Examination of the bonding in binary transition-metal monophosphides MP (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co) by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The binary transition-metal monophosphides CrP, MnP, FeP, and CoP have been studied with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The shifts in phosphorus 2p(3/2) core line binding energies relative to that of elemental phosphorus indicated that the degree of ionicity of the metal-phosphorus bond decreases on progressing from CrP to CoP. The metal 2p(3/2) core line binding energies differ only slightly and show similar line shapes to those of the elemental metals, reaffirming the notion that these transition-metal phosphides have considerable metallic character. The satellite structure observed in the Co 2p(3/2) X-ray photoelectron spectra of Co metal and CoP was examined by reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy and has been attributed to plasmon loss, not final state effects as has been previously suggested. Valence-band spectra of the transition-metal phosphides agree well with the density of states profiles determined from band structure calculations. The electron populations of the different electronic states were extracted from the fitted valence-band spectra, and these confirm the presence of strong M-P and weak P-P bonding interactions. Atomic charges determined from the P 2p core line spectra and the fitted valence-band spectra support the approximate formulation M(1+)P(1-) for these phosphides.     

Dissociative electron attachment to Pt(PF3)4--a precursor for focused electron beam induced processing (FEBIP)

Experimental absolute cross sections for dissociative electron attachment (DEA) to Pt(PF(3))(4) are presented. Fragment anions resulting from the loss of one, two, three and four PF(3) ligands as well as the Pt(PF(3))F(-) and the F(-) ions were observed. The parent anion Pt(PF(3)) is too short-lived to be detected. The dominant process is loss of one ligand, with a very large cross section of 20?000 pm(2); the other processes are about 200× weaker, with cross sections around 100 pm(2), the naked Pt(-) anion is formed with a cross section of only 1.8 pm(2). The resonances responsible for the DEA bands were assigned based on comparison with electron energy-loss spectra and spectra of vibrational excitation by electron impact. Bands around 0.5 eV and 2 eV were assigned to shape resonances with single occupation of virtual orbitals. A DEA band at 5.9 eV was assigned to a core-excited resonance corresponding to an electron very weakly bound to the lowest excited state. An F(-) band at 12.1 eV is assigned to a core excited resonance with a vacancy in an orbital corresponding to the 2nd ionization energy of the PF(3) ligand. Implications of these findings for FEBIP are discussed.     

SCF-Xα MO studies of the x-ray spectra of CuO and ZnO

SCF-Xα scattered wave cluster MO calculations for the oxyanions CuO^?6₄ (D_4h symmetry) and ZnO^?6₄ (Td symmetry) yield results in good agreement with the X-ray photoelectron and X-ray emission spectra of CuO and ZnO, respectively. Agreement of the calculations with optical data is fair. Calculations of the valence electron and core electron hole states of these oxyanions support the assignment of photoelectron shakeup satellites to valence band to conduction band transitions. Calculated shakeup energies for the Cu2p core spectrum in CuO are 7.4 and 9.9 eV (cf. experimental values of 7.5 and 10.0 eV) while shakeup peaks in the valence region spectrum are predicted at 6.1 and 8.0 eV. (Cf. a broad peak with maximum at 8.1 eV observed experimentally.) The absence of intense low energy satellites in the spectra of ZnO is explained by the small amount of electron reorganization in the outer valence levels attendant upon hole formation.     

Photoemission on gold-55-clusters derived from gold-phosphine AuP(C6H5)3Cl

We measured XPS and UPS spectra of gold clusters with 55 atoms, embedded in an electrically isolating phosphine matrix, and of gold-phosphine, from which the clusters were chemically derived. Compared to the spectra of bulk gold the valence band spectrum and the core level spectra of the clusters showed shifts of the peaks and the fermi level to higher binding energies. The shift of the peaks could qualitatively be interpreted by a final state effect. We succeeded in a separation of bulk and surface contributions to the core level spectra and in a reasonable quantitative analysis of the valence band spectrum of the clusters. The Au 4f core level spectrum of gold-phosphine showed two peaks at 1.5 eV higher binding energies than the corresponding peaks of the clusters.     

