Binding structures of propylene glycol stereoisomers on the Si(001)-2×1 surface: a combined scanning tunneling microscopy and theoretical study

The binding configuration of propylene glycol stereoisomer molecules adsorbed on the Si(001)-2×1 surface was investigated using a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory calculations. Propylene glycol was found to adsorb dissociatively via two hydroxyl groups exclusively as a bridge between the ends of two adjacent dimers along the dimer row. The chirality was preserved during bonding to Si atoms and was identifiable with STM imaging. The large number of propylene glycol conformers in the gas phase was reduced to a single configuration adsorbed on the surface at low molecular coverage.     

c(4 × 2) and related structural units on the SrTiO3(001) surface: scanning tunneling microscopy, density functional theory, and atomic structure

Density functional theory is used to simulate high-bias, constant-current scanning tunneling micrographs for direct comparison with experimental images. Coupled to previous spectroscopic data, these simulations are used to determine the atomic structure of Ti-rich nanostructures on strontium titanate (001) surfaces. These nanostructures have three consecutive TiO(x) surface layers and exploit the distinctive structural motif of the c(4 × 2) reconstruction as their main building block. A structural model of a characteristic triline defect is also proposed.     

Atomic imaging of atomic layer deposition oxide nucleation with trimethylaluminum on As-rich InGaAs(001) 2 × 4 vs Ga/In-rich InGaAs(001) 4 × 2

Formation of a contaminant free, flat, electrically passive interface to a gate oxide such as a-Al(2)O(3) is the critical step in fabricating III-V metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors; while the bulk oxide is amorphous, the interface may need to be ordered to prevent electrical defect formation. A two temperature in situ cleaning process is shown to produce a clean, flat group III or group V rich InGaAs surface. The dependence of initial surface reconstruction and dosing temperature of the seeding of aluminum with trimethylaluminum dosing is observed to produce an ordered unpinned passivation layer on InGaAs(001)-(4 × 2) surface at sample temperatures below 190 °C. Conversely, the InGaAs(001)-(2 × 4) surface is shown to generate an unpinned passivation layer with a seeding temperature up to 280 °C. For both reconstructions, the chemical drive force is consistent with formation of As-Al-As bonds. The optimal seed layer protects the surface from background contamination.     

Theoretical analysis of initial adsorption of high-κ metal oxides on In(x)Ga(1-x)As(0 0 1)-(4×2) surfaces

Ordered, low coverage to monolayer, high-κ oxide adsorption on group III rich InAs(0 0 1)-(4×2) and In(0.53)Ga(0.47)As(0 0 1)-(4×2) was modeled via density functional theory (DFT). Initial adsorption of HfO(2) and ZrO(2) was found to remove dangling bonds on the clean surface. At full monolayer coverage, the oxide-semiconductor bonds restore the substrate surface atoms to a more bulklike bonding structure via covalent bonding, with the potential for an unpinned interface. DFT models of ordered HfO(2)/In(0.53)Ga(0.47)As(0 0 1)-(4×2) show it fully unpins the Fermi level.     

Scanning electron microscopy studies on surfaces from electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry—III. The lanthanum modifier and the determination of phosphorus

Morphological studies on graphite surfaces by scanning electron microscopy are presented for platforms made from pyrolytic graphite, and for polycrystalline electrographite tubes with pyrolytic graphite coating in which phosphorus was determined without and with the addition of higher concentrations of lanthanum as the modifier. Lanthanum causes severe pitting and corrosion of the graphite surface already after relatively few determinations, and definite indication was found for the formation of intercalation compounds between lanthanum and graphite. No sign was found, however, for the formation of a dense coating of lanthanum carbide as proposed by several authors. The mechanism for the increase of phosphorus sensitivity is most probably the formation of a thermally stable compound involving lanthanum and phosphorus which leads to vaporization of phosphorus at high enough temperatures to obtain sufficient atomization and useful analytical signals. This is supported by the morphological changes of the graphite surface observed after application of higher lanthanum concentrations, and the resulting increased number of active carbon sites. Phosphorus alone also causes substantial corrosion of graphite, but with a completely different pattern. A very pronounced secondary coating of tube and platform wall is observed in the absence of lanthanum which is most probably supported by the formation and decomposition of compounds between phosphorus and graphite.     

