Hydration-induced conformational changes in protonated 2,4-pentanedione in the gas phase

Starting with H⁺[CH₃C(O)CH₂C(O)CH₃] (denoted H⁺PD), the protonated diketone-water clusters H⁺PD(H₂O) _n (n = 1–3) have been characterized by density functional theory calculations in combination with vibrational predissociation spectroscopy to explore the conformational changes of a protonated bifunctional ion solvated by water in the gas phase. Theoretical calculations for H⁺PD revealed that the ion contains an intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB), with two oxygen atoms bridged by the extra proton in an O—H⁺ … O form. Attachment of one water molecule to it readily ruptures this IHB, replacing the H⁺ by the H₃O⁺ moiety. Further replacement of the IHB by two water molecules occurs at n = 2 and the ?C(O)CH₂C(O)- chain is fully opened (or unfolded) after transfer of the extra proton to the water trimer at n = 3. To verify the computational findings, infrared spectroscopic measurements were performed using a vibrational predissociation ion trap spectrometer to identify cluster isomers from the signatures of hydrogen bonded and non-hydrogen bonded OH stretching spectra of H⁺PD(H₂O)_2,3 produced in a corona discharge supersonic expansion. Besides open form isomers, evidence for the formation of water-bridged structures has been found for H⁺PD(H₂O)₃ at an estimated temperature of 200 K. A detailed illustration of the unfolding steps as well as the energy profiles for the evolution of a two-water bridge isomer from the protonated H⁺PD monomer are analysed pictorially (including both stable intermediates and transition states) in the present investigation.     

Ions with strong symmetric H-bonds and their solvation in aqueous-ethanolic solutions of HCl

Ion-molecular interactions in the HCl-EtOH-H₂O system are studied by means of multiple frustrated total internal reflection IR spectroscopy over a wide range of concentrations of the components. It is demonstrated that, in the investigated solutions, the acid is fully bound into ions and uncharged complexes formed by strong symmetric or quasi-symmetric H-bonds. There is a competition between H₂O and EtOH molecules during the formation of the (H₅C₂(H)O…H…O(H)C₂H₅)⁺, (H₂O…H…OH₂)⁺, and (H₂O…H…O(H)C₂H₅)⁺ proton disolvates. In dilute solutions of HCl in 2: 1 and 1: 1 EtOH-H₂O mixtures, (H₂O…H…OH₂)⁺ proton dihydrates are mainly formed, whereas in concentrated HCl solutions, under conditions of a partial solvation of ions by solvent molecules, predominantly (H₂O…H…O(H)C₂H₅)⁺ mixed proton disolvates arise. In concentrated solutions of HCl in EtOH with low water content, the acid is partially bound into (H₅C₂(H)O…H⁺…Cl^?) uncharged complexes with the participation of the Cl^? anion.     

Structures of proton solvates in the HCl-H2O-(CH3)2NCHO system as determined by IR spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations

The structures of proton solvates in the HCl-H₂O-(CH₃)₂NCHO (DMFA) system at H₂O: DMFA ratios ranging from 1: 1 to 21: 1 are studied by the IR spectroscopy method. It is demonstrated that H₂O?H⁺?OH₂ ions and (CH₃)₂NCHO?H⁺?OH₂ mixed solvates with a strong quasi-symmetrical hydrogen bond are formed in solutions. With an increase in the DMFA concentration, the fraction of H₅O ₂ ⁺ ions decreases. At HCl: H₂O ≥ 1: 3 and arbitrary DMFA concentrations, only mixed proton solvates are formed. The continuous absorption coefficients for the (CH₃)₂NCHO?H⁺?OH₂ ions are determined. The results obtained are compared with the results of quantum-chemical calculations of the structure and relative stability of the (DMFA) _m H⁺(H₂O) _n (m = 0–2, n = 0–3) positively charged complexes which were performed by the B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) DFT method. We identified 19 stable configurations with chain, cyclic, and branched structures. Most of these configurations contain the (CH₃)₂NCHO?H⁺?OH₂ fragment. The parameters of the O?H⁺?O bridge show that some configurations have a strong quasi-symmetrical hydrogen bond. In some cases, the proton is located between two DMFA molecules. The H₂O?H⁺?OH₂ bridge is observed in none of the stable configurations of the (DMFA) _m H⁺(H₂O) _n (m ≠ 0) complexes.     