HeI photoelectron spectroscopic study of the electronic structure of SSF2 and FSSF compounds

HeI photoelectron (PE) spectra are re-recorded for SSF₂ and FSSF. The assignment of bands has been made with the aid of band shapes, band intensities and ab initio calculations. In the PE spectrum of SSF₂, two sharp peaks at 10.48 and 11.22 eV are considered to result from through-space interaction of lone-pair orbitals in the two S atoms and two sharp peaks at 12.50 and 12.90 eV from through-space interaction of lone-pair orbitals in the two F atoms. The larger splitting of the S atoms can be attributed to the larger 3p orbital of S. The lack of sharp peaks in the PE spectrum of FSSF shows that there is no orbital which embodies the character of a lone-pair. So the PE spectra of SSF₂ and FSSF are examples embodying through-space interaction of lone-pair orbitals.     

Photoelectron imaging of helium droplets doped with Xe and Kr atoms

Helium droplets doped with Xe and Kr atoms were photoionized by using VUV synchrotron radiation from the Advanced Light Source and the resulting photoelectron images were measured. A wide range of He droplet sizes, photon energies, and dopant pick-up conditions was investigated. Significant ionization of dopants was observed at 21.6 eV, the absorption maximum of 2p (1)P1 electronic excited state of He droplets, indicating an indirect ionization mechanism via excitation transfer. The photoelectron images and spectra reveal multiple photoionization mechanisms and pathways for the photoelectrons to escape the droplet. Specifically, they show sets of sharp peaks assigned to two mechanisms for Penning ionization of the dopant by He* in which the photoelectrons leave the droplet with no detectable energy loss, a broad, intense feature representing electrons that undergo significant energy loss, and a small amount of ultraslow electrons that may result from electron trapping at the droplet surface. The droplet-size dependence of the broad, intense feature suggests the development of the conduction band edge in the largest droplets seen here ((N) approximately 250,000).     

Solution route to inorganic nanobelt‐conducting organic polymer core‐shell nanocomposites

A facile and versatile solution‐based approach was developed to prepare semiconductor metal oxide nanobelt‐conducting organic polymer core‐shell nanocomposites. Well‐defined nanobelts of several types of oxide nanobelts were combined with conducting polymer [polypyrrole (PPy) and polyaniline (PANi)] via in situ polymerization in aqueous solution to obtain a new type of inorganic–organic composite nanostructure. Samples were characterized by using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, electron energy loss spectra, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible techniques. Electron energy loss spectra revealed the existence of C?C and C? N bonds in coating layers to prove the encapsulation of PPy or PANi. The red‐shift of absorption band at high‐energy was observed for PPy‐encapsulated composites via ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and significant absorption band shifts were also encountered to PANi‐encapsulated composites, which suggest possibilities of band‐gap tuning of such metal oxide‐conducting polymer composites to be applied especially in solar cell devices. However, the sacrifice of nanobelts‐core led to hollow structures of PPy and PANi, which expands the synthetic strategies to prepare conducting polymer nanotubes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2892–2900, 2005     

Experimental and Theoretical Electronic Structure Investigations on alpha-Nb(3)Cl(8) and the Intercalated Phase beta'-NaNb(3)Cl(8)

