effect mainly comes from the Co atom.     

二硫桥键钴卟啉二聚体的合成与电催化氧还原性能

成功合成了二硫桥键相连的钴卟啉二聚体2Co。通过循环伏安电化学方法测试,在无水二氯甲烷溶剂中,钴卟啉二聚体展示了3个氧化和2个还原峰,表明此钴卟啉二聚体可以稳定多重负/正电荷。详细研究了在酸性条件下的钴卟啉二聚体的电催化氧还原性能。钴卟啉二聚体的电催化氧还原显示了高稳定性和高活性,测得转移电子数为3.5~3.6之间。钴卟啉二聚体的电催化氧还原性能说明通过二硫键对钴卟啉单体二聚化可以提高钴卟啉的电催化氧还原性能。     

Semiempirical study of electronic and bonding properties of cobalt silicide clusters

The electronic structure of cobalt silicide clusters Co₇Si₇ and Si₇Co₇ was studied in comparison to that of Co₁₉ and Si₁₇ clusters under the scope of the MINDO/SR method. Clusters Co₇Si₇ and Si₇Co₇ represent the environment of a cobalt atom and that of a silicon atom in the cobalt monosilicide bulk, respectively. It is found that the Co? Si bond is essentially sp in character with an indirect participation (by electrostatic interaction) of the cobalt d orbitals. Our calculations show a charge transfer from silicon to the d orbitals of cobalt via sp–sp interaction with an internal sp–d hybridization. The theoretical density of states for cobalt silicide clusters are reported and compared with experimental results of surface spectroscopies. © 1992 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Electronic structure and magic number of alkaline metal clusters

The results of LCAO-Xα calculations for Li_n-clusters (n=2 ... 13) are presented. The origin of magic numbers in cluster beams of alkaline metals is investigated and connected with an electronic shell structure as also obtained in spherical jellium calculations.     

Tetrahedral Carbonylcobalt Clusters

A variety of general methods is available for the synthesis of tetrahedral heteronuclear cobalt clusters of type (CO)₉Co₃E(L)_n (E=hetero element). The size of E has a limiting effect on the existence of such complexes. No compounds (CO)₉Co₃E(L)_n have so far been prepared in which the covalent radius of E exceeds 1.30 Å;. Elements such as In, Sn, Pb, Sb, or Bi do not fit into the tetrahedral Co₃E cluster unit and form open complexes E[Co(CO)₄]_n (n=3, 4). Structural variations among the heteronuclear clusters are encountered in the presence or absence of carbonyl bridges between the cobalt atoms: hetero atoms E bearing several ligands L favor bridging, whereas those bearing only one ligand or none at all permit terminal bonding of all the CO groups.     

Electronic structure and bonding in clusters: Theoretical studies

The electronic structures of small Al _n ,n=5, 9, 13, clusters with bulk geometry are studied using the ab initio Hartree-Fock-LCAO method. The cluster ground states have always multiplicity higher than the lowest possible value. However, the energy difference between ground and lowest low spin state decreases with increasing cluster size. The energy range of the Al _n cluster valence levels is comparable with the width of the occupied part of the 3sp band in bulk Al. The different binding mechanisms that arise when a CO molecule interacts with Al _n clusters in different coordination sites are analyzed in detail with the constrained space orbital variation (CSOV) method. Electrostatic and polarization contributions to the interaction are found to be important. Among charge transfer (donation) contributions π electron transfer from Al _n to CO corresponding to π backbonding is energetically more important than σ electron transfer from CO to Al _n characterizing the σ bond.     

Characteristics of Active Site Formation in Co-Containing Catalysts for CO Oxidation on Chemically Different Supports

We have studied the catalytic activity in CO oxidation for cobalt-containing (1.2 mass % Co) catalysts on different supports: ZSM-5, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, and ERI. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), diffuse reflection electronic spectroscopy, and thermal programmed reduction we have established that the differences in the activity of Co-containing catalysts are due to different localization of the cobalt cations, the nature of their distribution in the surface layer of the catalyst, and the presence of cobalt ions Co_Oh in an environment of intralattice oxygen which have high reducibility.