Binary metal alloy clusters

Binary alloy clustersA _n B _m (A,B: Bi, Sb, Pb, Ag, in different compositions) have been generated by simultaneous inert gas condensation of the two vapours. Under suitable condensation conditions the adsorption of single atomsA to clustersB _m can be studied. The adsorption probabilities are found to vary with cluster size. The cluster reactivities depend on the number of absorbed foreign atoms. Lead and bismuth clusters are found to be highly reactive in cracking the strongly bound Sb₄-tetrahedron. One single interaction channel is found for Pb _n /Sb₄ (symmetrical dissociation) and three interaction channels are found for Bi _n /Sb₄ (symmetrical and nonsymmetrical dissociation). Pb- and Bi-clusters have different onset thresholds for dissociative reactivity.     

Binary self-similar chemical structures

The recursive series \(f_{n+1} =l\cdot f_n +m\cdot f_{n-1} \) (l, m = 1,2,3...) defines the generators of a chain of components L and S, \(\left\{ {\begin{array}{l} L\rightarrow \underbrace{LL{\ldots }L}_l\underbrace{SS{\ldots }S}_m \\ S\rightarrow L \\ \end{array}} \right\} \), such that L and S have a geometric dimension equal to \(d = 0, 1, 2, 3,{\ldots }\). If L, S are the atoms of two different elements A, B (dimension \(d = 0\)) or two self-similar structures with \(d > 0\) that are composed of these elements, then such a generator forms a self-similar binary structure with the dimension \(d+1\) (a quasicrystal), composed of \(\hbox {A}_{x^{\prime }}\hbox {B}\), where \(x^{\prime }\) depends solely on the parameters l and m. In this study, the stoichiometric coefficient \(x^{\prime }\) was calculated for about 20 of such quasicrystals. The generator was found to enable, for certain values of l and m, the formation of structures with degenerate symmetry, that is, the transition from self-similar to translational symmetry. Thus, the generated structures can be divided according to l and m into three groups: structures that contain only one type of homobonds, A–A, with self-similarity as the only permissible symmetry; structures that at least sometimes contain both types of homobonds, A–A and B–B, with self-similarity as the only permissible symmetry; and structures that sometimes show translational symmetry. All of the researched structures in the first group have the same estimated values of internal energy and configuration entropy determined by the isotopic composition. All structures in the second group have the same configuration entropy but different internal energies. In the third group, the configuration entropy of structures that show translational symmetry is lower than that of the self-similar structures. On the other hand, internal energy favours (that is, is lower in) structures with translational symmetry over self-similar structures only when the energy of the A–B bonds is higher than the mean energy of A–A and B–B bonds. In other words, self-similar systems can be energetically more stable compared to crystals as long as the energy of the A–B heterobonds is low. The method for generating self-similar objects proposed in this paper seems to be the first method in which the means of generation do not change with the geometric dimension d of the generated structure.     

Binary homogeneous nucleation in water-succinic acid and water-glutaric acid systems

Binary homogeneous nucleation of water-succinic acid and water-glutaric acid systems have been investigated. The numerical approach was based on the classical nucleation theory. Usually, nucleation is discussed in terms of kinetics, but the thermodynamics involved is undoubtedly equally important. In this paper we studied the above mentioned binary systems giving a quantitative insight into the nucleation process and a detailed consideration of the thermodynamics involved. Both diacids in study are in solid state at room temperature. They behave in environment according to their liquid state properties because of the absence of crystalline lattice energies, and therefore their subcooled liquid state thermodynamics have to be considered. The lack of consistent thermodynamic data for pure organic components and their aqueous solutions represent a high source of uncertainty. However, the present simulations indicate that in atmospheric conditions these binary systems will not form new particles.     

Ion exchange separations in the analysis of bismuth base alloys : Binary alloys with uranium and thorium

Procedures are described for the determination of uranium (0.001–10%) and thorium (0.05–10%) in binary mixtures with bismuth. A preliminary separation of the bismuth is effected by the passage of a hydrochloric acid solution of the sample through a column of Deacidite FF For thorium contents greater than 1%, the determination is completed volumetrically with EDTA using pyrocatechol violet as indicator, smaller amounts are determined absorptiometrically with thoronol Similarly the higher uranium contents are determined volumetrically after reduction to the tetravalent state with a lead reductor, and an absorptiometric method based on the coloured complex formed by tetravalent uranium with thoronol is used for the smaller amounts.     