The electronic structures of the cluster compound alpha-Nb(3)Cl(8) and the intercalated phase beta'-NaNb(3)Cl(8) have been studied by core level and valence band X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and charge-self-consistent molecular orbital (CSC-EH) and band structure (CSC-EH-TB) calculations. The crystal structures of the two compounds consist of layers of interconnected Nb(3)Cl(13) units. XP and UP valence band spectra as well as the band structure calculations show well separated sets of Cl 3p levels at lower energy (higher binding energy) and Nb 4d levels at higher energy (lower binding energy), indicative of mainly ionic Nb-Cl bonding. The UP spectra of alpha-Nb(3)Cl(8) reveal a triple-peak structure for the Nb 4d levels, corresponding to the 1a(1), 1e, and 2a(1) metal-metal bonding orbitals of a seven-electron Nb(3) cluster as suggested by theory. The valence band shapes are in good agreement with the theoretical density-of-states curve. The relative intensities in the XP valence band spectra of beta'-NaNb(3)Cl(8) evidence an additional electron in the Nb 4d orbitals. The better resolved UP spectra, however, show a broad pattern for the Nb 4d levels which is neither expected from a single cluster model nor given by the theoretical density-of-states curve. Possible origins for this discrepancy between experiment and theory are discussed. Electrostatic interactions between Na(+) and Cl(-) ions in beta'-NaNb(3)Cl(8) lead to a narrowing of the Cl 2p core level and Cl 3p valence band signals, the former being shifted to higher binding energy in comparison to alpha-Nb(3)Cl(8). Two rather narrow absorptions in the optical spectra of alpha-Nb(3)Cl(8) are assigned to the transitions from the 1a(1) and 1e levels into the singly occupied 2a(1) orbital. These absorptions are missing in the optical spectra of beta'-NaNb(3)Cl(8), in agreement with the theoretical expectations for an eight electron Nb(3) cluster.     

Comparative first-principles study of structural and optical properties of alkali metal azides

A comparative first-principles study of the structural and optical properties of the alkali metal azides has been performed with density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation. The crystal structures of the alkali azides compare well with experimental data. Their ionic character is manifested by the closeness of their internitrogen distances to the calculated N-N bond length for the free azide ion. An analysis of electronic structure, charge transfer, and bond order shows that the alkali azides are all wide-gap insulators and ionic compounds. The energy band and density of states for lithium azide and alpha-sodium azide are very similar, while these for potassium azide, alpha-rubidium azide, and alpha-cesium azide are alike, but some modifications are observed with the increment of alkali metals' electropositivity. These changes are closely related to the differences of the crystal structures. The general shapes of the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function, adsorption coefficient, and electron energy-loss spectra are quite similar. The peaks originate from the electron transitions from the alkali metal s and p states to the conduction band. Our calculated optical properties for the alkali azides are found to be in good agreement with available experimental data. The absorption spectra of the alkali azides show a number of absorption peaks, which are believed to be associated with different exciton states, in the fundamental absorption region. In general, the electron energy-loss spectra have two plasma frequencies.     

Intraband spectroscopy and band offsets of colloidal II-VI core/shell structures

The interband and intraband spectra of colloidal II-VI CdS and CdSe quantum dot cores and CdSZnSe, CdSCdSe, CdSeCdS, and CdSeZnSe core/shell systems are reported. Infrared absorption peaks between 0.5 and 0.2 eV are observed. The slope of the intraband energy versus the first interband absorption feature is characteristic of the relative band alignments of the materials constituting the core and the shell and it is analyzed within an effective mass model. The analysis provides a new estimate of the band gap of zinc blende CdSe as well as the band offsets in zinc blende and wurtzite CdSe, CdS, and ZnSe.     

Optical absorption and valence band photoemission from uncapped CdTe nanocrystals

CdTe nanocrystals have been successfully fabricated by a mechanical alloying process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns demonstrate that a single-phase CdTe compound with a zinc blende structure has been formed after ball milling elemental Cd and Te mixture powders for 27 h. The large broadening effect for the width of the {111} diffraction peak of uncapped CdTe nanocrystals on smaller size was observed in slowly scanned XRD patterns. The X-ray photoelectron spectrum was used to study the surface of the uncapped CdTe nanocrystals within both core level and valence band regions. The presence of tellurium oxide film on the surface of the uncapped CdTe nanocrystals has been detected in the X-ray photoelectron spectrum of the Te 3d core level, which was comparable to the observed amorphous oxide thin layer on the surface of uncapped CdTe nanocrystals in a high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) image. The energy of the valence band maximum for uncapped CdTe powders blue shifts to the higher energy side with smaller particle sizes. In UV-visible optical absorption spectra of the suspension solution containing uncapped CdTe nanocrystals, the absorption peaks were locating within the ultraviolet region, which shifted toward the higher energy side with prolonged ball milling time. Both blue shifts of valence band maximum energy and absorption peaks with decreasing particle size provide a unique pathway to reveal the quantum confinement effect of uncapped CdTe nanocrystals.     

