An ab initio study of CO adsorption on ceria(1 1 0)

Hartree–Fock and DFT calculations are reported for the CO/CeO₂(1 1 0) surface system. The electron density, electrostatic potential, atomic charges and projected electronic density of states have been calculated from an ECP-and-point-charge-embedded cluster model and is compared with periodic calculations. The agreement between the two surface models is reasonably good. A number of weakly bonding CO adsorption sites were found, with E_ads (BSSE-corrected) ranging from 0.01 to 0.22 eV per adsorbed molecule. The two most favourable sites are found in the vicinity of surface cerium ions, with the CO molecule oriented in a tilted fashion, C-end down. The surface-induced CO stretching vibrational frequency shifts on these sites are a redshift of ≈−30 cm⁻¹ and a blueshift of ≈25 cm⁻¹, respectively.     

Adsorption of alkali metals on Ge(0 0 1)(2 × 1) surface

Ab initio total energy calculations have been performed for Na, K and Rb adsorption on Ge(0 0 1)(2 × 1) surface. It was found that the adsorption site of AM is AM size dependent. Structural analysis showed that the Ge–Ge dimer bond becomes stronger with increasing AM size. As the coverage increases from 0.5 to 1 ML it turns out that no depolarization effect occurs upon Na adsorption, while this effect becomes more important with increasing AM size. We also found that for all adsorption systems investigated the germanium surface is metallic and semiconducting for the coverage of 0.5 and 1 ML, respectively.     

Ab initio calculations of surface electronic states in indium oxide

A slab approach in the framework of ab initio calculations was applied to study surface electronic states in In₂O₃ crystal. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out employing the WIEN 2k code and using the full potential method with Augmented Plane Waves + local orbitals (APW+lo) formalism. Total and partial DOS (Density of States) were calculated for In and O atoms in two upper (110) surface layers. Comparison of total and partial DOS allowed determining a contribution of electronic states of different In and O surface atoms into formation of surface electronic spectra and corresponding chemical bonds. A dominant ionic character of chemical bonds in In₂O₃ is found. Calculations were performed for three slab models with different geometry parameters. It was shown that an optimal ratio between the whole vertical size of a supercell and the vertical size of atomic cluster has to be chosen. The size of vacuum region in the slab model influences significantly on the reliability of calculated characteristics of the surface electronic structure. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Ab initio potential-energy surface and rovibrational states of the HCN-HCl complex

A four-dimensional intermolecular potential-energy surface has been calculated for the HCN-HCl complex, with the use of the coupled cluster method with single and double excitations and noniterative inclusion of triples. Data for more than 13,000 geometries were represented by an angular expansion in terms of coupled spherical harmonics; the dependence of the expansion coefficients on the intermolecular distance R was described by the reproducing kernel Hilbert space method. The global minimum with De=1565 cm(-1) and Re=7.47a0 has a linear HCN-HCl hydrogen-bonded structure with HCl as the donor. A secondary hydrogen-bonded equilibrium structure with De=564 cm(-1) and Re=8.21a0 has a T-shaped geometry with HCN as the donor and the acceptor HCl molecule nearly perpendicular to the intermolecular axis. This potential surface was used in a variational approach to compute a series of bound states of the isotopomers HCN-H35Cl, DCN-H35Cl, and HCN-H37Cl for total angular momentum J=0,1,2 and spectroscopic parities e, f. The results could be analyzed in terms of the approximate quantum numbers of a linear polyatomic molecule with two coupled bend modes, plus a quantum number for the intermolecular stretch vibration. They are in good agreement with the recent high resolution spectrum of Larsen et al. [Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 7, 1953 (2005)] in the region of 330 cm(-1) corresponding to the HCl libration. The (partly anomalous) effects of isotopic substitutions on the properties of the complex were explained with the aid of the calculations.     

Atomic arrangement of Al-induced clusters on Si(0 0 1) surface at high temperature

The atomic structure of the Al-induced clusters on Si(0 0 1) surface formed by the annealing of 0.5 ML Al/Si(0 0 1) at 500 °C has been studied using coaxial impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy (CAICISS). CAICISS results proposed that the Al atoms occupy the cave site (T4 site) and off-centered T4 site. To determine the structure of the Al-induced clusters definitely, classical ion-scattering trajectory simulations using scattering and recoiling imaging code (SARIC) have been performed for the recently proposed most possible four different cluster models (Bunk, Zotov, Kotlyar, and Zavodinsky model). Our CAICISS spectra and simulation results show that the Bunk model is the best plausible one among the models. As the results of the simulations, it is found that Al–Si dimers has been oriented on the topmost layer of the Si(0 0 1) surface with a bonding length (Δz) of 1.00 ± 0.05 Å.     

