Analysis of localization sites for an excess electron in neutral methanol clusters using approximate pseudopotential quantum-mechanical calculations

We have used a recently developed electron-methanol molecule pseudopotential in approximate quantum mechanical calculations to evaluate and statistically analyze the physical properties of an excess electron in the field of equilibrated neutral methanol clusters ((CH(3)OH)(n), n=50-500). The methanol clusters were generated in classical molecular dynamics simulations at nominal 100 and 200 K temperatures. Topological analysis of the neutral clusters indicates that methyl groups cover the surface of the clusters almost exclusively, while the associated hydroxyl groups point inside. Since the initial neutral clusters are lacking polarity on the surface and compact inside, the excess electron can barely attach to these structures. Nevertheless, most of the investigated cluster configurations do support weakly stabilized cluster anion states. We find that similarly to water clusters, the pre-existing instantaneous dipole moment of the neutral clusters binds the electron. The localizing electrons occupy diffuse, weakly bound surface states that largely engulf the cluster although their centers are located outside the cluster molecular frame. The initial localization of the excess electron is reflected in its larger radius compared to water due to the lack of free OH hydrogens on the cluster surface. The stabilization of the excess electron increases, while the radius decreases monotonically as the clusters grow in size. Stable, interior bound states of the excess electron are not observed to form neither in finite size methanol clusters nor in the equilibrium bulk.     

Origin of the magic numbers of water clusters with an excess electron

Electron-bound water clusters [e(-)(H(2)O)(n)] show very strong peaks in mass spectra for n=2, 6, 7, and (11), which are called magic numbers. The origin of the magic numbers has been an enigma for the last two decades. Although the magic numbers have often been conjectured to arise from the intrinsic properties of electron-bound water clusters, we attributed them not to their intrinsic properties but to the particularly weak stability of the corresponding neutral water clusters (H(2)O)(n=2,6,7, and (11)). As the cluster size increases; this nonsmooth characteristic feature in stability of neutral water clusters is contrasted to the smooth increase in stability of e(-)-water clusters. As the magic number clusters have significant positive adiabatic electron affinities, their abundant distributions in atmosphere could play a significant role in atmospheric thermodynamics.     

HF(H2O)n clusters with an excess electron: ab initio study

The structures of electron-bound and neutral clusters of HF(H2O)n (n=1-3) were optimized at the level of second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2). Then, the energies were studied using the coupled cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples correction [CCSD(T)] method. The vertical detachment energies of the electron-bound clusters for n=1-3 are 60, 180, and approximately 300 meV, respectively. In the case of the n=3, two structures are competing energetically. The electron-bound clusters for n=1 and 2 are 1.5 and 1.8 kcal/mol more stable than the neutral, while that for n=3 is 0.6-0.9 kcal/mol less stable. The excess electron is stabilized in the surface-bound state of the dipole oriented structures of the hydrated acid clusters. Vibrational spectra of the electron-bound clusters are discussed.     

Excess electron localization sites in neutral water clusters

We present approximate pseudopotential quantum-mechanical calculations of the excess electron states of equilibrated neutral water clusters sampled by classical molecular dynamics simulations. The internal energy of the clusters are representative of those present at temperatures of 200 and 300 K. Correlated electronic structure calculations are used to validate the pseudopotential for this purpose. We find that the neutral clusters support localized, bound excess electron ground states in about 50% of the configurations for the smallest cluster size studied (n = 20), and in almost all configurations for larger clusters (n > 66). The state is always exterior to the molecular frame, forming typically a diffuse surface state. Both cluster size and temperature dependence of energetic and structural properties of the clusters and the electron distribution are explored. We show that the stabilization of the electron is strongly correlated with the preexisting instantaneous dipole moment of the neutral clusters, and its ground state energy is reflected in the electronic radius. The findings are consistent with electron attachment via an initial surface state. The hypothetical spectral dynamics following such attachment is also discussed.     

Electron solvation in water-ammonia mixed clusters: Structure, energetics, and the nature of localization states of the excess electron