Inner- and valence-shell excitation of SF4 studied by photoabsorption and electron energy loss spectroscopy

The S 1s photoabsorption spectrum of SF₄ recorded with synchrotron radiation is reported along with the electron energy loss spectrum of SF₄ in the regions of S 2p, S 2s and F 1s excitation recorded under dipole dominated conditions. The electron energy loss spectrum of SF₄ in the region of valence electron excitation is also reported. All of these spectra are interpreted in terms of a common manifold of upper levels which includes valence levels whose term values reflect the different axial and equatorial SF bond lengths in this molecule. The spectra are good examples of the effects of potential barriers on electronic excitation spectra.     

Photoelectron spectroscopic studies of the formation of hydroxyapatite films on 316L stainless steel pretreated with etidronic acid

The valence band and core‐level X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to probe hydroxyapatite films formed on the surface of stainless steel. These films formed on steel may find application in medical implants. The key to the successful adhesion of the hydroxyapatite films is shown to be the initial formation of a thin, oxide‐free etidronate film on the metal. It was not found possible to prepare the hydroxyapatite films directly on the metal surfaces. Since hydroxyapatite is a key component of bone and teeth, it is likely that the coated metals will have desirable biocompatible properties. The hydroxyapatite film was exposed to air, water, and 1M sodium chloride solution as representative components of the environment of the film in the human body, and these exposures led to no detectable decomposition of the film. The thin hydroxyapatite and etidronate film on the metal show differential charging effects that caused a doubling of the peaks in some core level spectra. The valence band spectra proved especially valuable in the identification of the surface chemistry of the films, and these spectra were interpreted by comparing the experimental spectra with spectra calculated using band structure calculations which showed good agreement with experiment. The calculated spectrum of etidronic acid was found to be significantly different to that of etidronate. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetic energies to analyze the experimental auger electron spectra by density functional theory calculations

In the Auger electron spectra (AES) simulations, we define theoretical modified kinetic energies of AES in the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The modified kinetic energies correspond to two final-state holes at the ground state and at the transition-state in DFT calculations, respectively. This method is applied to simulate Auger electron spectra (AES) of 2nd periodic atom (Li, Be, B, C, N, O, F)-involving substances (LiF, beryllium, boron, graphite, GaN, SiO₂, PTFE) by deMon DFT calculations using the model molecules of the unit cell. Experimental KVV (valence band electrons can fill K-shell core holes or be emitted during KVV-type transitions) AES of the (Li, O) atoms in the substances agree considerably well with simulation of AES obtained with the maximum kinetic energies of the atoms, while, for AES of LiF, and PTFE substance, the experimental F KVV AES is almost in accordance with the spectra from the transitionstate kinetic energy calculations.     

Inner shell excitation of SF6 by 2.5 keV electron impact

The S 2p, S 2s and F 1s inner shell excitation spectra of SF₆ have been examined by small angle, inelastic scattering of 2.5 keV electrons. While the main features of the spectra are in agreement with previous photoabsorption spectra, a number of new features have been observed. A detailed investigation of the S 2p spectrum below the ionization limit has been performed. The weak Rydberg structure in this region has been interpreted on the basis of a comparison of the present electron energy loss results with previous photoabsorption studies. Part of the Rydberg structure in the electron impact spectrum has been identified as arising from electric quadrupole transitions.     

Absolute dipole differential oscillator strengths for inner shell spectra from high resolution electron energy loss studies of the freon molecules CF4, CF3Cl, CF2Cl2, CFCl3 and CCl4

Absolute differential photoabsorption oscillator strengths (cross sections) for the F 1s, C 1s, and Cl 2p, 2s inner shells of the freon molecules CF₃Cl, CF₂Cl₂ and CFCl₃ have been derived from high resolution electron energy loss spectra obtained under dipole dominated conditions of high impact energy (3 keV) and zero degree mean scattering angle. Differential oscillator strengths have also been obtained from earlier reported electron energy loss spectra for CF₄ and CCl₄. The spectra are analyzed using the MO picture and the potential barrier model.     

