Formation mechanism of nanostructured Ag films from Ag2O particles using a sonoprocess

Nanostructured Ag films composed of nanoparticles and nanorods can be formed by the ultrasonication of ethanol solutions containing Ag₂O particles. The present work examined the formation process of these films from ethanol solutions by two different agitation methods, including ultrasonication and mechanical stirring. The mass-transfer process from Ag₂O particles to ethanol solvent is accelerated by the mechanical effects of ultrasound. Ag⁺ ions and intermediately reduced Ag clusters were released into the ethanol. These Ag⁺ ions and Ag clusters provide absorption bands at 210, 275 and 300 nm in UV-vis spectra. These bands were assigned to the absorption of Ag⁺, Ag ₄ ²⁺ and Ag_n (n?≈?3). The Ag_n clusters that readily grow to become Ag nanoparticles were formed due to the surface reaction of Ag₂O particles with ethanol under ultrasonication. The reactions of Ag⁺ ions in ethanol to form Ag nanomaterials (through the formation of Ag ₄ ²⁺ clusters) were also accelerated by ultrasonication.     

Developments in the theory of cationic polymerisation. Part IX some effects of the complex formation between cations and monomers

The formation of complexes P⁺_nM between a propagating carbenium ion P⁺_n and the monomer, M, is considered from several points of view - (i) Under the most usual conditions the formation of the P⁺_nM reduces the population of ion-pairs, P⁺_nA⁻, drastically. This can account for the frequently found nil-effect of common ion salts on the rate of attack of carbenium ions on alkenes in initiation, model reactions, and polymerisations. - (ii) The formation of P⁺_nM increases the degree of dissociation α of P⁺_nA⁻, so that all the estimates of α on which kinetic schemes have been based, are too low. - (iii) The very high polymerisation rates found for n-donor monomers, say 4-MeO-styrene or N-vinylcarbazole compared to styrene, may be attributable not, primarily, to a difference in rate-constants, but to a difference in ionic population. This is because the fast P⁺_nM is in greater excess over the slow P⁺_nA⁻ for more strongly complexing n-donors than for the π-donors. - (iv) Since the nature of the P⁺_nM is different for every monomer, a comparison of their propagation rate-constants k⁺_pM is hardly meaningful and valid comparisons can only be made between the k⁺_p of the P⁺_n. The measurement of these requires extreme conditions, either extrapolations to [P⁺_n] = 0 and [M] = 0, or the use of highly polar solvents in which neither M nor the anion can compete with the solvent for the solvation of the P⁺_n.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of Cation-Induced Guest Release from Cucurbit[7]uril

The release of two organic guests from cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) was selectively monitored by the stopped-flow method in aqueous solutions of inorganic salts to reveal the mechanistic picture in detail. Two contrasting mechanisms were identified: The symmetric dicationic 2,7-dimethyldiazapyrenium shows a cation-independent complex dissociation mechanism coupled to deceleration of the ingression in the presence of alkali and alkaline earth cations (Mⁿ⁺) due to competitive formation of CB7–Mⁿ⁺ complexes. A much richer, unprecedented kinetic behaviour was observed for the ingression and egression of the monocationic and non-symmetric berberine (B⁺). The formation of ternary complex B⁺–CB7–Mⁿ⁺ was unambiguously revealed. A difference of more than two orders of magnitude was found in the equilibrium constants of Mⁿ⁺ binding to B⁺–CB7 inclusion complex. Large cations, such as K⁺ and Ba²⁺, also promoted B⁺ expulsion from the ternary complex in a bimolecular process. This study reveals a previously hidden mechanistic picture and motivates systematic kinetic investigations of other host–guest systems.     