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.     

A DIM model for homogeneous noble gas ionic clusters

The method of diatomics-in-molecules (DIM) is applied to the calculation of the energy of the homogeneous noble-gas ionic clusters Ar _n ⁺ and Xe _n ⁺ forn=3, 4, ..., 22. The trimers are stable symmetric linear molecules exhibiting chemical binding, a result in agreement both with ab initio calculations and with previous DIM work. The clusters up ton=13 are best described as a trimer ion surrounded by neutrals, whereby the charge distribution changes slightly with increasingn. Both noble gases exhibit a special stability associated with the completion of the first shell of neutral atoms atn=13. Asn increases from 13 to 22, there is a greater delocalization of the positive charge, the central ion tending to become a linear tetramer, symmetric for Xe and unsymmetric for Ar. Energies of the excited electronic states are reported and the possibility of developing simpler DIM models for the clusters and for mixed noble gases is discussed.     

Electronic structures and stabilities of sodium clusters: jellium-sphere dimer calculation

Bonding properties of sodium-cluster dimers, (X ₄)₂ and (X ₈)₂, whereX _n is a jellium sphere corresponding to a cluster ofn atoms, were investigated by the linear-combination-of-jellium-orbitals method with local-spin-density-functional approximation. The stability ofn=8 clusters, observed in the experiment, is discussed in relation to the binding properties of dimers. We have found that (1) the (X ₄)₂ bonding has a covalent character, which makes theX ₈ formation favorable, and (2)X ₈ has an inert property because the force between jellium spheres in (X ₈)₂ is due to a weak dispersion force.     

Heterometallic heterochalcogenmethylarsenide clusters: Synthesis,molecular structures,and thermolysis

Reactions of the arsinechalcogenide complexes [Fe₃(μ₃-X)(μ₃-AsCH₃)(CO)₉] (X = Se (Ia) or Te (Ib)) with (PPh₃)₂Pt(PhC≡CPh) (transmetalation reaction) and Cp₂Cr₂(SCME₃)₂S (Cp = π-C₅H₅) (photochemical reaction) gave the heterometallic (heterochalcogen)(methylarsine) clusters [(PPh₃)₂Pt(μ₃-X)(μ₃-AsCH₃)Fe₂(CO)₆] (II and III, respectively), as well as Fe₃(μ₃-X)(μ₃-AsCH₃)(CO)₈(C₅H₅)₂Cr₂(μ₃-S)(μ₂-S ^t Bu)₂ (IV and V, respectively). The structures of complexes II, IV, and V were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Thermolysis of all the complexes yielded no metal carbides or oxides.     

Binary clusters AuPt and Au6Pt: structure and reactivity within density functional theory

Within density functional theory with the general gradient approximation for the exchange and correlation, the bimetallic clusters AuPt and Au(6)Pt have been studied for their structure and reactivity. The bond strength of AuPt lies between those of Au(2) and Pt(2), and it is closer to that of Au(2). The Pt atom is the reactive center in both AuPt and AuPt(+) according to electronic structure analysis. AuPt(+) is more stable than AuPt. Au(6)Pt prefers electronic states with low multiplicity. The most stable conformation of Au(6)Pt is a singlet and has quasi-planar hexagonal frame with Pt lying at the hexagonal center. The doping of Pt in Au cluster enhances the chemical regioselectivity of the Au cluster. The Pt atom essentially serves as electron donor and the Au atoms bonded to the Pt atom acts as electron acceptor in Au(6)Pt. The lowest triplet of edge-capped rhombus Au(6)Pt clusters is readily accessible with very small singlet-triplet energy gap (0.32 eV). O(2) prefers to adsorb on Au and CO prefers to adsorb on Pt. O(2) and CO have stronger adsorption on AuPt than they do on Au(6)Pt. CO has a much stronger adsorption on AuPt bimetallic cluster than O(2) does. The adsorption of CO on Pt modifies the geometry of AuPt bimetallic clusters.     