Theoretical investigation of electron transport modulation through benzenedithiol by substituent groups

Density functional theory combined with nonequilibrium Green's function techniques was used to model the conduction through disubstituted benzenedithiol molecules bonded to leads composed of 3x3, 5x5 gold and 3x3 aluminum. For the disubstituted 3x3 Au-benzenedithiol-Au systems, the small lead cross section results in a region of nearly zero transmission from -0.4 to -0.2 eV, relative to E(F), due to the absence of lead states. This feature results in negative differential resistance in the current-voltage curves and also causes the main peaks in the transmission spectra, which are dominated by the highest occupied molecular orbitals, to be centered near E(F). The zero-bias transmissions for the disubstituted benzenedithiol, as well as currents at applied biases, correlate very well with the Hammett parameter sigma(p), a quantity that relates the electron donating or withdrawing strength of a substituent. Calculations on disubstituted benzenedithiol connected to 5x5 Au leads produced transmission spectra that showed no gaps over the energy range considered and no negative differential resistance. The transmission in these cases also predominately involves the highest occupied molecular orbitals, and electron donating and withdrawing groups are able to increase and decrease current, respectively. However, there is no strong correlation between current and sigma(p) for this system. This suggests that the correlation observed in the 3x3 Au systems arises from the abrupt cutoff of the main transmission peaks near E(F). The disubstituted 3x3 Al-benzenedithiol-Al systems displayed markedly different behavior from the Au analogs. Electron donating groups and H benzenedithiol-substituted systems display almost no transmission over the energy range considered. However, electron withdrawing group disubstituted benzenedithiol systems had significant peaks in the transmission spectra near E(F), which are associated with the lowest-energy, unoccupied pi-type molecular orbitals. Higher currents are calculated for cases where the substituents have pi-type orbitals that are conjugated with the ring moiety of benzenedithiol. In all cases, the current through the 3x3 Al-benzenedithiol-Al systems is about a factor of 2 less than that through the analogous Au systems. These simulations reveal that the electrical conductance behavior through nanosystems of the type investigated in this work depends on the nature of the molecule as well as the size and composition of the leads to which it is connected. The results suggest that rational design of nanoelectronic systems might be possible under certain conditions but that structure-function relationships cannot be transferred from one system to another.     

Laser Desorption Ionization Versus Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry: Applications in the Analysis of Cluster Anions

Mass spectra of transition metal carbonyl cluster anions were recorded using laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (LDI-TOF) and electrospray ionization (ESI) techniques. The LDI spectra generally contain peaks corresponding the intact cluster together with extensive CO loss fragments ions whereas the ESI spectra exhibit peaks corresponding the intact cluster together with few (if any) CO loss fragment ions. The parameters of both techniques can be modified to vary the extent of fragmentation. In all cases no fragmentation of the metal core is observed. Overall, ESI is a more informative method for the analysis of these types of cluster anions.     

Temperature effect on the absorption spectrum of the hydrated electron paired with a lithium cation in deuterated water

The absorption spectra of the hydrated electron in 1.0 to 4.0 M LiCl or LiClO4 deuterated water solutions were measured by pulse radiolysis techniques from room temperature to 300 degrees C at a constant pressure of 25 MPa. The results show that when the temperature is increased and the density is decreased, the absorption spectrum of the electron in the presence of a lithium cation is shifted to lower energies. Quantum classical molecular dynamics (QCMD) simulations of an excess electron in bulk water and in the presence of a lithium cation have been performed to compare with the experimental results. According to the QCMD simulations, the change in the shape of the spectrum is due to one of the three p-like excited states of the solvated electron destabilized by core repulsion. The study of s --> p transition energies for the three p-excited states reveals that for temperatures higher than room temperature, there is a broadening of each individual s --> p absorption band due to a less structured water solvation shell.