Molecular ionization-dissociation of fluoranthene at 266 nm: Energetic and dissociative pathways

Experimental studies have been carried out for nanosecond 266-nm laser-induced photoionization and dissociation of fluoranthene, C₁₆H₁₀ with pulse energies from 0.5 to 20 mJ using a time of flight mass spectrometer. The fragmentation patterns have been characterized and discussed with respect to the number of absorbed photons. They fall into three regimes. The first regime involves low energy processes, where the molecular parent ion promptly dissociates, resulting in the formation of Cm⁺Hn(m=11−15) by a process where up to two photons are absorbed. The second regime involves intermediate energy, where dissociative processes are activated by up to three-photon absorption and produce a second group of daughter ions: C10⁺Hn, C₉⁺Hn, and C₈⁺Hn. Finally, there is a third dissociative process, characterized by the absorption of up to four photons, producing C₇⁺Hn, C₆⁺Hn, C₅⁺Hn, C₄⁺Hn, and C₃⁺Hn. Most of the detected ions are of the form Cm⁺Hn with m < n. Total deprotonation has also been observed. The mechanism proposed involves the dissociation of the parent ion, which then dissociates by different competitive channels. Helium, neon and argon were used as carrier gases (CG). A detailed discussion is presented regarding the use of He as the CG. The laser pulse intensity allows the absorption of up to nine photons, observed through the formation of multiply charged ions of some of the CG atoms.     

Potential energy surfaces for the reaction of B+ (1S,3P) with H2 using spin-coupled VB theory: Asymptotic regions of the surfaces

We present spin-coupled VB calculations for the asymptotic regions of the potential surfaces for the (B + H₂)⁺ system. A large basis set is used and great care has been taken to ensure that all states lying within 13 eV of the BH⁺(X²Σ⁺) + H ground state are well described. A total of 592 spin-coupled structures (fully coupled configurations) was used. These calculations show a significant improvement over previous work. The present surfaces, at least in the regions studied here, appear to be of chemical accuracy. Having established the reliability of our calculations, further studies will concentrate on the inner regions of the surfaces - preferably in conjunction with dynamical studies.     

Sputtered metal cluster ions: Unimolecular decomposition and collision induced fragmentation

Cluster ions are produced by ion bombardment of thick metal targets and mass selected in a Wien filter. The unimolecular decomposition of Al _n ⁺ , Cu _n ⁺ , Mo _n ⁺ , W _n ⁺ , and Pb _n ⁺ is investigated under UHV conditions. The time evolution of the decay allows a glimpse into the cluster formation/fragmentation process. Highly excited metal cluster ions decompose mainly by evaporating single neutral atoms with rates reaching 100%. The collision induced fragmentation (CIF) of stable mass selected metal cluster ions in a low pressure Ar and O₂ gas target will be compared to the unimolecular decay.     

Photochemical properties of Ag ion clusters included within ZSM-5 zeolites prepared by an ion-exchange method

Photoluminescence investigations of the Ag ion-exchanged ZSM-5 (Ag⁺ /ZSM-5) zeolite revealed that a Ag ion cluster (Agⁿ _m ⁺) exists in the pore structure of ZSM-5 exhibiting photoluminesm cence at 380 nm upon excitation at 332 nm. UV irradiation ( = 285 nm) of Ag⁺ /ZSM-5 at 77 K leads to the transformation of Agⁿ _m ⁺ into a different Ag ion cluster (Ag_m ^(n-1)+) which exhibits photoluminescence at 465 nm upon excitation at 315 nm. This photo-transformation of the Ag ion clusters was found to be thermally reversible under vacuum. It was demonstrated that an electron transfer from the photo-excited Al³⁺ -O^2- to Agⁿ _m ⁺ plays a significant role in this process. In the presence of oxygen, UV irradiation of Ag⁺ /ZSM-5 leads to the formation of O₂- instead of an Ag ion cluster (Ag_m ^(n-1)+), suggesting that oxygen acts as an efficient electron scavenger, which interferes with the electron capture of Agⁿ _m ⁺ under UV irradiation at 285 nm.     

