Energy level alignment at interfaces between 3-(4-biphenylyl)-4-phenyl-5-(4-tert-butyl phenyl)-1, 2, 4-triazole (TAZ) and metals (Ca,Mg, Ag,and Au): experiment and theory

We have performed ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy measurements and density functional theory calculations to study the electronic structure at the interface between organic semiconductor (3-(4-biphenylyl)-4-phenyl-5-(4-tert-butyl phenyl)-1,2,4-triazole (TAZ)) and metals (Ca, Mg, Ag, and Au). The basic mechanism of interface states at organic–metal interfaces can be understood by controlling the injection of charge carriers at these interfaces. The position of highest occupied molecular orbital relative to the Fermi level and the magnitude of the interface dipole are measured for each organic–metal interface. For TAZ on Ca, Mg, and Ag, interface states are observed near the Fermi level. However, no interface state is observed for TAZ on Au. It is analyzed qualitatively that the interface state is formed due to interaction of TAZ lowest unoccupied molecular orbital composed of C2p and metal s levels. It is suggested that the interface state plays an important role in charge transport at the interface. The mechanism of formation of interface states and electrical properties are discussed.     

A high-resolution photoemission study of nanoscale aluminum oxide films on NiAl(110)

Using high-resolution soft X-ray photoemission, Al 2p, we have been able to quantify the relative populations of tetrahedrally (Al(tet)) and octahedrally (Al(oct)) coordinated Al(3+) in three distinct phases of nanoscale aluminum oxide films on NiAl(110). We have hence determined the bulk alumina phases that the nanoscale films most resemble. Adsorption of oxygen at room temperature produces a layer which predominately (90%) contains Al(tet) and is analogous to the amorphous bulk phase of alumina. Annealing this layer results in an Al enrichment of the oxide layer, through the diffusion of metal from the substrate, and an increase in the relative amount of Al(oct), producing a gamma-alumina-like layer with a relative Al(oct)/Al(tet) occupancy of 28 +/- 3%/72 +/- 3%. Oxygen adsorption at 823 K also produces a gamma-like phase, with a relative Al(oct)/Al(tet) occupancy of 27 +/- 3%/73 +/- 3%, although this layer is thicker than that formed at room temperature. Both oxidation methods produce gamma-alumina layers that display poor translational order. However, these poorly ordered layers have a relative Al(oct)/Al(tet) occupation similar to that of well-ordered oxide films produced using different oxidation conditions in previous studies. Both gamma layers undergo partial decomposition upon annealing to 1273 K, producing an alpha-alumina-like oxide, which contains only Al(oct), and is highly deficient in Al. There are significant oxide-free areas within the alpha-alumina oxide layer, which is characteristic of crystallite formation. Repeated cycles of oxidation and annealing to 1273 K do not produce a homogeneous film, but they do make the alpha-like oxide more Al rich.     

Metal-oxide interfacial reactions: encapsulation of Pd on TiO2 (110)

The model system Pd/TiO2 (110) was used to evaluate the correlation between metal encapsulation and electronic structure of TiO2 crystals. We observed encapsulation of Pd clusters supported on TiO2 crystals, which were heavily Ar+ sputtered, Nb-doped, or reduced by vacuum annealing. In contrast, encapsulation was not observed on unreduced, undoped, or slightly sputtered TiO2 crystals. Our results indicate a strong dependence of the encapsulation process on the electron density in the conduction band of TiO2 and on the space charge formed at Pd/TiO2 interfaces. This behavior is controlled by the initial position of the Fermi energy level (EF) of the metal and the oxide before contact is established. We proved that encapsulation reactions are favored by n-type doping of the oxide and a large work function of the metal. On the basis of this mechanism, we conclude on general trends controlling encapsulation reactions of oxide-supported metal clusters and the strong metal-support interaction (SMSI).     

Modulation of surface reactivity via electron confinement in metal quantum well films: O2 adsorption on PbSi(111)

Pb quantum well films with atomic-scale uniformity in thickness over macroscopic areas were prepared on Si(111)-7x7 surfaces. As a probe molecule, O(2) was used to explore the effect of electron confinement in the metal films on the surface reactivity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed clear oscillations of oxygen adsorption and Pb oxidation with the thickness of the Pb films. The higher reactivity to O(2) on the films with 23 and 25 ML Pb has been attributed to their highest occupied quantum well states being close to the Fermi level (E(F)) and the high density of the electron states at E(F) (DOS-E(F)), as evidenced by the corresponding ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. A dominant role of DOS-E(F) was suggested to explain the quantum modulation of surface reactivity in metal quantum well films.     