A DFT study on the interaction of Co with an anatase TiO2 (001)-(1×4) surface

The substitution/adsorption structures of Co on an anatase TiO2 (001)-(1×4) surface are investigated using the DFT/local density approximation (LDA) method.Theoretical calculation shows that the Co ion prefers to be adsorbed on the surface of anatase TiO2.The density of states (DOS) analysis finds that the Co 3d is located mainly in the energy gap region.The Co 3d partial density of states (PDOS) indicates that there is a substantial degree of hybridization between O 2s and Co 3d in valence band (VB) regions in the substitution models.The conclusion is that the mode of substitution is more active when the catalyst is a higher-energy surface.     

Scanning tunnelling microscopy study of a columnar metallomesogen: bis(β-diketonato)palladium(II) complexes on graphite

Scanning tunnelling microscopy is used to analyse the structure of the columnar metallomesogen bis[1-(3′,4′,5′-trioctyloxyphenyl)-3-(4′-octyloxphenyl)prop [Pd(II)BPOC8], on the basal plane of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. It is observed with near molecular level resolution that adsorbed molecules form a regular two-dimensional (2D) arrangement on the surface. The intermolecular spacing in the 2D crystallization is significantly shorter than in the intercolumnar mesophase, indicating that the alkyl chains of adjacent molecules interdigitate. Change in the carbon length of alkyl side chain groups results in a change in molecular periodicity in the 2D crystal. Models for the unit cell are proposed based on computer simulation.     

The electronic structure of Bi2−xGdxRu2O7 and RuO2: A study by electron spectroscopy

The bismuth gadolinium pyrochlore ruthenates Bi_2−xGd_xRu₂O₇ have been studied in relation to RuO₂ by the techniques of X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS) and high-resolution electron-energy-loss spectroscopy (HREELS). The composition-dependent metal-to-semiconductor transition in the pyrochlore system is mirrored by the progressive decrease with composition parameter in (i) the density of electronic states at the Fermi energy in UPS, (ii) the plasmon frequency in HREELS, and (iii) the probability of screening a Ru : 3d core hole in XPS. These changes are too gradual in themselves to pinpoint the transition, but are generally consistent with transport and X-ray diffraction data that indicate a metal-to-nonmetal transition at x = 1.55 mediated by an interplay between disorder and correlation-induced electron localization. Comparison of the results for the pyrochlores with those from RuO₂ suggest that the fine structure in the Ru : 3d spectrum of the latter material, previously believed to arise from differing oxidation states at the surface, should in fact be attributed to final-state screening effects in a stoichiometric material. Our conclusion is confirmed by the signals associated with Ru : 4d electrons in XPS, UPS, and HREELS: each of these three techniques appears to probe a conduction-electron concentration essentially equal to its bulk value. In particular, UPS confirms details of the band structure of RuO₂ not obvious from previous photoemission experiments.     

H atom adsorption and diffusion on Si(110)-(1×1) and (2×1) surfaces

We present a periodic density-functional study of hydrogen adsorption and diffusion on the Si(110)-(1×1) and (2×1) surfaces, and identify a local reconstruction that stabilizes the clean Si(110)-(1×1) by 0.51 eV. Hydrogen saturates the dangling bonds of surface Si atoms on both reconstructions and the different structures can be identified from their simulated scanning tunneling microscopy/current image tunneling spectroscopy (STM/CITS) images. Hydrogen diffusion on both reconstructions will proceed preferentially along zigzag rows, in between two adjacent rows. The mobility of the hydrogen atom is higher on the (2×1) reconstruction. Diffusion of a hydrogen vacancy on a monohydride Si(110) surface will proceed along one zigzag row and is slightly more difficult (0.2 eV and 0.6 eV on (1×1) and (2×1), respectively) than hydrogen atom diffusion on the clean surface.     