Early Stage Solvation of Protonated Methanol by Carbon Dioxide (cited: 1)

The solvation of protonated methanol by carbon dioxide has been studied via a cluster model. Quantum chemical calculations of the H⁺(CH₃OH)(CO₂)_n⁺(n=1-7) clusters indicate that the rst solvation shell of the OH groups is completed at n=3 or 4. Besides hydrogen-bond interaction, the C_CO2…O_CO2 intermolecular interaction is also responsible for the stabilization of the larger clusters. The transfer of the proton from methanol onto CO₂ with the formation of the OCOH⁺ moiety might be unfavorable in the early stage of solvation process. Simulated IR spectra reveal that vibrational frequencies of free O-H stretching, hydrogen-bonded O-H stretching, and O-C-O stretching of CO₂ unit a ord the sensitive probe for exploring the solvation of protonated methanol by carbon dioxide. IR spectra for the H⁺(CH₃OH)(CO₂)_n⁺(n=1-7) clusters could be readily measured by the infrared photodissociation technique and thus provide useful information for the understanding of solvation processes.     

Gas phase ion/molecule reactions in phosphine/germane mixtures studied by ion trapping

Gaseous mixtures of phosphine and germane have been investigated by ion trap mass spectrometry. Reaction pathways together with rate constants of the main reactions are reported. The mechanisms of ion/molecule reactions have been elucidated by single and multiple isolation steps. The GeH_n⁺ (n = 1–3) ions react with phosphine to give GePH_n⁺ (n = 2–4) ions. The GePH₄⁺ ion further reacts with GeH₄ to yield Ge₂PH₆⁺. The GePH_n⁺ (n = 2–4) mixed ionic family also originates from the P⁺ phosphine primary ion, as well as from the P₂H_n⁺ (n = 0–3) secondary ions of phosphine reacting with neutral germane and from Ge₂H₂⁺ reacting with phosphine. The main reaction pathways of the PH_n⁺ (n = 0–2) ions with GeH₄ lead to the formation of the GeH₂⁺ and GeH₃⁺ ionic species. Protonation of phosphine from different ionic precursors is a very common process and yields the stable phosphonium ion, PH₄⁺. Trends in total abundances of secondary GePH_n⁺ (n = 2–4) ions as function of reaction time for different PH₃/GeH₄ pressure ratios show that excess of germane slightly affects the nucleation of mixed Ge-P ions.     

Infrared Photodissociation Spectroscopic and Theoretical Study of [Co(CO2)n]+ Clusters

The mass-selected infrared photodissociation (IRPD) spectroscopy was utilized to investigate the interactions of cationic cobalt with carbon dioxide molecules. Quantum chemical calculations were performed on the [Co(CO₂)_n]⁺ clusters to identify the structures of the low-lying isomers and to assign the observed spectral features. All the [Co(CO₂)_n]⁺(n=2-6) clusters studied here show resonances near the CO₂ asymmetric stretch of free CO₂ molecule. Experimental and calculated results indicate that the CO₂ molecules are weakly bound to the Co⁺ cations in an end-on con guration via a charge-quadrupole electrostatic interaction. The present IRPD spectra of [Co(CO₂)_n]⁺ clusters have been compared to those of Ar-tagged species ([Co(CO₂)_n]⁺-Ar), which would provide insights into the tagging effect of rare gas on the weakly-bounded clusters.     

Doubly charged benzene and isomeric dications. Fragmentation energetics and charge distributions calculated by MINDO/3 molecular orbital theory