ZnS bubble clusters with onion-like structures

Following recent studies which showed that the most stable structures for (ZnS)(n) clusters (n= 10-47) are the so-called "bubble clusters", in which all the atoms are three-coordinated, we have used simulated annealing techniques to find the most stable structure for a larger cluster, (ZnS)(60). We find an onion-like structure, with one small cluster enclosed inside a bigger one. The inner cluster has the structure of a sodalite cage. Bonding between the inner and the outer clusters creates a network of four-coordinated atoms.     

Gas-phase structures of neutral silicon clusters

Vibrational spectra of neutral silicon clusters Si(n), in the size range of n = 6-10 and for n = 15, have been measured in the gas phase by two fundamentally different IR spectroscopic methods. Silicon clusters composed of 8, 9, and 15 atoms have been studied by IR multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy of a cluster-xenon complex, while clusters containing 6, 7, 9, and 10 atoms have been studied by a tunable IR-UV two-color ionization scheme. Comparison of both methods is possible for the Si(9) cluster. By using density functional theory, an identification of the experimentally observed neutral cluster structures is possible, and the effect of charge on the structure of neutrals and cations, which have been previously studied via IR multiple photon dissociation, can be investigated. Whereas the structures of small clusters are based on bipyramidal motifs, a trigonal prism as central unit is found in larger clusters. Bond weakening due to the loss of an electron leads to a major structural change between neutral and cationic Si(8).     

Electronic structures and state densities for faujasite clusters

MINDO/3 and CNDO/2 methods have been applied to clusters simulating the structure of faujasite, with the inclusion of from 6 to 12 aluminum-oxygen and silicon-oxygen tetrahedra. A study has been made of how the integral and orbital electron-state densities vary with the dimensions of the zeolite fragment, the boundary conditions, and the calculation method. The fine structure in the cation state density peaks for aluminum in the valency band is only slightly dependent on the boundary conditions and the cluster dimensions, while the differences between the MINDO/3 and CNDO/2 results amount to a systematic shift in the peaks together with slight changes in the fine structure. On the other hand, the boundary conditions have a considerable effect on the orbital state density profiles for the oxygen ions in the upper valency quasiband for the faujasite clusters.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 210–216, March–April, 1986.     

Isomeric structures and structural transformations in small clusters

The temperature dependence of energies of the isomers of a seven-particle system is studied with a view toward understanding ergodicity problems in Monte Carlo simulations. It is found that the phase space of particles in a cluster is not ergodic at lower temperatures.     

Cyclic water clusters in tape-like and cage-like structures

Controlling the ratio of 2,2'-bpy to benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid produces two interesting complexes, namely [Co(2,2'-bpy)?]?(SO?)?8.5H?O (1) and [Cu?(BTCA) (2,2'-bpy)?] (OH)?(2,2'-bpy)?.??14H?O (2) (H?BTCA = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid, 2,2'-bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine). We report the structural evidence in the solid state of discrete lamellar water cluster conformations. These units are found to act as supramolecular glue in the aggregation of cobalt (II) or copper (II) complexes to give three dimensional cage-like networks through hydrogen-bonding. It is interesting that the structure of complex 1 contains a 3D negatively charged cage.     

Communication: The structures of small cationic gas-phase platinum clusters

The structures of small platinum clusters Pt(3-5)(+) are determined using far-infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy of their argon complexes combined with density functional theory calculations. The clusters are found to have compact structures, and Pt(4)(+) and Pt(5)(+) already favor three-dimensional geometries, in contrast to a number of earlier predictions. Challenges in applying density functional theory to 3rd row transition metal clusters are addressed. Preliminary calculations suggest that the effects of spin-orbit coupling do not change the favoured lowest-energy isomers.     