Stranski-Krastanov growth of para-sexiphenyl on Cu(110)-(2×1)O revealed by optical spectroscopy

We have studied the growth of para-sexiphenyl (p-6P) on the Cu(110)-(2×1)O surface using reflectance difference spectroscopy (RDS) in combination with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The evolution of the optical anisotropy reveals that the growth of p-6P on the Cu(110)-(2×1)O surface at room temperature follows the Stranski-Krastanov growth mode with a two monolayer thick wetting layer. During all stages of growth, the p-6P molecules are well orientated with their long molecular axis aligned parallel to the Cu-O rows along the [001] direction of the Cu(110) substrate. The high packing density of the p-6P molecules in the first and second monolayer evidenced by RDS and STM is believed to be responsible for the switch from layer-by-layer to three-dimensional island growth.     

Comparison of the crystal structures of Co2(X 2O7)·2H2O,X=P and As

Summary Crystals of Co₂(X ₂O₇)·2H₂O,X=P/As were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Their crystal structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction:a=6.334(1)/6.531(2),b=13.997(2)/14.206(4),c=7.637(1)/7.615(2)Å, =94.77(2)/94.74(2)°, space group P2₁/n,R=0.032/0.046,R _w=0.028/0.034 for 2423/2042 reflections and 131/119 variables. Within the twoXO₄ tetrahedra connected via a common corner to anX ₂O₇ group the average P-O bond lengths are approximately equal (1.540 and 1.543 Å), but As-O differs significantly (1.685 and 1.696 Å). A comparison with the isotypic Mn and Mg pyrophosphates shows a correlation between the ratio Me-O/X-O and the angle O-X-O.

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Vergleich der Kristallstrukturen von Co₂(X ₂O₇)·2H₂O,X=P und As

Zusammenfassung Kristalle von Co₂(X ₂O₇)·2H₂O,X=P/As wurden unter Hydrothermalbedingungen synthetisiert. Ihre Kristallstrukturen wurden mittels Röntgenbeugung an Einkristallen bestimmt:a=6.334(1)/6.531(2),b=13.997(2)/14.206(4),c=7.637(1)/7.615(2) Å, =94.77(2)/97.74(2)°, Raumgruppe P2₁/n,R=0.032/0.046,R _w=0.028/0.034 für 2423/2042 Reflexe und 131/119 Variable. In den beiden über eine gemeinsame Ecke zuX ₂O₇-Gruppen verknüpftenXO₄-Tetraedern sind die mittleren P-O-Abstände ungefähr gleich (1.540 und 1.543 Å), hingegen differiert As-O signifikant (1.685 und 1.696 Å). Ein Vergleich mit den isotypen Mn- und Mg-Pyrophosphaten zeigt eine Korrelation zwischen dem Quotienten Me-O/X-O und dem WinkelX-O-X.

     

Theoretical studies on structures and UV-Vis spectra of C_(70)O

Systematic studies on eight isomers of C70O were performed by means of INDO methods It has been indicated that the O atom is mainly added to the C1-C2 or C3-C3 bond and an epoxide feature with C1 symmetry is formed.Based on the optimized geometries,the UV-Vis spectra were calculated.It has been found that the main peaks of C70O resemble those of C70 and the characteristic absorptions beyond 460 nm are produced,which is m agree ment with the experimental results.Theoretical assignments about the absorptions were carried out and the reason for the red-shift of the absorptions was discussed.C70O is probably composed of four isomers according to the calculated results.     