Ab initio studies of

Ab initio calculations of the [1,5]-H shift in (3Z)-penta-1,3-diene and other substituted pentadienes and heteroanalogues using the hybrid density functional Becke3LYP with the 6-31G basis set are presented. Electron-donating substituents, such as methoxy in (3Z)-3-methoxypenta-1,3-diene 1, or heteroatoms such as a nitrogen atom in (Z)-ethylidenevinylamine 2, (1Z)-buta-1,3-dienylamine 3, (2Z)-but-2-enylideneamine 4, (Z)-allylidenemethylamine 5, and methylene-(Z)-propenylamine 6 are introduced. The electron-withdrawing fluoride is substituted for the hydrogen atoms in (3Z)-3-fluoropenta-1,3-diene 7, (3Z)-2,4-difluoropenta-1,3-diene 8, (3Z)-1,1',2,3,4,5,5'-heptafluoropenta- 1,3-diene 10, (1E,3E)-1,3,5-trifluoropenta-1,3-diene 11, and (1Z,3E)-1,3,5- trifluoropenta-1,3-diene 13. A detailed analysis of the geometries, energies, and electronic characteristics of the sigmatropic transposition compared to those of the unsubstituted case provides insights into substituent effects of this prototype of pericyclic reaction. The inductive and mesomeric effects of heteroatoms or heterosubstituents are of a great importance and in a continuous balance in the energetics of the transformation. Sterics can also play an important role due to the geometrical constraints of the reaction. As a general trend, decreasing the electron density of the phi system destabilizes the aromatic transition structure and increases the activation energy, and vice versa.     

Adsorption of hydrogen on Pt(1 1 1) and Pt(1 0 0) surfaces and its role in the HOR

Hydrogen adsorption isotherms, evaluated by combination of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, are reported on Pt(1 1 1) and Pt(1 0 0) surfaces in 0.1 M HClO₄. We found that at E > 0.05 V Pt(1 1 1) and Pt(1 0 0) are only partially covered by the adsorbed hydrogen (H_ad). On both surfaces, a full monolayer of the adsorbed hydrogen is completed at −0.1 V, i.e. the adsorption of atomic hydrogen is observed in the hydrogen evolution potential region. We also found, that the activity of the hydrogen oxidation reaction is mirrored by the shape of the hydrogen adsorption isotherms, implying that H_ad is in fact a spectator in the HOR.     

Ab initio potential energy surface and bound states of the Xe-CO complex

The first two-dimensional potential energy surface for the Xe-CO van der Waals interaction is calculated by the single and double excitation coupled-cluster theory with noniterative treatment of triple excitations. Mixed basis sets, aug-cc-pVQZ for the C and O atoms, and aug-cc-pVQZ-PP for the Xe atom, with an additional (3s3p2d2f1g) set of midbond functions, are used. Our potential energy surface has a single, nearly T-shaped minimum of -131.87 cm(-1) at R(e)=7.80a(0) and theta(e)=102.5 degrees. Based on the potential, the bound state energies are calculated for seven isotopomers of the Xe-(12)C(16)O complex, seven isotopomers of the Xe-(13)C(16)O complex, and three isotopomers of the Xe-(13)C(18)O complex. Compared with available experimental data, the predicted transition frequencies and spectroscopic constants are in good agreement with the experimental results.     

A possible approach towards spin-polarized transport through single molecule magnets: Mn12 on Au(1 0 0)/Fe(1 0 0)/MgO(1 0 0)

The possibility to use the Au(1 0 0)/Fe(1 0 0)/MgO(1 0 0) system as a substrate for future spin-polarized transport measurements on Mn₁₂ single molecule magnets has been investigated by means of scanning tunneling microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at room temperature. In particular, the stability of the iron layer during a wet chemical preparation of Mn₁₂ monolayers was studied. The results demonstrate that Mn₁₂ can be deposited on Au(1 0 0)/Fe(1 0 0)/MgO(1 0 0) while preserving the metallic nature of the ferromagnetic iron layer which is required as a possible source of spin-polarized electrons in future studies.     

Transition metals on the (0 0 0 1) surface of graphite: Fundamental aspects of adsorption,diffusion, and morphology

In this article, we review basic information about the interaction of transition metal atoms with the (0 0 0 1) surface of graphite, especially fundamental phenomena related to growth. Those phenomena involve adatom-surface bonding, diffusion, morphology of metal clusters, interactions with steps and sputter-induced defects, condensation, and desorption. General traits emerge which have not been summarized previously. Some of these features are rather surprising when compared with metal-on-metal adsorption and growth. Opportunities for future work are pointed out.     

Ab initio potential energy surface and bound states for the Kr-OCS complex

The first ab initio potential energy surface of the Kr-OCS complex is developed using the coupled-cluster singles and doubles with noniterative inclusion of connected triples [CCSD(T)]. The mixed basis sets, aug-cc-pVTZ for the O, C, and S atom, and aug-cc-pVQZ-PP for the Kr atom, with an additional (3s3p2d1f) set of midbond functions are used. A potential model is represented by an analytical function whose parameters are fitted numerically to the single point energies computed at 228 configurations. The potential has a T-shaped global minimum and a local linear minimum. The global minimum occurs at R = 7.146 a(0), θ = 105.0° with energy of -270.73 cm(-1). Bound state energies up to J = 9 are calculated for three isotopomers (82)Kr-OCS, (84)Kr-OCS, and (86)Kr-OCS. Analysis of the vibrational wavefunctions and energies suggests the complex can exist in two isomeric forms: T-shaped and quasi-linear. The calculated transition frequencies and spectroscopic constants of the three isotopomers are in good agreement with the experimental values.     