Synthesis and Characterization of 2,2-Biimidazole Complexes of Oxocations of Molybdenum (VI,V) and Uranium(VI)

Abstract

2,2′-Biimidazole complexes of MoO₂ ⁺², MoO₂ ⁺ and UO₂ ⁺² have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, conductance; and ¹H NMR, IR and electronic spectra. Two types of complexes have been identified. Those obtained from slightly acidic solutions have the formulae MoO₂ (H₂bim)Cl₂.2H₂O 1, UO₂(H₂bim) (Ac)₂ 2 and UO₂(H₂bim)Cl₂.2H₂O 3; whereas those from alkaline solutions have the formulae Mo₂O₄(Hbim)₂.2H₂O 4, and MO₂(Hbim)₂ (M = Mo(VI) 5, U(VI) 6). The infrared spectra of these complexes show characteristic biimidazole frequencies in the 3200–2500, 1550–1000 and 750 cm^?1 regions as well as metal oxygen double bonds in the 900 cm^?1 region. The stoichiometries of the acetate complex has been confirmed from ¹H NMR signal ratios of bimidazole to acetate protons at 7.3 and 2.3 ppm, respectively. The electronic spectrum of molybdenum(V) complex showed d-d transition band at ?13,500 cm^?1 in accord with that reported for copper (d⁹) imidazole complexes; as well as peaks due to charge transfer bands at 30,000–26,000 cm^?1 Peaks assignable to BIM → U(VI) were located at ?26,600 cm^?1. The most probable structures of these complexes have been suggested.     

Quantum chemical studies of the solvation of the hydroxide ion

Abstract

To understand and model the solvation of the hydroxide ion, OH(H₂O)^? _n clusters, n = 1?5, are studied using ab initio quantum chemical techniques, largely at the MP2 level of theory using a double zeta plus polarization functions basis extended by diffuse functions. Energies and vibrational frequencies, together with thermodynamic quantities such as enthalpies, entropies and Gibbs free energies, are computed. This permits comparison with experimental estimates of the successive thermodynamic changes associated with the reaction OH(H₂O)^? _n + H₂O → OH(H₂O)^? _n+1. The theoretical values are in good agreement with experiment. The free energy of hydration of OH^? is modelled by a composite discrete-continuum method where the effects of the first hydration shell (n = 3) are obtained from the gas phase cluster calculation, while the long-range effects are modelled using self consistent reaction field theory, namely by calculating the solvation energy of OH(H₂O)^? _n in a dielectric continuum. The best estimate of the solvation (free) energy at 298 K is ?84·5 kcal mol^?1, compared to the experimental value of ?102·8 kcal mol^?1.     

Thermal decomposition and electrical conductivity of M(OH)3 and MOOH (M=Y, lanthanide)

The thermal decomposition of M(OH)₃ (M=Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd) with the Y(OH)₃ structure was examined by the TG and DTA methods. Y(OH)₃, Nd(OH)₃, and Sm(OH)₃ decomposed to MOOH and then to M₂O₃. The decomposition of La(OH)₃ and Gd(OH)₃ occurred via the following schemes: La(OH)₃→LaOOH→La₂O₃·1/2H₂O→La₂O₃, and Gd(OH)₃→Gd₂O₃·3/2H₂O→GdOOH→Gd₂O₃. The highest conductivity of 5.9×1o^?9Scm^?1 at 250°C was found in Gd(OH)₃ and that of 8.9×10^?7 S cm^?1 400°C in GdOOH. The continuous-wave ¹H NMR absorption spectrum of LaOOH at room temperature exhibited no doublet line shape. This shows that protons are magnetically isolated from each other, and very little H₂O and H₃O⁺ can exist.     

The Application of Raman Spectroscopy to the Study of the Uranyl Mineral Coconinoite Fe2Al2(UO2)2(PO4)4(SO4)(OH)2 · 20H2O

ABSTRACT

Raman spectra of the uranyl-containing mineral coconinoite, Fe₂Al₂(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₄(SO₄)(OH)₂ · 20H₂O, are presented and compared with the mineral's infrared spectra. Bands connected with (UO₂)²⁺, (PO₄)^3?, (SO₄)^2?, (OH)^?, and H₂O stretching and bending vibrations are assigned. Approximate U?O bond lengths in uranyl, (UO₂)²⁺, and O?H…O hydrogen bond lengths are calculated from the wavenumbers of the U?O stretching vibrations and (OH)^? and H₂O stretching vibrations, respectively, and compared with published data for similar natural and synthetic compounds.     