Theoretical study on the structures and properties of (Br2AlN3) n (n = 1–4) clusters

To look for the single-source precursors, the structures and properties of (Br₂AlN₃) _n (n = 1–4) clusters are studied at the B3LYP/6-311+G* level. The optimized (Br₂AlN₃) _n (n = 2–4) clusters all possess cyclic structures containing Al-N_α-Al linkages. The relationships between the geometrical parameters and the oligomerization degree n are discussed. The gas-phase structures of the trimers prefer to exist in the boat-twisting conformation. As for the tetramer, the most stable isomers have the S ₄ symmetry structure. The IR spectra are obtained and assigned by the vibrational analysis. The thermodynamic properties are linearly related with the oligomerization degree n as well as with the temperature. Meanwhile, the thermodynamic analysis of the gas-phase reaction suggests that the oligomerization be exothermic and favorable under high temperature.     

Nature of the binding of a c(2×2)-CO overlayer on Ag(001) and surface mediated intermolecular coupling

We present a first-principles study of the nature of the binding of a c(2×2)-CO overlayer on Ag(001) and of the origin of CO-CO interactions upon adsorption. Electronic structural changes induced by molecular adsorption provide an interpretation for earlier X-ray photoemission valence band spectra of CO/Ag(001). Our results establish that CO chemisorbs on clean Ag(001) and follows the Blyholder model of donation and back-donation between CO and metal orbitals. We analyze the origin of the dispersion of the C-O stretch mode and attest that it is caused by the metal-CO coupling. Specifically, the coupling of CO to Ag, although the weakest of those between it and transition and other noble metals, greatly enhances the intermolecular force constants. We also find that the response of the charge density around CO is much stronger and of longer range when the molecule stretches than when it rigidly vibrates against the surface. This difference explains why the C-O stretch mode disperses while the Ag-CO stretch mode does not.     

Synthesis and X-ray diffraction study of K4[(UO2)2(C2O4)3(NCS)2] · 4H2O

Single crystals of K₄[(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₃(NCS)₂] · 4H₂O(I) have been synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic with the unit cell parameters a = 8.0226(7) Å, b = 14.9493(11) Å, c = 11.1670(9) Å, β = 98.299(3)°, space group P2₁/n, Z = 2, V = 1325.26(19) ų, R = 0.0186. The main structural units of the crystals of structure I are discrete binuclear groups [(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₃(NCS)₂]^4? belonging to the crystal-chemical group A₂K⁰²B ₂ ⁰¹ M ₂ ¹ (A =UO ₂ ²⁺ , K⁰² =C₂O ₄ ^2? , B⁰¹ =C₂O ₄ ^2? , M¹ = NCS^?) of the uranyl complexes. The uranium-containing complexes are linked into a three-dimensional framework through the potassium ions and a system of hydrogen bonds involving the outer-sphere water molecules.     

DTA-TG and XRD study on the reaction between ZrOCl2·8H2O and (NH4)2HPO4 for synthesis of ZrP2O7

In this paper, we report results of thermoanalytical investigation on the reaction between ZrOCl₂·8H₂O and (NH₄)₂HPO₄ in molar ratio 1:2. Differential thermal-thermogravimetric and X-ray diffraction analyses were performed in order to reveal the chemical transformations, which took place during heating of the individual compounds ZrOCl₂·8H₂O, (NH₄)₂HPO₄ and the mixture ZrOCl₂·8H₂O:2(NH₄)₂HPO₄. It was shown that the transformations in the mixture below 160 °C were connected with dehydration of ZrOCl₂·8H₂O and interaction between the components of the mixture, which resulted in the formation of NH₄Cl, NH₄H₂PO₄ and a mainly amorphous zirconium phase, most likely t-ZrO₂. The zirconium component subsequently reacted with ammonium dihydrophosphate (below 200 °C) or with dehydrated phosphate derivatives (above 200 °C), which in both cases yielded an amorphous product. The interaction between the components of the mixture resulting in the formation of ZrP₂O₇ was completed by its crystallisation at 610 °C. Our study indicates an alternative low-temperature approach for the synthesis of the technologically important ZrP₂O₇ material.     

