Vibronic spectroscopy of single C60 molecules and monolayers with the STM

A scanning tunneling microscope is used to study the differential conductance (dI/dV) of single C(60) molecules in isolation and in monolayers adsorbed on NiAl(110) and on an ultrathin alumina film grown on the NiAl(110) surface. On the oxide layer, the electronic bands in the dI/dV spectra display a series of equally spaced features, attributed to the vibronic states of the molecules, which are absent when the molecules are adsorbed on the metal. A comparison between the molecular spectra measured on the oxide film reveals the effect of adsorption temperature and geometry, as well as intermolecular interactions on the vibronic features.     

Theoretical studies of C60/C70 fullerene derivatives: C60O and C70O

A semiempirical (AM1) calculation on the structures and stabilities of isomers of the fullerene derivatives C₆₀O and C₇₀O is carried out. The ozonolysis reaction mechanism and the thermodynamics of the compounds are studied. The two isomers of C₆₀O (56 bond and 66 bond) formed by an oxygen atom bridging across a C-C bond have an epoxide-like or an annulene-like structure. According to the ozonolysis reaction mechanism and kinetic factor analysis, the possible products of this ozonolysis reaction are C₆₀O with oxygen bridging over the 66 bond (C_2v) as an epoxide-like isomer and that with oxygen bridging over the 56 bond (C_s) as an annulene-like isomer. Further, the sixteen isomers of C₇₀O (both epoxide-like and annulene-like structures) have been studied with respect to the same reaction mechanism. The most possible product in this ozonolysis reaction contains oxygen bridging across in the upper part (66 bond in C₇₀O-2 or C₇₀O-4) as an epoxide-like structure. The other possible product is C₇₀O-8 (annulene-like structure), in which oxygen bridges across an broken equatorial CC bond in C₇₀ (D_5h). The vibrational frequency analysis and the electronic structure of the selected C₆₀O and C₇₀O isomers are generated for experimental characterisation. The experimental results indicate that C₆₀O and C₇₀O may decompose into the odd number fullerenes C₅₉ and C₆₉. We therefore studied the structures of C₅₉ and C₆₉ also.     

Accurate theoretical IR and Raman spectrum of Al2O2 and Al2O3 molecules

The accurate harmonic vibration frequencies together with the infrared (IR) and Raman intensities of the most stable conformers of Al₂O₂ and Al₂O₃ molecules have been calculated by the density functional theory (DFT) method with B3LYP exchange–correlation potential and using a set of the augmented correlated consistent basis sets up to quintuple order. The anharmonic vibration frequencies of the non-linear Al₂O₂ molecule have also been calculated. The obtained equilibrium geometrical parameters, harmonic and anharmonic vibration frequencies along with the IR and Raman intensities good converge to their limits with increasing the size of the used basis set. A comparison of the calculated harmonic and anharmonic vibrational frequencies with the available experimental ones points out that the small differences between the calculated harmonic and experimental frequencies can be further substantially reduced when calculations of the anharmonic vibrational frequencies will be available for all types of molecular geometries.     

Distribution of C60 and C70 fullerenes in the extraction system (C60 + C70)-α-pinene-ethanol-H2O

The distribution of C₆₀ and C₇₀ fullerenes in the extraction system (C₆₀ + C₇₀)-α-pinene-ethanol-H₂O was studied at constant C₆₀ to C₇₀ ratio and variable total fullerene concentration at 25°C. The relationship between the C₆₀ and C₇₀ content in ethanol (I) and α-pinene (II) phases is nonlinear over the entire fullerene concentration range.     

NO2 adsorption on ultrathin theta-Al2O3 films: formation of nitrite and nitrate species

Interaction of NO2 with an ordered theta-Al2O3/NiAl(100) model catalyst surface was investigated using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The origin of the NO(x) uptake of the catalytic support (i.e., Al2O3) in a NO(x) storage catalyst is identified. Adsorbed NO2 is converted to strongly bound nitrites and nitrates that are stable on the model catalyst surface at temperatures as high as 300 and 650 K, respectively. The results show that alumina is not completely inert and may stabilize some form of NO(x) under certain catalytic conditions. The stability of the NO(x) formed by exposing the theta-Al2O3 model catalyst to NO2 adsorption increases in the order NO2 (physisorbed or N2O4) < NO2 (chemisorbed) < NO2- < NO3-.     