Electronic Structure of Layered Oxides Containing M(2)O(7) (M = V, Nb) Double Octahedral Slabs

The electronic structure of M(2)O(7) double octahedral slabs with low d electron counts has been studied. It is shown that the nature of the low d-block bands is strongly dependent on the d electron count and the distortions of the layer. All d(1) systems are expected to be similar and to exhibit Fermi surfaces which result from the superposition of both one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) contributions. For lower d electron counts the electronic structure is quite sensitive to the existence of M-O bond alternations perpendicular to the layer and off-plane distortions of the equatorial O atoms. The Fermi surface of these systems can either be purely 2D or have 1D and 2D portions like those of the d(1) systems. It is suggested that the recently reported phase Rb(2)LaNb(2)O(7) could be a 2D metal. It is also proposed that chemical reduction of the A'[A(n)()(-)(1)Nb(n)()O(3)(n)()(+1)] Dion-Jacobson phases with n = 3 could lead to metallic conductivity, in contrast with the results for the n = 2 phases.     

Cope elimination and complexation of poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate N-oxide)

Poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate N-oxide) (poly(DMAEMNO)) was prepared by oxidation of poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) with hydrogen peroxide in methanol. From thermogravimetric and IR spectroscopic investigations Cope elimination of amine oxide group in poly(DMAENO) was found to occur at 120–150°C. The postpolymerization of partially pyrolyzed polymer carrying vinyl ester group as pendant was performed with azobisisobutyronitrile at 60°C in methanol to give cross-linked polymer that was found to form hydrogel. Poly(DMAEMNO) gave metal–polymer complexes with CuCl₂, ZnCl₂, and CoCl₂. Cobalt–polymer complex had a constitution of 1:2 of metal ion to amine oxide group, while copper– and zinc–polymer complexes seemed to have structures of 1:1 and 1:2 of metal ion to amine oxide group. Furthermore, polymer complexes of poly(DMAEMNO) with poly(methacrylic acid) and poly(acrylic acid) were found to be formed by mixing aqueous solutions of both polymers and also by radical polymerization of the acid monomers in the presence of poly(DMAEMNO). From elemental analysis, thermogravimetric investigation, and measurement of turbidity it was concluded that the resulting polymer–polymer complexes contained more than one acid monomer unit per one N-oxide unit.     

Identifying the general trend of activity of non-stoichiometric metal oxide phases for CO oxidation on Pd(111)

Oxidation state changes under reaction conditions are very common in heterogeneous catalysis. However, due to the limitation of experiment and computational methods, the relation between oxidation state and catalytic activity is not clear. Herein, we obtain the most stable structures of palladium oxide films with different oxidation states on palladium metal surfaces using density functional theory calculations and a state-of-the-art optimization method, namely the particle swarm optimization. These structures clearly show the process of palladium oxide film formation on metallic surfaces. Using CO oxidation as a model reaction, we find that the activities increase first and then decrease with the increase of oxidation states, peaking at Pd_4O_3. Our findings offer an understanding of the phase transformation and the activity of non-stoichiometric phases.     

Exponential sensitivity and speciation of Al(III), Sc(III), Y(III), La(III), and Gd(III) at fused silica/water interfaces

The binding contants, adsorption free energies, absolute adsorbate number densities, and interfacial charge densities of Al(III), Sc(III), Y(III), La(III), and Gd(III) interacting with fused silica/water interfaces held at pH 4 were determined using second harmonic generation and the Eisenthal χ((3)) technique. By examining the relationship between the measured adsorption free energies and the electric double layer interfacial potential at multiple electrolyte concentrations, we elucidate the charge state and possible binding pathways for each ion at the fused silica surface. Al(III) and Sc(III) ions are found to bind to the fused silica surface as fully hydrated trivalent species in a bidentate geometry. In contrast, the Y(III), La(III), and Gd(III) ions are each shown to adsorb to the silica surface in a decreased charge state, but the extent and mode of binding varies with each ion. By quantifying the exponential sensitivity of the surface coverage of the adsorbed ions to their charge state directly at the fused silica/water interface, we provide benchmarks for theory calculations describing the interactions of metal ions with oxide interfaces in geochemistry and hope to improve the prediction of trivalent metal ion transport through groundwater environments.     

Structure sensitivity of Fe(II) oxidation on palladium and platinum catalysts

The oxidation of ferrous sulfate with dioxygen, an example of an inorganic redox process in aqueous phase, has been studied on a number of carbon-supported Pd and Pt catalysts, both freshly reduced and kept for a long time after contacting with air. In the whole range of metal dispersities studied (0.10–0.75, as determined by CO chemisorption) a several-fold gradual loss of intrinsic activity has been found when increasing the dispersity. Such a decrease appeared sufficient to present volcanotype plots for the corresponding activities on a per-gram basis. It has been concluded that the metal particle size and oxidation state of the metallic surface are two independently acting factors which affect the intrinsic rate.     