Ab initio studies onl-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (l-DABA)

Ab initio calculations are used to determine the most stable conformation forl-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (l-DABA). Structural characteristics are obtained and compared toγ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) It is found that forl-DABA the extended, partially folded, and cyclic conformations are almost equal in energy.     

Synthesis and characterization of preferentially oriented (1 0 0) Pt nanowires

Two types of platinum deposits were obtained by potentiostatic deposition onto Ti substrates, namely platinum black (Pt B) and platinum nanowires (Pt NW) with the latter being achieved through a porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane at the solution/substrate interface. Surface characterization of these deposits was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) in sulphuric acid solution. Surface properties for Pt NW revealed a predominant presence of (1 0 0) crystallographic planes, not present in Pt B deposit grown in the same conditions. Also, Pt NW exhibits an increased resistance to electrochemically active surface area (EASA) loss upon potential cycling in acidic solution, as compared to Pt B.     

Formation of π-coupled organic wire on the Si(0 0 1)[2 × 1] surface

The stability and electronic properties of highly packed 1-hexyl-naphthalene (HNap) molecular wire on Si(0 0 1) have been studied with first principles DFT method. HNap assembles into a 1D arrangement on the Si(0 0 1)[2 × 1] surface on which molcules adopt a commensurate structure along a dimer row with an intermolecular distance of 3.8 Å. HNap is attached to the surface through the hexyl chain, and stands normal to the surface. This highly packed structure leads to the formation of delocalized π-orbitals over the entire wire but essentially localized on the naphthalene counterpart, and well separated from the Si surface states. Cohesion energy within the wire arises from a significant attraction between hexyl chains, and to a weaker stabilizing π–π interaction between naphthalenes.     

Adsorption of the first row of transition metals on the perfect and defective MgO(1 0 0) surface

We present DFT calculations for adsorption of the first row of transition metal atoms on a MgO(1 0 0) surface and on a surface exhibiting defects. Some atoms exhibit a high adsorption energy on the defect (e.g. Co, Ni and Cu), but others (Ca, Sc) rather adsorb on a clean surface and another set is indifferent to the presence of defect. The adsorption becomes energetically unfavorable when the σ anti-bonding orbitals become populated; this is worse on a defective surface than on a terrace. The π back-donation to the surface contributes to favor the adsorption on the center.     

CI Study of CO adsorption on MgO(1 0 0)

Using CI embedding method, we have studied the adsorption of CO on MgO(1 0 0). The MgO(1 0 0) substrate is described by a Mg₉O₉ (3 × 3 × 2) core cluster, embedded in ionic (Mg²⁺/O²⁻) core potentials. The adsorption energy is calculated to be 0.11 eV at the CI level with a blue shift of 19 cm⁻¹ for CO stretching on MgO(1 0 0). The dispersion accounts only 35% of the total binding energy of CO on MgO(1 0 0). The CO/MgO(1 0 0) interaction is weak and mainly of the van der Waals type with only slight chemical bonding characters.     

Electrochemical deposition of PbTe onto n-Si(1 0 0) wafers

Electrochemical deposition of PbTe from 50 mM Pb(NO₃)₂ + 1 mM TeO₂ + 0.1 M HNO₃ solution onto n-Si(1 0 0) wafers was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry, ex situ SEM, XRD and EDX. Electrochemical behavior of n-Si(1 0 0) electrode in electrolytes 50 mM Pb(NO₃)₂ + 0.1 M HNO₃ and 1 mM TeO₂ + 0.1 M HNO₃ was also studied. No underpotential deposition (UPD) of Pb and Te onto n-Si was observed in the investigated systems indicating weak Pb–Si and Te–Si interactions. Deposition of Pb and Te on n-Si occurred with overvoltage via 3D island growth. Electrosynthesis of PbTe (NaCl-like structure, a = 0.650 nm) takes place due to codeposition of Pb and Te at potentials E > E_{Pb²⁺/Pb⁰} (lead UPD onto tellurium). Cathodic deposition of PbTe onto n-Si(1 0 0) is irreversible – there is no anodic current in the CV curve. Oxidation of PbTe on n-Si is observed only under illumination, when photoelectrons and photoholes are generated in silicon substrate.     

Ab initio studies of the ground-state potential energy surface of formamide

Ab initio calculations employing a standard double-zeta basis set augmented with various polarization functions have been used to investigate the lowest energy region of the ground-state potential energy surface of the formamide molecule. Hartree-Fock calculations with only d polarization functions on the nonhydrogen atoms located two stable minima, that with geometry distorted from planarity having slightly lower energy; only one stable minimum with planar structure is found when p polarization functions on the hydrogens are included. In contrast optimizations, which account approximately for the correlation energy using second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory consistently favor a single slightly nonplanar minimum energy geometry.