Low temperature H2O and NO2 coadsorption on theta-Al2O3/NiAl(100) ultrathin films

The coadsorption of H(2)O and NO(2) molecules on a well-ordered, ultrathin theta-Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(100) film surface was studied using temperature programmed desorption (TPD), infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). For H(2)O and NO(2) monolayers adsorbed separately on the theta-Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(100) surface, adsorption energies were estimated to be 44.8 and 36.6 kJ/mol, respectively. Coadsorption systems prepared by sequential deposition of NO(2) and H(2)O revealed the existence of coverage and temperature-dependent adsorption regimes where H(2)O molecules and the surface NO(x) species (NO(2)/N(2)O(4)/NO(2)(-),NO(3)(-)) form segregated and/or mixed domains. Influence of the changes in the crystallinity of solid water (amorphous vs crystalline) on the coadsorption properties of the NO(2)/H(2)O/theta-Al(2)O(3)/NiAl(100) system is also discussed.     

The state of metals in the Pt/Al2O3 and (Pt-Cu)/Al2O3 catalysts as indicated by IR spectroscopy with isotope dilution of 12C16O with 13C18O molecules

Adsorption of ¹³C¹⁸O+¹²C¹⁶O mixtures on the Pt(2.9%)/γ-Al₂O₃, (Pt(2.6%)+Cu(2.7%))/γ-Al₂O₃, and (Pt(2.6%)+Cu(5.1%))/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts was studied by FTIR spectroscopy. On the metallic Pt surface at coverages close to saturation, CO is adsorbed both strongly and weakly to form linear species for which the vibrational frequencies of the isolated ¹³C¹⁸O molecules adsorbed on Pt are ∼1940 and ∼1970 cm⁻¹, respectively. The redistribution of intensities of the high-and low-frequency absorption bands in the spectra of adsorbed ¹³C¹⁸O indicates that these linear forms are present on the adjacent metal sites. The weak adsorption is responsible for the fast isotope exchange between the gaseous CO and CO molecules adsorbed on metal. The Pt-Cu alloys, in which the electronic state of the surface Pt atoms characteristic of monometallic Pt remains unchanged, are formed on the surface of the reduced Pt-Cu bimetallic catalysts. The decrease in the vibrational frequencies of the isolated C=O bonds in the isolated Pt-CO complexes suggests that the CO molecules adsorbed on the Cu atoms affect the electronic properties of Pt. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 831–836, May, 2007.     

Rotation dynamics of C60 molecules in organic superconductor K3C60

The rotation dynamics of C₆₀ molecules in organic superconductor K₃C₆₀ has been investigated from the viewpoint of intramolecular interaction. It is determined that the rotation of C₆₀ at mom temperature has been frozen up within a small region of rotation angle (0°–50°), and pointed out that the reason for the freeze is the physical interaction rather than the geometrical hindrance. The computations of the interactions for alkali-doped compounds A_3-x A′ _x C₆₀ (x = 1, 2, 3; A, A′ = K, Rb, Cs) other than K₃C₆₀ have also been camed out. Fmm the obtained results, it is seen that the superconducting transition temperatures T, are strongly connected with the interactions in them, and this observation is consistent with the discovery of the correlation between T_c, and lattice constants a. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

Studies of the photoexcited states of the fullerenes, C60 and C70

The spectra of C₆₀ and C₇₀ were examined using low-temperature photoluminescence and quasi-elastic light scattering spectroscopy. A detailed vibronic analysis of the lowest triplet and singlet excited states of C₇₀ is obtained. The lowest triplet state is identified as a ³E₁′ state and the vibronic structure consists primarily of Herzberg-Teller active e₂′ modes. The intensity of the electronic origin is comparable to the vibronically induced intensity and is extraordinarily solvent sensitive. The spectrum of monosubstituted C₆₀ is shown to be qualitatively similar to that of C₆₀ in polar or strongly complexing solvents. The principal effect of solvent interaction or substitution is to induce dipole intensity in the orbitally forbidden electronic origins of the luminescent states of C₆₀ and C₇₀. The Rayleigh scattering of fullerene solutions illustrates that solute aggregation occurs easily and that aggregate nucleation is strongly affected by surfaces in contact with the solution.     