XPS study of the oxidation of nanosize Ni/Si(100) films

The XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) study of nickel oxide nanolayers obtained by magnetron sputtering of the metal and its subsequent oxidation in air at different temperatures (400°C and 1000°C) was performed. Silicon(100) was used as a substrate. Surface of the initial Ni/Si structure was shown to contain not only Ni metal, but also the NiO oxide. Annealing at 400°C results in a complete oxidation of the metal film. At a high-temperature annealing (1000°C), nickel interacts both with oxygen and silicon substrate to form NiSi silicide and a composite Ni-Si-O phase in transition layer. Electronconductivity of NiO films is determined by intercrystallite barriers. Activation energies of film electroconductivity in model gases (O₂, Ar, H₂) were found.     

Carbon Monoxide Oxidation on Metal‐Supported Monolayer Oxide Films: Establishing Which Interface is Active

Ultrathin (monolayer) films of transition metal oxides grown on metal substrates have recently received considerable attention as promising catalytic materials, in particular for low‐temperature CO oxidation. The reaction rate on such systems often increases when the film only partially covers the support, and the effect is commonly attributed to the formation of active sites at the metal/oxide boundary. By studying the structure and reactivity of FeO(111) films on Pt(111), it is shown that, independent of the film coverage, CO oxidation takes place at the interface between reduced and oxidized phases in the oxide film formed under reaction conditions. The promotional role of a metal support is to ease formation of the reduced phase by reaction between CO adsorbed on metal and oxygen at the oxide island edge.     

Removal of As(III) and As(V) by natural and synthetic metal oxides

The removal properties of As(III) and As(V) by the several metal oxides having different mineral type and content of metals were investigated in batch and column reactors. The used metal oxides were Fe-oxide loaded sand (ILS), Mn-oxide loaded sand (MLS), activated alumina (AA), sericite (SC) and iron sand (IS). From the pH-edge adsorption experiments with AA and ILS, maximum As(III) adsorption was observed around neutral pH while As(V) adsorption was followed an anionic-type behavior. Among five metal oxides, AA showed the greatest removal capacity for both As(III) and As(V) through adsoption process but it has little oxidation capacity for As(III). Eventhough IS had much greater content of Fe-oxides than ILS, it showed a relatively lower removal capacity for both As(III) and As(V). This result suggests that adsorption of arsenic onto metal oxides is controlled by not only the contents of Fe-oxides but also mineral type of Fe-oxides. Column tests were performed at different combinations of metal oxides in a column reactor to find the best column system, which effectively treat both As(III) and As(V) at the same time. Among several combinations, the column reactors packed with MLS-AA and MLS-ILS showed a near complete oxidation of As(III) by MLS for a long time and the greatest adsorption of total arsenic compared to the column reactor packed with MLS-IS.     

CO oxidation on inverse CeO(x)/Cu(111) catalysts: high catalytic activity and ceria-promoted dissociation of O2

A Cu(111) surface displays a low activity for the oxidation of carbon monoxide (2CO + O(2) → 2CO(2)). Depending on the temperature, background pressure of O(2), and the exposure time, one can get chemisorbed O on Cu(111) or a layer of Cu(2)O that may be deficient in oxygen. The addition of ceria nanoparticles (NPs) to Cu(111) substantially enhances interactions with the O(2) molecule and facilitates the oxidation of the copper substrate. In images of scanning tunneling microscopy, ceria NPs exhibit two overlapping honeycomb-type moire? structures, with the larger ones (H(1)) having a periodicity of 4.2 nm and the smaller ones (H(2)) having a periodicity of 1.20 nm. After annealing CeO(2)/Cu(111) in O(2) at elevated temperatures (600-700 K), a new phase of a Cu(2)O(1+x) surface oxide appears and propagates from the ceria NPs. The ceria is not only active for O(2) dissociation, but provides a much faster channel for oxidation than the step edges of Cu(111). Exposure to CO at 550-750 K led to a partial reduction of the ceria NPs and the removal of the copper oxide layer. The CeO(x)/Cu(111) systems have activities for the 2CO + O(2) → 2CO(2) reaction that are comparable or larger than those reported for surfaces of expensive noble metals such as Rh(111), Pd(110), and Pt(100). Density-functional calculations show that the supported ceria NPs are able to catalyze the oxidation of CO due to their special electronic and chemical properties. The configuration of the inverse oxide/metal catalyst opens new interesting routes for applications in catalysis.     

Electronic Oxide–Metal Strong Interaction (EOMSI)

Strong metal–support interaction of supported metal catalysts is an important concept to describe the effect of metal–support interactions on the structures and catalytic performances of supported metal particles. By using an example of CeO_x adlayers supported on Ag nanocrystals, herein a concept of electronic oxide–metal strong interaction (EOMSI) is put forward; this interaction significantly affects the electronic structures of oxide adlayers through metal-to-oxide charge transfer. The EOMSI can stabilize oxide adlayers in a low oxidation state under ambient conditions, which individually are not stable; moreover, the oxide adlayers experiencing the EOMSI are resistant to high-temperature oxidation in air to a certain extent. Such an EOMSI concept helps to generalize the strong influence of oxide–metal interactions on the structures and catalytic performance of oxide/metal inverse catalysts, which have been attracting increasing attention.     