Oxidation of Anatase TiO2(001) (1×4) Surface

Anatase TiO₂(001) surface arouses lots of research interests since it is believed to be the most reactive surface. However, recent STM measurements showed that except the defect sites, anatase TiO₂(001) (1×4) reconstructed surface is inert to H₂O adsorption. It was indicated that oxidation could be the reason which induces the inert surface reactivity. Therefore, it is strongly motivated to understand the oxidation structures as well as the oxidation process on this surface. In this work, based on first principles calculations, we investigated the oxidized structures and processes of TiO₂ anatase (001) surface with (1×4) reconstruction. We have discovered two kinds of oxidized structures through the molecular adsorption and dissociated adsorption with different oxidation ratio. To understand the oxidation process, we studied the reaction barrier of oxidation process. We conclude the stability of different oxidized structures with different oxidation ratio by comparing the free energy of the system as a function of oxygen chemical potential. Based on that, a first-principles-based phase diagram of the low-energy oxidized surface structures is provided. The effects of the lattice stress are also studied. Results show that the oxidized structure and oxidation ratio strongly depend on the temperature and pressure. The lattice stress also plays an important role.     

High resolution photoemission and x-ray absorption spectroscopy of a lepidocrocite-like TiO2 nanosheet on Pt(110) (1 × 2)

The electronic structure of TiO(2) nanosheets on the Pt(110)-(1 × 2) surface has been investigated by using high resolution photoemission spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The Ti 2p XAS spectra of the deposited TiO(2) films have been theoretically evaluated and, from the comparison with the experimental data, the assignment to a lepidocrocite-like structure is confirmed. Coexistence of TiO(2) islands with PtO(2) stripes for incomplete nanosheets is confirmed by high resolution photoemission data. The location of the valence and conduction band edges of the nanosheet has been experimentally determined allowing us to describe in details subtle electronic effects due to the interface with the substrate. The locations of the valence band maximum and the leading peak in the O 1s XAS spectrum indicate a band gap similar to anatase but with the Fermi level closer to mid-gap than found for bulk, n-type TiO(2).     

Structural and electronic properties of γ-Tl2Cu(SO4)2

The compound Tl₂Cu(SO₄)₂, belonging to the dehydrated copper Tutton salts [Cat₂Cu(SO₄)₂, where Cat stands for cation], and especially its glassy γ-modification was investigated. The results of X-ray diffraction analysis, electron paramagnetic resonance, differential thermal analysis, electrical conductivity, and thermostimulated depolarization measurements are presented and discussed. An evident correlation among the results of various experimental techniques was found.     

Density functional analysis of geometries and electronic structures of gold-phosphine clusters. The case of Au4(PR3)42+ and A(u4μ2-I)2(PR3)4

Geometries, ligand binding energies, electronic structure, and excitation spectra are determined for Au(4)(PR(3))(4)(2+) and Au(4)(μ(2)-I)(2)(PR(3))(4) clusters (R = PH(3), PMe(3), and PPh(3)). Density functionals including SVWN5, Xα, OPBE, LC-ωPBE, TPSS, PBE0, CAM-B3LYP, and SAOP are employed with basis sets ranging from LANL2DZ to SDD to TZVP. Metal--metal and metal--ligand bond distances are calculated and compared with experiment. The effect of changing the phosphine ligands is assessed for geometries and excitation spectra. Standard DFT and hybrid ONIOM calculations are employed for geometry optimizations with PPh(3) groups. The electronic structure of the gold--phosphine clusters examined in this work is analyzed in terms of cluster ("superatom") orbitals and d-band orbitals. Transitions out of the d band are significant in the excitation spectra. The use of different basis sets and DFT functionals leads to noticeable variations in the relative intensities of strong transitions, although the overall spectral profile remains qualitatively unchanged. The replacement of PMe(3) with PPh(3) changes the nature of the electronic transitions in the cluster due to low-lying π*-orbitals. To reproduce the experimental geometries of clusters with PPh(3) ligands, computationally less expensive PH(3) or PMe(3) ligands are sufficient for geometry optimizations. However, to predict cluster excitation spectra, the full PPh(3) ligand must be considered.