The structure and energetics of water-ammonia mixed clusters with an excess electron, [(H2O)n(NH3)m]- with m=1, n=2-6 and m=2, n=2, and also the corresponding neutral clusters are investigated in detail by means of ab initio quantum chemical calculations. The authors focus on the localization structure of the excess electron with respect to its surface versus interiorlike states, its binding to ammonia versus water molecules, the spatial and orientational arrangement of solvent molecules around the excess electron, the changes of the overall hydrogen-bonded structure of the clusters as compared to those of the neutral ones and associated dipole moment changes, vertical detachment energies of the anionic clusters, and also the vertical attachment energies of the neutral clusters. It is found that the hydrogen-bonded structure of the anionic clusters are very different from those of the neutral clusters unlike the case of water-ammonia dimer anion, and these changes in structural arrangements lead to drastically different dipole moments of the anionic and the neutral clusters. The spatial distribution of the singly occupied molecular orbital holding the excess electron shows only surface states for the smaller clusters. However, for n=5 and 6, both surface and interiorlike binding states are found to exist for the excess electron. For the surface states, the excess electron can be bound to the dangling hydrogens of either an ammonia or a water molecule with different degrees of stability and vertical detachment energies. The interiorlike states, wherever they exist, are found to have a higher vertical detachment energy than any of the surface states of the same cluster. Also, for interiorlike states, the ammonia molecule with its dangling hydrogens is always found to stay on top or on a far side of the charge density of the excess electron without participating in the hydrogen bond network of the cluster; the intermolecular hydrogen bonds are formed by the water molecules only which add to the overall stability of these anionic clusters.     

Quantum-classical simulation of electron localization in negatively charged methanol clusters

A series of quantum molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to investigate the energetic, structural, dynamic, and spectroscopic properties of methanol cluster anions, [(CH(3)OH)(n)](-), (n = 50-500). Consistent with the inference from photo-electron imaging experiments, we find two main localization modes of the excess electron in equilibrated methanol clusters at ～200 K. The two different localization patterns have strikingly different physical properties, consistent with experimental observations, and are manifest in comparable cluster sizes to those observed. Smaller clusters (n ≤ 128) tend to localize the electron in very weakly bound, diffuse electronic states on the surface of the cluster, while in larger ones the electron is stabilized in solvent cavities, in compact interior-bound states. The interior states exhibit properties that largely resemble and smoothly extrapolate to those simulated for a solvated electron in bulk methanol. The surface electronic states of methanol cluster anions are significantly more weakly bound than the surface states of the anionic water clusters. The key source of the difference is the lack of stabilizing free hydroxyl groups on a relaxed methanol cluster surface. We also provide a mechanistic picture that illustrates the essential role of the interactions of the excess electron with the hydroxyl groups in the dynamic process of the transition of the electron from surface-bound states to interior-bound states.     

Large sodium clusters in an electrostatic field

We study light scattering by sodium clusters generated in a metal cell [3] and subjected to an external electrostatic field. Scattered laser light intensities at right angle to the incoming laser beam and with polarization parallel I _V and perpendicular I _H to that of the laser show two maxima as a function of the electrostatic field (potential of electrode): the central maximum CM for the zero field (V = 0) and the side maximum SM for ca. -60 V (field strength 2400 V/m). This behavior can be understood on the basis of the Mie scattering theory by taking into account electrostatic charging of clusters due to the laser light ionization of the medium (Na₂ molecules). The presented model leads to the conclusion that the electrostatic field changes cluster size, mainly due to the influence on the supersaturation of the medium. Clusters are charged with charge proportional to the cluster radius, only at SM clusters are neutral (zero charge). For electrode potential higher than SM clusters are positively charged, for smaller potential (more negative than SM) clusters are negatively charged.     

Theoretical study on the structure and energetics of alkali halide clusters

The structures of alkali halide clusters Na_nF_n, Li_nF_n and Na_nCl_n, and their metal-excess clusters Na_nF_n−1⁺, Li_nF_n−1⁺ and Na_nCl_n−1⁺ were investigated by the ab initio molecular orbital method for cluster sizes from 1 to 14. The magic numbers for the neutral clusters Na_nF_n, Li_nF_n and Na_nCl_n are 4, 6, and 8. The most stable structure for these cluster sizes is a perfect crystallite for Na_nF_n and Na_nCl_n, and a double ring for Li_nF_n. The magic numbers for the metal-excess clusters are 5 and 8, which are near ideal cuboids with (100) facets.     

Distinguishing metal halide molecular clusters from perovskite magic sized clusters in the synthesis of metal halide perovskite nanostructures

Background

Research into perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) has uncovered interesting properties compared to their bulk counterparts, including tunable optical properties due to size-dependent quantum confinement effect (QCE). More recently, smaller PNCs with even stronger QCE have been discovered, such as perovskite magic sized clusters (PMSCs) and ligand passivated PbX₂ metal halide molecular clusters (MHMCs) analogous to perovskites.

Objective

This review aims to present recent data comparing and contrasting the optical and structural properties of PQDs, PMSCs, and MHMCs, where CsPbBr₃ PQDs have first excitonic absorption around 520 nm, the corresponding PMSCS have absorption around 420 nm, and ligand passivated MHMCs absorb around 400 nm.

Results

Compared to normal perovskite quantum dots (PQDs), these clusters exhibit both a much bluer optical absorption and emission and larger surface-to-volume (S/V) ratio. Due to their larger S/V ratio, the clusters tend to have more surface defects that require more effective passivation for stability.