MINDO/3 calculations for singlet and triplet doubly charged benzene [C₆H₆]²⁺ are in satisfactory agreement with the experimentally determined values of the vertical double ionization energy of benzene; calculations for straight chain isomeric structures are consistent with the observed kinetic energy release on fragmentation to [C₅H₃]⁺ and [CH₃]⁺. Symmetrical doubly charged benzene ions relax to a less symmetrical cyclic structure having sufficient internal energy to fragment by ring opening and hydrogen transfer towards the ends of the carbon chain. Fragmentation of [CH₃C₄CH₃]²⁺ to [CH₃C₄]⁺ and [CH₃]⁺ is a relatively high energy process (A), whereas both (B): [CH₃CHC₃CH₂]²⁺ to [CHC₃CH₂]⁺ and [CH₃]⁺ and (C): [CH₃CHCCHCCH]²⁺ to [CHCCHCCH]⁺ and [CH₃]⁺ may be exothermic processes from doubly charged benzene. Furthermore, the calculated energy for the reverse of process (A) is less than the experimentally observed kinetic energy released, whereas larger energies for the reverse of processes B and C are predicted. Heats of formation of homologous series [HC_n]⁺, [CH₃C_n]⁺, [CH₂C_n?2CH]⁺, [CH₃C_n?2CH₂]⁺ and [CH₂?CHC_n?3CH₂]⁺ with 1 < n < 6 are calculated to aid prediction of the most stable products of fragmentation of doubly charged cations. The homologous series [CH₂C_n?2CH]⁺ is relatively stable and may account for ready fragmentation of doubly charged ions to [C_nH₃]⁺; alternatively the symmetrical [C₅H₃]⁺ ion [CHCCHCCH]⁺ may be formed. Dicoordinate carbon chains appear to be important stabilizing features for both cations and dications.     

Differentiation of Positional Isomers of Hybrid Peptides Containing Repeats of β-Nucleoside Derived Amino Acid (β-Nda-) and L-Amino Acids by Positive and Negative Ion Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS<Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Superscript>)

A new class of positional isomeric pairs of -Boc protected oligopeptides comprised of alternating nucleoside derived β-amino acid (β-Nda-) and L-amino acid residues (alanine, valine, and phenylalanine) have been differentiated by both positive and negative ion electrospray ionization ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS ⁿ ). The protonated dipeptide positional isomers with β-Nda- at the N-terminus lose CH₃OH, NH₃, and C₂H₄O₂, whereas these processes are absent for the peptides with L-amino acids at the N-terminus. Instead, the presence of L-amino acids at the N-terminus results in characteristic retro-Mannich reaction involving elimination of imine. A good correlation has been observed between the conformational structure of the peptides and the abundance of y_n⁺ and b_n⁺ ions in MS ⁿ spectra. In the case of tetrapeptide isomers that are reported to form helical structures in solution phase, no y_n⁺ and b_n⁺ ions are observed when the corresponding amide -NH- participates in the helical structures. In contrast, significant y_n⁺ and b_n⁺ ions are formed when the amide -NH- is not involved in the H-bonding. In the case of tetra- and hexapeptides, it is observed that abundant b_n⁺ ions are formed, presumably with stable oxazolone structures when the C-terminus of the b_n⁺ ions possessed L-amino acid and the β-Nda- at the C-terminus appears to prevent the cyclization process leading to the absence of corresponding b_n⁺ ions.     

Studies on primary hydrated complexes of Li+, Na+ and K+ ions by the extended Hückel method

The potential curves for aquacomplexes of Li⁺, Na⁺ K⁺ ions with the coordination numbers, n, equal to 4, 6 and 8 have been calculated by the extended Hückel method. The equilibrium values of the hydrated shell radius and the binding energy have been determined. The complexes of Li⁺ with n = 6 and Na⁺ and K⁺ with n = 8 were found to be the most advantageous energetically. As could be expected the contribution of the 3d-orbitals to the binding for the K⁺ion is much more considerable than for the Na⁺ion. The character of the potential curves for aquacomplexes of sodium and potassium ions is quite different. In the case of the K⁺ion the curves are found to be very smooth and slowly decreasing with distance, which can be attributed to the poor hydratability of this ion and the “loosening” of water structure by it.     