Hydrogen and deuterium diffusion in non-stoichiometric spinel

High pressure/temperature annealing experiments are used to determine diffusivities of H⁺ and D⁺ in non-stoichiometric spinel, a low-pressure analogue for nominally anhydrous minerals in Earth’s mantle. Data are fitted to the following Arrhenius law: Diffusivity (m²/s)?=?4?±?1?×?10^?12 exp(?54?±?2 kJ?mol^?1/RT). At low temperatures, H⁺ and D⁺ diffusion in non-stoichiometric spinel is charge balanced by flux of O vacancies, with infrared data consistent with protonation of both octahedral and tetrahedral O–O edges in non-stoichiometric spinel, and additional fine structure due to Mg–Al mixing and/or coupling of structurally incorporated H⁺ with cation vacancies. Absence of changes in the fine structure of O–H absorption bands indicates that H⁺ can become locally coupled and uncoupled to other defects during bulk diffusion. As such, proton conductivity in spinel group minerals, arising from faster flux of uncoupled H⁺, can only be calculated from H⁺ mobility data if the extent of defect coupling is constrained.     

In situ 1H NMR Study of Nanoreactor Interaction NH3–H2O in Zeolite Nanopores

The interaction between ammonium NH₃ and H₂O molecules in zeolitic nanopores is studied by in situ ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method. The powder and single crystal samples of natural zeolites, heulandites Ca₄[Al₈Si₂₈O₇₂]·24H₂O and clinoptilolite (Na, K,Ca_1/2)₆[Al₆Si₃₀O₇₂], were used as the model system. It is shown that penetration of NH₃ into the zeolitic nanopores is accompanied by disordering of the hydrogen sublattice of zeolitic water and by the fast proton exchange NH₃ + H₂O ? [NH₄]⁺ + [OH]^? characterized by correlation frequency v _c = ~40 kHz. Another nanoreactor interactions are represented by interaction of [NH₄]⁺ ions with exchangeable Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions of the zeolitic structure. The slow ionic exchange [NH₄]⁺ → [Na,Ca_1/2]⁺ and binding of [NH₄]⁺ in cationic sites of the framework were visualized by NMR spectroscopy along with stepwise release of (Na,Ca_1/2)OH from zeolitic pores to the external surface of zeolite grains.     

Rigid lattice NMR spectra of proton conductors H(H2O)nSbO3

The “rigid lattice” ¹H NMR spectra of H(H₂O)_nSbO₃ have been interpreted for n=0.20, 0.92 and 1. For n?0.92 the compounds contain deformed H₃O⁺ ions and OH groups. For n=1 the real formula is (H₃O)_0.7H_0.3SbO₃,0.3 H₂O. The results are discussed in relation to the level of proton conductivity.     

Atomic charges of Cl− ions confined in a model Escherichia coli ClC−Cl−/H+ ion exchanger: a density functional theory study

We present extensive semi-empirical and pseudo-potential density functional theory calculations dedicated to analyse the stability, charge density distribution and migration behaviour of Cl^? ions confined in model Escherichia coli (ec) ClC?Cl^?/H⁺ ion-exchangers. Following recent high-resolution crystal structure determination in these kinds of systems, we use a finite-cluster model approach and construct various chemically simplified pore structures made of a glutamate residue ?CH₂?CH₂?COO^? (E148) and its closets 15, 19, 23 and 26 amino acids into which the Cl^? ions will be confined. We reveal the sequence of molecular rearrangements induced on the E148 chain, which blocks the middle of the conduction pathway, leading to the pore opening. The ?CH₂?CH₂?COO^? fragment shows notable variations in its average charge density for small changes in the intra-cellular environment varying from ?0.4e to ?0.3e to ?0.1e in the presence of zero, one and two confined Cl^? ions, respectively, a result that reveals an interesting functionality of the E148 chain during Cl^? conduction. We also obtain complex fluctuations in the ionic charge of the confined Cl^? ions varying from ～?0.7e to ?0.2e, which deviate significantly from the value (?1e) usually used in classical simulations. By attaching a single H species to one of the oxygens of the glutamate group, we obtain that the ?CH₂?CH₂?COOH fragment has now a small effective charge of ～+0.25e. The energy barriers opposing the exit of the Cl^? ions from our considered ion-exchangers vary from 0.65 eV to 4.7 eV, the smallest values being obtained for model structures exhibiting a high degree of flexibility and having protonated E148 fragments. Our results reinforce previous findings and provide additional physical insight, at the atomic level, on the gating process. Finally, we underline the importance of using electronically polarisable force fields to describe the transport of anionic species through this kind of molecular constrictions.     