Products of the addition of water molecules to Al3O3- clusters: structure, bonding, and electron binding energies in Al3O4H2-, Al3O5H4-, Al3O4H2, and Al3O5H4

Two stable products of reactions of water molecules with the Al3O3- cluster, Al3O4H2- and Al3O5H4-, are studied with electronic structure calculations. There are several minima with similar energies for both anions and the corresponding molecules. Dissociative absorption of a water molecule to produce an anionic cluster with hydroxide ions is thermodynamically favored over the formation of Al3O3-(H2O)n complexes. Vertical electron detachment energies of Al3O4H2- and Al3O5H4- calculated with ab initio electron propagator methods provide a quantitative interpretation of recent anion photoelectron spectra. Contrasts and similarities in these spectra may be explained in terms of the Dyson orbitals associated with each transition energy.     

Theoretical predictions of the structures and electronic spectra of C60NH with comparisons with the isoelectronic molecules C60O and C60CH2

Intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO ) calculations were used to study two structures of C₆₀NH: one of C_2ν, geometry with a bridging NH across the bond between two fused six-membered rings in C₆₀ and the other of C_s geometry with a bridging NH across the bond between a five- and a six-membered ring. We calculated the most stable isomer of C₆₀NH to be of C_2ν, symmetry. It was found that the C_2ν isomer has a protonated aziridine structure with a bridging C? C bond length of 0.1520 nm. The electronic spectra of both isomers of C₆₀NH were calculated. Comparisons were made with the isoelectronic molecules C₆₀O and C₆₀CH₂, cases in which the calculated electronic spectra for the most stable isomers C₆₀O (C_2ν) and C₆₀CH₂ (C_2ν) are in good agreement with recent experimental results. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Growth and electronic structure of Sm on thin Al2O3/Ni3Al(111) films

The growth and electronic structure of vapor-deposited Sm on a well-ordered Al(2)O(3)/Ni(3)Al(111) ultrathin film under ultrahigh vacuum conditions at room temperature have been studied comprehensively using synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, work function measurements, scanning tunneling microscopy, and low-energy electron diffraction. Our results indicate that at room temperature Sm grows in a layer-by-layer fashion up to at least 1 ML, followed by three-dimensional growth. The interaction of Sm with Al(2)O(3) thin films leads to an initial oxidation of Sm, accompanied by a parallel reduction of the Al(2)O(3) substrate. Both the oxidation states of Sm(2+) and Sm(3+) are found at low coverage (<1 ML). The concentration of Sm(2+) saturates below 0.4 ML, while that of Sm(3+) keeps increasing until the metallic state of Sm appears at high coverages.     

Inclusion properties of 3-fluoromesotetraphenylporphyrin with C60 and C70

To improve the selectivity ratio of C70 over C60, a new designer molecule, viz., 3-fluoromesotetraphenylporphyrin (1) has been reported in the present investigations. Fluorescence studies reveal that the Q-absorption band of 1 gets sufficient quenching effect upon addition of both C60 and C70. Binding constants (K) of the C60/1 and C70/1 complexes are estimated to be 580 and 10,800 dm3 mol(-1), respectively. Thus, K(C70)/K(C60) is approximately 19 which is very large and even comparable with other macrocyclic host molecules like calix[5]arene, azacalix[m]arene[n]pyridine, cyclotriveratrylenophane and calixarene bisporphyrin. 1H NMR chemical shift measurements show that the -NH- proton of 1 suffers more shifts in presence of C70 compared to C60. This finding also offers a good support in favor of high K value for C70/1 complex as well as large selectivity ratio of C70 over C60.     

Extraction equilibria in the fullerene-containing system C60-C70-1,2,4-trichlorobenzene-ethanol-H2O

The liquid (I)-liquid (II) extraction equilibria in the five-component system fullerene C₆₀-fullerene C₇₀-1,2,4-C₆H₃Cl₃-C₂H₅OH-H₂O were studied at 25°C. Isothermal diagrams of distribution of the fullerene components among stratifying liquid phases at a constant content of H₂O were obtained.     