Photofragmentation of mass resolved carbon cluster ions

The results of a detailed study of the photodissociation of carbon cluster ions, C ₃ ⁺ to C ₂₀ ⁺ , are presented and discussed. The experiments were performed using internally cold cluster ions derived from pulsed laser evaporation of a graphite target rod in a helium buffer gas followed by supersonic expansion. The mass selected clusters were photodissociated using 248 nm and 351 nm light from an excimer laser. Photofragment branching ratios, photodissociation cross sections and data on the laser fluence dependence of photodissociation are reported. For almost all initial clusters, C _n ⁺ , the dominant photodissociation pathway was observed to be loss of a C₃ unit to give a C _n?3 ⁺ ion. This observation is interpreted as indicating that dissociation occurs by a statistical unimolecular process rather than by direct photodissociation. The photodissociation was found to be linear with laser fluence forn>5 with 248 nm and 351 nm light; quadratic forn=5 for 248 nm and 351 nm; and linear forn=4 at 248 nm. Dissociation energies for the carbon cluster ions implied by these results are discussed. The photodissociation cross sections were found to change dramatically with cluster size and with the wavelength of the photodissociating light.     

Formation of H3O+ from alcohols and ethers induced by intense laser fields

The processes of H₃O⁺ production from alcohols (ethanol, 2‐propanol, 1‐propanol, 2‐butanol) and ethers (diethyl ether and ethyl methyl ether), and their deuterium‐substituted species, by intense laser fields (800 nm, 100 fs, ～1 × 10¹⁴ W/cm) were investigated through time‐of‐flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. H₃O⁺ formation was observed for all these compounds except for ethyl methyl ether. From the analysis of TOF signals of H_(3?n)D_nO⁺ (n = 0, 1, 2, and 3) that have expanding tails with increasing flight time, it has been confirmed that the reaction proceeds through metastable dissociation from the intermediate species C₂H_(5?m)D_mO⁺(m = 0–5). The common shape of the H_(3?n)D_nO⁺ signal profiles contains two major distributions in the time constant, i.e., fast and slow components of <50 ns and ～500 ns, respectively. The H_(3?n)D_nO⁺ branching ratio is interpreted to be the result of complete scrambling of four hydrogen atoms at the C? C site in C₂H₄‐OH⁺, and partial exchange (18–38%) of a hydrogen atom in the OH group with four other hydrogen atoms within 1 ns prior to H_(3?n)D_nO⁺ production. Ab initio calculations for the isomers and transition states of C₂H₅O⁺ were also performed, and the observed H_(3?n)D_nO⁺ production mechanism has been discussed. In addition, a stable isomer having a complex structure and two isomerization pathways were discovered to contribute to the H₃O⁺ formation process. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Selective reagents in chemical ionization mass spectrometry: Tetramethylsilane with ethers

Chemical ionization mass spectra of several ethers obtained with He/(CH₃)₄Si mixtures as the reagent gases contain abundant [M + 73]⁺ adduct ions which identify the relative molecular mass. For the di-n-alkyl ethers, these [M + 73]⁺ ions are formed by sample ion/sample molecule reactions of the fragment ions, [M + 73 ? C_nH_2n]⁺ and [M + 73 ? 2CnH_2n]⁺. Small amounts of [M + H]⁺ ions are also formed, predominantly by proton transfer reactions of the [M + 73 ? 2CnH_2n]⁺ or [(CH₃)₃SiOH₂]⁺ ions with the ethers. The di-s-alkyl ethers give no [M + 73] ⁺ ions, but do give [M + H]⁺ ions, which allow the determination of the relative molecular mass. These [M + H]⁺ ions result primarily from proton transfer reactions from the dominant fragment ion, [(CH₃)₃SiOH₂]⁺ with the ether. Methyl phenyl ether gives only [M + 73]⁺ adduct ions, by a bimolecular addition of the trimethylsilyl ion to the ether, not by the two-step process found for the di-n-alkyl ethers. Ethyl phenyl ether gives [M + 73]⁺ by both the two-step process and the bimolecular addition. Although the mass spectra of the alkyl etherr are temperature-dependent, the sensitivities of the di-alkyl ethers and ethyl phenyl ether are independent of temperature. However, the sensitivity for methyl phenyl ether decreases significantly with increasing temperature.     