Suppression of field emission from W(110) and W(111) by Cu overlayers

The total energy distribution and the Fowler-Nordheim preexponential factor have been measured for field emission from the (100) and (111) facets of tungsten in the absence and in the presence of overlayers of chemisorbed copper. It is found that at close to monolayer coverage on the (100) facet the adsorbate dramatically reduces the surface density of states at the Fermi energy, whereas on the (111) facet the surface density of states at the Fermi energy is little affected. Self-consistent, semirelativistic LMTO calculations of the k-resolved layer densities of states at the centre of the surface Brillouin zone have been carried out for a tungsten-vacuum interface with and without an ordered overlayer of copper. According to the calculations, a copper monolayer on W(100) strongly suppresses the surface density of states at the Fermi energy, whereas for a copper monolayer on W(111) no such suppression is predicted. The consistency of these results with the experimental data indicates the promise of the present method for calculating the electronic structures of metal-vacuum interfaces.     

Vibrational Spectroscopy Study of Selenate and Sulfate Adsorption Mechanisms on Fe and Al (Hydr)oxide Surfaces

The coordination and speciation of selenate (SeO(4)) and sulfate (SO(4)) on goethite and Al oxide were studied using Raman and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Raman spectra were collected from pastes of suspensions containing 4 mM SeO(4) or SO(4). For SO(4), complementary data were collected by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy in goethite systems with 1 mM SO(4) and in Al oxide systems with 4 mM SO(4). The combined data set of Raman and ATR-FTIR spectra indicate that both inner- and outer-sphere surface complexes of SeO(4) and SO(4) occur on these metal (hydr)oxide surfaces. These spectral data show that SeO(4) and SO(4) have a similar complexation behavior on the same adsorbent. On goethite, these form predominantly monodentate inner-sphere surface complexes at pH <6, while at pH >6 these anions exist predominantly as outer-sphere surface complexes. On Al oxide, in contrast, these anions exist predominantly as outer-sphere surface complexes, but a small fraction is also present as an inner-sphere complex at pH <6. A comparison of the spectral intensities of these anions on goethite and Al oxide shows that complexation of these anions with Al oxide is weaker than with Fe oxide. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Photo-degradation and photo-stabilisation of the two-phase system poly(vinyl chloride)-polybutadiene

The photo-oxidative degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/polybutadiene (PB) blends has been studied. After uv irradiation, photo-grafting of the PVC and PB phases was observed. Photolysis of PVC accelerates cis-trans isomerisation of PB. Both phases, PVC and PB, are photo-degraded according to free radical oxidation mechanisms. The rates of these processes can be decreased by the addition of metal chelates, such as commercially produced Cyasorb uv light absorber 1084 (2,2′-thiobis(4-t-octylphenolato)-n-butylamine nickel(II)) and Cyasorb uv light absorber 2548 (cobalt dicyclohexyldithiophosphinate).     

Solid-state coordination chemistry: influences of (M(terpyridyl))(M = Fe(III), Cu(II), Ni(II)) subunits on molybdenum oxide structures

The hydrothermal reactions of Na2MoO4 x 2H2O and 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine with appropriate salts of Fe(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) yield a variety of mixed metal oxide phases. The Cu(II) system affords the molecular cluster [Cu(terpy)MoO4].3H2O (MOXI-40 x 3H2O), as well as a one-dimensional material [Cu(terpy)Mo2O7](MOXI-41) which is constructed from (Mo4O14)4- clusters linked through (Cu(terpy))2+ units. In constrast, the Zn(II) phase of stoichiometry identical to that of MOXI-41, [Zn(terpy)Mo2O7](MOXI-42), exhibits a one-dimensional structure characterized by a (Mo2O7)n2n- chain decorated with peripheral (Zn(terpy))2+ subunits. The iron species [(Fe(terpy))2Mo4O12](MOXI-43) is also one-dimensional but exhibits [(Fe(terpy))2(MoO4)2]2+ rings linked through (MoO4)2- tetrahedra. A persistent structural motif which appears in MOXI-40, MOXI-41, and MOXI-43 is the [(M(terpy))2(MoO4)2]n cluster with a cyclic )(M2Mo2O4) core. In general, the secondary metal sites M(II, III) are effective bridging groups between molybdate subunits of varying degrees of aggregation. Furthermore, the ligands passivate the bimetallic oxide from spatial extension in two or three dimensions and provide a routine entree into low-dimensional structural types of the molybdenum oxide family of materials.