Plasma catalytic reaction of natural gas to C2 product over Pd-NiO/Al2O3 and Pt-Sn/Al2O3 catalysts

The decomposition of natural gas over Pd-NiO/Al₂O₃ and Pt-Sn/Al₂O₃ is carried out in a microwave catalytic reaction at room temperature. The decomposition of methane is caused by collision by excitation of unstable electronic state. Measuring the flow rate and plasma power can provide kinetic data and indicate the mechanism. The conversion of C₂ products increases from 47 to 63.7% in the microwave plasma catalytic reaction with electric field. Comparing the activities of catalysts, Pd-NiO/Al₂O₃ bimetallic catalyst is more active than Pt-Sn/Al₂O₃ catalyst because of modification of the surface of catalysts by carbon formation. The kinetic modeling of plasma of methane conversion seems related to the power of the electric discharge. It was also revealed that proper coking or polymeric carbon formation improves the catalytic activity; therefore, the conversion of methane may increase over Pd-Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst in the plasma system.     

Determination of diffusion induced concentration profiles in Cr2O3 films on ceramic Al2O3 by Auger sputter depth profiling

Annealing induced interface and bulk effects in thin Cr₂O₃ films on aluminum oxide have been studied. The investigated samples have been prepared by reactive r.f. magnetron sputter deposition of Cr₂O₃ on ceramic Al₂O₃ substrates. Annealing at temperatures up to 1250° C have been carried out in situ under ultra high vacuum. Temperature induced compositional changes have been subsequently determined by AES sputter depth profiling without breaking the vacuum. The non-conducting substrates and the overlap of the Cr-(LMM)- and O-(KLL)-Auger peaks required special analysis parameters and spectra interpretation to obtain the concentration depth profiles of the different elements (Al, O, Cr).     

Thermally stable perfluoroalkylfullerenes with the skew-pentagonal-pyramid pattern: C60(C2F5)4O, C60(CF3)4O, and C60(CF3)6

Reaction of C(60) with CF(3)I at 550 degrees C, which is known to produce a single isomer of C(60)(CF(3))(2,4,6) and multiple isomers of C(60)(CF(3))(8,10), has now been found to produce an isomer of C(60)(CF(3))(6) with the C(s)-C(60)X(6) skew-pentagonal-pyramid (SPP) addition pattern and an epoxide with the C(s)-C(60)X(4)O variation of the SPP addition pattern, C(s)-C(60)(CF(3))(4)O. The structurally similar epoxide C(s)-C(60)(C(2)F(5))(4)O is one of the products of the reaction of C(60) with C(2)F(5)I at 430 degrees C. The three compounds have been characterized by mass spectrometry, DFT quantum chemical calculations, Raman, visible, and (19)F NMR spectroscopy, and, in the case of the two epoxides, single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound C(s)-C(60)(CF(3))(6) is the first [60]fullerene derivative with adjacent R(f) groups that are sufficiently sterically hindered to cause the (DFT-predicted) lengthening of the cage (CF(3))C-C(CF(3)) bond to 1.60 A as well as to give rise to a rare, non-fast-exchange-limit (19)F NMR spectrum at 20 degrees C. The compounds C(s)-C(60)(CF(3))(4)O and C(s)-C(60)(C(2)F(5))(4)O are the first poly(perfluoroalkyl)fullerene derivatives with a non-fluorine-containing exohedral substituent and the first fullerene epoxides known to be stable at elevated temperatures. All three compounds demonstrate that the SPP addition pattern is at least kinetically stable, if not thermodynamically stable, at temperatures exceeding 400 degrees C. The high-temperature synthesis of the two epoxides also indicates that perfluoroalkyl substituents can enhance the thermal stability of fullerene derivatives with other substituents.     

Studies on novel cyclodextrans: Inclusion of C60 and C70

Cycloisomalto-heptaose (CI-7) and cycloisomalto-octaose (CI-8) are two novel cyclodextrans. Treatment with C₆₀ or C₇₀ by kneading leads to the formation of four distinct water-soluble inclusion complexes: CI-7/C₆₀ (2: 1), CI-8/C₆₀ (2: 1), CI-7/C₇₀ (2: 1) and CI-8/C₇₀ (2: 1). Their formation and structures have been examined by UV vis spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and fluorescence spectral studies. The reaction is a reversible process.