Structure of protonated water clusters: low-energy structures and finite temperature behavior

The structure of protonated water clusters H+(H2O)n (n=5-22) are examined by two Monte Carlo methods in conjunction with the OSS2 potential [L. Ojamae, I. Shavitt, and S. J. Singer J. Chem. Phys. 109, 5547 (1998)]. The basin-hopping method is employed to explore the OSS2 potential energy surface and to locate low-energy structures. The topology of the "global minimum," the most stable low-energy structure, changes from single ring to multiple ring to polyhedral cage as the cluster size grows. The temperature dependence of the cluster geometry is examined by carrying out parallel tempering Monte Carlo simulations. Over the temperature range we studied (25-330 K), all water clusters undergo significant structural changes. The trends are treelike structures dominating at high temperature and single-ring structures appearing in slightly lower temperatures. For n> or =7, an additional transition from single ring to multiple rings appears as the temperature decreases. Only for n> or =16 do polyhedral structures dominate the lowest temperature range. Our results indicate very dynamic structural changes at temperature range relevant to atmospheric chemistry and current experiments. The structures and properties of medium-sized protonated clusters in this temperature range are far from their global minimum cousins. The relevance of these findings to recent experiments and theoretical simulations is also discussed.     

Telluride clusters of molybdenum: Synthesis, structures, and NMR spectra

High-temperature reactions of Mo, chalcogen (S or Se), Te, and Br₂ in molar ratio Mo: S/Se: Te: Br = 3: 1: 6: 4 were carried out. The reaction products were subjected to mechanochemical activation with K(Dtp) (Dtp = (EtO)₂PS₂) in a vibrational mill, resulting in the formation of new compounds [Mo₃(μ₃-Q)_0.5(μ₃-O)_0.5(μ₂-Te₂)₃(Dtp)₃](Dtp) (Q = Se (I) and S (II)). The structure of compound I has been established by X-ray diffraction analysis. Solutions of compounds I and II contain mixtures of [Mo₃(μ₃-Q)(μ₂-Te₂)₃(Dtp)₃]⁺ and [Mo₃(μ₃-O)(μ₂-Te₂)₃(Dtp)₃]⁺, which is confirmed by mass spectrometry and ³¹P, ⁷⁷Se, and ¹²⁵Te NMR spectroscopy. Quantum-chemical calculations of the ¹²⁵Te NMR chemical shifts were performed. The compounds are also characterized by IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Structure I contains short nonvalent contacts between the sulfur atom of the out-of-sphere Dtp anion and the axial tellurium atoms of the cluster.     

Platinum-rhodium carbonyl clusters: new structures and new types of dynamical activity

The reaction of Rh(4)(CO)(12) with Pt(PBu(t)(3))(2) in CH(2)Cl(2) at room temperature yielded three new complexes: Rh(4)(CO)(4)-(mu-CO)(4)(mu(4)-CO)(PBu(t)(3))(2)[Pt(PBu(t)(3))], 10, Rh(2)(CO)(8)[Pt(PBu(t)(3))](2)[Pt(CO)], 11, and Rh(2)(CO)(8)[Pt(PBu(t)(3))](3), 12. The reaction of Rh(4)(CO)(12) with an excess of Pt(PBu(t)(3))(2) in hexane at 68 degrees C yielded the new hexarhodium-tetraplatinum compound, Rh(6)(CO)(16)[Pt(PBu(t)(3))](4), 13, in a low yield. All four compounds were characterized by (31)P NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compound 10 contains an unsymmetrical quadruply bridging carbonyl ligand in the fold of a butterfly tetrahedral cluster of four rhodium atoms with a Pt(PBu(t)(3)) group bridging the hinge of the butterfly tetrahedron. Compound 11 contains an unsaturated trigonal bipyramidal Rh(2)Pt(3) cluster. Compound 12 is similar to 11 except the trigonal bipyramidal Rh(2)Pt(3) cluster opened by cleavage of one Pt-Rh bond due to steric interactions produced by the replacement of one of the carbonyl ligands in 11 with a tri-tert-butylphosphine ligand. Compound 12 undergoes facile dynamical rearrangements of the metal atoms in the cluster which average the three inequivalent phosphine ligands on the platinum atoms. Compound 13 contains an octahedral cluster of six rhodium atoms with four Pt(PBu(t)(3)) groups bridging edges of that octahedron.