Conclusion

Recent study of novel clusters has led to better understanding of their properties. The sharper optical bands of clusters indicate relatively narrow or single size distribution, which, in conjunction with their blue absorption and emission, makes them potentially attractive for applications in fields such as blue single photon emission.     

Reduced zirconium halide clusters in aqueous solution

Reduced hexazirconium halide cluster compounds have good solubility and stability in strongly acidic and/or halide-rich aqueous solutions. Cyclic voltammetric (CV) measurements in aqueous media established that [(Zr6BCl12)(H2O)6]2+/+ and [(Zr6BBr12)(H2O)6]2+/+ exhibited positive half-wave potentials (E1/2 = 0.059V and 0.160 V, respectively) vs the SHE, indicating that these clusters are only modestly reducing. Several new crystalline cluster compounds have been isolated from cold 12 M HCl solutions; the structures of each contain extended hydrogen-bonding water networks. Crystallographic data for these compounds are reported as follows: [Rb0.44(H3O)4.56][(Zr6BCl12)Cl6].19.44H2O (3), cubic, Im3m, a = 13.8962(3) A, Z = 2; (H3O)5[(Zr6BeCl12)Cl6].19H2O (4), cubic, Im3m, a = 13.8956(4) A, Z = 2; (H3O)5[(Zr6MnCl12)Cl6].19H2O (5), cubic, Im3m, a = 14.029(3) A, Z = 2; (H3O)4[(Zr6BCl12)Cl6].12.97H2O (6), tetragonal, P4(2)/mnm, a = 11.5373(2) A, c = 15.7169(4) A, Z = 2; (H3O)4[(Zr6BCl2)Br6].13.13H2O (7), tetragonal, P4(2)/mnm, a = 11.7288(6) A, c = 15.931(1) A, Z = 2.     

Solvent effects and hydration of a tripeptide in sodium halide aqueous solutions: an in silico study

In this work we are trying to gain insight into the mechanisms of ion-protein interactions in aqueous media at the molecular scale through fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. We present a systematic molecular simulation study of interactions of sodium and halide ions with a trialanine peptide in aqueous sodium halide solutions with different salts concentrations (0.20, 0.50, 1.0 and 2.0 M). Each simulation covers more than fifty nanoseconds to ensure the convergence of the results and to enable a proper determination of the tripeptide-ion interactions through the potentials of mean force. Changes in ion densities in the vicinity of different peptide groups are analysed and implications for the tripeptide conformations are discussed.     

Structure-directing influence of halide in mercury thiolate clusters

Under identical conditions, the reaction of 2-aminoethanethiol hydrochloride with HgX(2) (X = Cl and Br) in water yielded discrete hexanuclear [Hg(6)Cl(8)(SCH(2)CH(2)NH(3))(8))]Cl(4).4H(2)O (1) and nonanuclear [Hg(9)Br(15)(SCH(2)CH(2)NH(3))(9)](Cl(0.8)Br(0.2))(3) (2) complexes with unusual coordination environments. Compound 1 crystallizes as triclinic with a = 9.434(2) Angstroms, b = 10.999(2) Angstroms, c = 13.675(7) Angstroms, alpha = 92.9(7) degrees, beta = 105.2(7) degrees, and gamma = 96.9(7) degrees, whereas 2 is monoclinic with a = 14.162(3) Angstroms, b = 8.009(16) Angstroms, c = 19.604(4) Angstroms, alpha = gamma = 90.0 degrees, and beta = 92.7(3) degrees. In both cases, it is observed that the halide creates the secondary structure around trinuclear units (dimer in 1 and trimer in 2) through Hg-X bonding. Two independent types of Hg atoms (four- and five-coordinate in 1) and (three- and four-coordinate in 2) are observed. The geometry around Hg is quite variable with bridging thiolate and both bridging and terminal halides. The angles around Hg associated with the S atoms are more obtuse than expected from mercury(II) thiolates with a coordination number of more than 2. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding involving NH(3)(+), water molecules, and the halide atoms is responsible for the three-dimensional network in both compounds. Relatively short Hg...Hg interactions in 1 (3.797 and 3.776 Angstroms) and in 2 (3.605 and 3.750 Angstroms) are also observed. The compounds have been characterized with the help of (1)H and (13)C NMR, UV-Vis, infrared, Raman, and mass spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, and single X-ray crystallography.     