Weak Interactions Initiate C−H and C−C Bond Dissociation of Ethane on Nbn+ Clusters

The conversion of ethane into value-added chemicals under ambient conditions has attracted much attention but the mechanisms remain not fully understood. Here we report a study on the reaction of ethane with thermalized Nb_n⁺ clusters based on a multiple-ion laminar flow tube reactor combined with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (MIFT-TQMS). It is found that ethane reacts with Nb_n⁺ clusters to form both products of dehydrogenation and methane-removal (odd-carbon products). Combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we studied the reaction mechanisms of the C−C bond activation and C−H bond cleavage on the Nb_n⁺ clusters. It is unveiled that hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) initiates the reaction process, giving rise to the formation of Nb−C bonds and an elongated C−C distance in the HNb_n⁺CH₂CH₃ motif. Subsequent reactions allow for C−C bond activation and a competitive HAT process which is associated with CH₄ removal or H₂ release, resulting in the production of the observed carbides.     

Infrared Photodissociation Spectroscopic and Theoretical Study of the HC2nO+ (n=3-6) Cations

The carbon chain cations, HC_2nO⁺ (n=3-6) are produced via a pulsed laser vaporization supersonic expansion ion source in the gas phase. Their infrared spectra are measured via mass-selected infrared photodissociation spectroscopy of the CO “tagged” [HC_2nO·CO]⁺ cation complexes in 1600-3500 cm^-1 frequency range. The geometric and electronic structures of the [HC_2nO·CO]⁺ complexes and the core HC_2nO⁺ (n=3-6) cations are determined with the aid of density functional theory calculations. These HC_2nO⁺(n=3-6) ions are identified to be linear carbon chain derivatives terminally capped by hydrogen and oxygen. The triplet ground states are 10-15 kcal/mol lower in energy than the singlet states, indicating cumulene-like carbon chain structures.     

Fragmentation of clusters induced by collision with a solid surface: comparison of antimony and bismuth cluster ions

Mass-selected antimony cluster ions Sb _n ⁺ (n = 3-12) and bismuth cluster ions Bi _{ntn} ⁺ (n = 3-8) are allowed to collide with the surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite at energies up to 350 eV. The resulting fragment ions are analysed in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Two main fragmentation channels can be identified. At low impact energies both Sb _n ⁺ and Bi _n ⁺ cluster ions lose neutral tetramer and dimer units upon collision. Above about 150 eV impact energy Sb ₃ ⁺ becomes the predominant fragment ion of all investigated antimony clusters. The enhanced stability of these fragment clusters can be explained in the framework of the polyhedral skeletal electron pair theory. In contrast, Bi _n ⁺ cluster scattering leads to the formation of Bi ₃ ⁺ , Bi ₂ ⁺ and Bi+ with nearly equal abundances, if the collision energy exceeds 75 eV. The integral scattering yield is substantially higher in this case as compared to Sb _n ⁺ clusters.     

Electrochemical characteristics of the n+-type GaAs substrate in HCl electrolyte and the morphology of the obtained structure

The anodic etching of n⁺-type GaAs (1 0 0) substrate in HCl aqueous solution has been investigated experimentally using an in situ current–voltage J (V) and capacitance–voltage C (V) measurements. In situ current–voltage, J (V), characteristics of the n⁺-GaAs/HCl interface exhibit the presence of three potential regions, which are attributed to different reaction mechanisms between HCl and n⁺-type GaAs surface. Also, current peaks appear in the J (V) characteristics which delimit the different potential regions. According to the Mott–Schottky relation, the characteristic C^?2 (V) exhibits the presence of two linear regions separated by a shoulder at about 1.15 V. This shoulder indicates the formation of porous GaAs/HCl interface. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images shows that GaAs etched in HCl can produce various surface morphologies depending on the anodization current density. Reasonable assumptions on the dissolution mechanisms according to the variety of morphologies are given.