On the stability of glycine-water clusters with excess electron: implications for photoelectron spectroscopy

Calculations are presented for the glycine-(H(2)O)(n) (-) (n=0-2) anionic clusters with excess electron, with the glycine core in the canonical or zwitterion form. A variety of conformers are predicted, and their relative energy is examined to estimate thermodynamic stability. The dynamic (proton transfer) pathways between the anionic clusters with the canonical and the zwitterion glycine core are examined. Small barrier heights for isomerization from the zwitterion glycine-(H(2)O)(2) (-) anion to those with canonical glycine core suggest that the former conformers may be kinetically unstable and unfavorable for detection of neutral glycine zwitterion-(H(2)O)(n) (n=1,2) clusters by photodetachment, in accordance with the photoelectron spectroscopic experiments by Bowen and co-workers [Xu et al., J. Chem. Phys. 119, 10696 (2003)]. The calculated stability of the glycine-(H(2)O)(n) (-) anion clusters with canonical glycine core relative to those with zwitterion core indicates that the observation of the anionic conformers with the canonical glycine core would be much more feasible, as revealed by Johnson and co-workers [Diken et al. J. Chem. Phys. 120, 9902 (2004)].     

Ion mobility measurements of metal halide clusters

The failure of standard solid state methods to determine the structure of very small clusters has been the starting point to adapt the ion chromatography technique to cluster experiments. A new approach combining an ion drift cell and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer for cluster ion mobility measurements is described. In this publication we concentrate on the experimental set-up and the data analysis starting with the time-of-flight mass spectra. Furthermore, first results concerning relative ion mobilities for cesium iodide and sodium iodide clusters will be shown to demonstrate the feasibility of the new tandem instrument.     

Effective mass of an excess electron in fluids with high polarizability

The effective mass of an excess electron injected into a dense non-polar fluid with high polarizability is considered. The pseudopotential theory of electron interaction with a cellular fluid is used. Phase shifts of the p-scattering of an electron in a fluid are calculated. The Bardeen formula is used for the effective mass calculation. The density dependence of the effective mass in fluid xenon is compared with experimental data.     

Chemical bonding and aromaticity in trinuclear transition-metal halide clusters

Trinuclear transition-metal complexes such as Re(3)X(9) (X = Cl, Br, I), with their uniquely featured structure among metal halides, have posed intriguing questions related to multicenter electron delocalization for several decades. Here we report a comprehensive study of the technetium halide clusters [Tc(3)(μ-X)(3)X(6)](0/1-/2-) (X = F, Cl, Br, I), isomorphous with their rhenium congeners, predicted from density functional theory calculations. The chemical bonding and aromaticity in these clusters are analyzed using the recently developed adaptive natural density partitioning method, which indicates that only [Tc(3)X(9)](2-) clusters exhibit aromatic character, stemming from a d-orbital-based π bond delocalized over the three metal centers. We also show that standard methods founded on the nucleus-independent chemical shift concept incorrectly predict the neutral Tc(3)X(9) clusters to be aromatic.     

Facile halide replacement in electron rich complexes

Reactions of MnL₅X or Mn(CO)L₄X compounds (L = several aryl isocyanides, X = halide) with AgPF₆ give [MnL₆]PF₆ or [Mn(CO)L₅]PF₆ respectively. These reactions are presumed to occur with initial halide extraction to give an intermediate solvated species [MnL₅solv]⁺ or [Mn(CO)L₄solv]⁺ which can subsequently decompose or scavenge free L from solution to give the products observed. Addition of an alternative potential ligand L′ allows preparation of mixed ligand species [MnL₅L′]PF₆ or [Mn(CO)L₄L'‵PF₆ (L = MeNC, ^tBuNC, py). Cyclic voltammetric studies on the various complexes have been carried out, and results correlated with infrared data and with theory.     

Ab-initio study of optical response properties of nonstoichiometric lithium-hydride and sodium-fluoride clusters with one- and two-excess electrons

Structural and optical response properties of Li _n H _n-m and Na_nF _n-m (n = 2-6, m = 1, 2) clusters containing one- and two-excess electrons are studied using ab-initio methods accounting for electron correlation. The common feature of the optical response obtained for the most stable structures of Na_nF _n-1 (n = 2-6) clusters is the appearance of a dominant intense transition in the infrared regime independently whether the single excess electron is localized at the cuboid corner vacancy (surface F-center) or at the external atom attached to the filled cuboid. In contrast, Li_nH _n-1 (n = 2-6) clusters exhibit substantially different spectroscopic patterns with respect to halides also for the cases with the common structural properties. Optical response features of Li_nH _n-2 (n = 3-6) clusters with two-excess electrons are characterized by dominant transitions in the visible regime reflecting segregation in “metallic” and ionic parts. In contrast, Na_nF _n-2 = 3-6) can be divided according to their optical and structural properties into cuboid “lattice” defect species (Na₄F _n , Na _n F₄) and segregated metallic-ionic systems. For the former, the intense transitions occur in the infrared-visible, and for the latter only in the visible regime. It will be shown that the calculated absorption patterns are excellent fingerprints of structural and bonding properties.