Thermochemistry,bond energies and internal rotor barriers of methyl sulfinic acid,methyl sulfinic acid ester and their radicals

Sulfur–Oxygen containing hydrocarbons are formed in oxidation of sulfides and thiols in the atmosphere, on aerosols and in combustion processes. Understanding their thermochemical properties is important to evaluate their formation and transformation paths. Structures, thermochemical properties, bond energies, and internal rotor potentials of methyl sulfinic acid CH₃S(?O)OH, its methyl ester CH₃S(?O)OCH₃ and radicals corresponding to loss of a hydrogen atom have been studied. Gas phase standard enthalpies of formation and bond energies were calculated using B3LYP/6‐311G (2d, p) individual and CBS‐QB3 composite methods employing work reactions to further improve accuracy of the ${\Delta} _{{\bf f}} H_{{\bf 298}}^{{\bf o}} $ . Molecular structures, vibration frequencies, and internal rotor potentials were calculated. Enthalpies of the parent molecules CH₃S(?O)OH and CH₃S(?O)OCH₃ are evaluated as ?77.4 and ?72.7 kcal mol^?1 at the CBS? QB3 level; Enthalpies of radicals C^?H₂? S(?O)? OH, CH₃? S^?(?O)₂, C^?H₂? S(?O)? OCH₃ and CH₃? S(?O)? OC^?H₂ (CBS‐QB3) are ?25.7, ?52.3, ?22.8, and ?26.8 kcal mol^?1, respectively. The CH₃C(?O)O—H bond dissociation energy is of 77.1 kcal mol^?1. Two of the intermediate radicals are unstable and rapidly dissociate. The CH₃S(?O)? O. radical obtained from the parent CH₃? S(?O)? OH dissociates into methyl radical (${\bf CH}_{{\bf 3}}^{{\bf .}} $ ) plus SO₂ with endothermicity (ΔH_rxn) of only 16.2 kcal mol^?1. The CH₃? S(?O)? OC^?H₂ radical dissociates into CH₃? S^?=O and CH₂=O with little or no barrier and an exothermicity of ?19.9 kcal mol^?1. DFT and the Complete Basis Set‐QB3 enthalpy values are in close agreement; this accord is attributed to use of isodesmic work reactions for the analysis and suggests this combination of B3LYP/work reaction approach is acceptable for larger molecules. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The reactions of Cl+ (3P) and Cl+ (1D) with hydrogen sulphide. A G2 molecular orbital study

G2 ab initio molecular orbital calculations have been performed to study the potential energy surfaces (PESs) associated with the reactions of Cl⁺ in its ³P ground state and in its ¹D first excited state with hydrogen sulphide. [H₂, Cl, S]⁺ singlet and triplet state cations present very different bonding characteristics. The latter are systematically ion-dipole or hydrogen-bonded weakly bound species, while the former are covalent molecular ions. As a consequence, although the Cl⁺(³P) is 34.5 kcal mol^?1 more stable than Cl⁺(¹D), the global minimum of the singlet PES lies 37.3 kcal mol^?1 below the global minimum of the triplet PES. Both singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces show significant differences with respect to those associated with Cl⁺ + H₂O reactions as well as with SH₂ reactions with F⁺. In both cases, the major product should be SH⁺ ₂; SH⁺ and HCl⁺ being the minor products, in agreement with the experimental evidence. The estimated heat of formation for the most stable H₂SCl⁺ singlet state species is 198 ± 1 kcal mol^?1.     

The structure and vibrational features of proton disolvates in water–ethanol solutions of HCl: the combined spectroscopic and theoretical study

The infrared (IR) spectra of water–ethanol (EtOH) solutions of HCl are measured over a wide range of acid concentration at fixed H₂O―EtOH ratios (1 : 1, 1 : 2, and 1 : 40). In these systems, different proton disolvates with (quasi)symmetrical H‐bonds are formed. Their structure and vibrational features are revealed by the density functional theory method coupled with the polarizable continuum model of solvation. In dilute acidic solutions, the Zundel‐type H₅O₂⁺ ion is mainly formed. In concentrated HCl solutions, the ions (H₂O···H···O(H)Et)⁺ and (Et(H)O···H···O(H)Et)⁺ with the quasi‐symmetrical O···H⁺···O unit having O···O separation <2.45 Å appear. The first ion characterized by the IR‐intensive band around 1800 cm^?1 is mainly formed in the 1 : 1 water–ethanol systems. The second ion exists in the 1 : 2 and 1 : 40 water–ethanol systems. Its spectroscopic signatures are the groups of the IR‐intensive bands around 800 and 1050 cm^?1. In highly concentrated HCl solutions with the 1 : 40 water–ethanol ratio, a neutral Et(H)O···H⁺···Cl^? complex exists. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A remarkable difference in the deprotonation steps of the Friedel–Crafts acylation and alkylation reactions

Friedel–Crafts acylation and alkylation reactions were investigated using density functional theory calculations. The reaction systems studied were (benzene + acetyl chloride + Al₂Cl₆ (or AlCl₃)) and (benzene + 2‐chloropropane + Al₂Cl₆). In the acylation reaction, the acylium ion intermediate is reached either via a Me? C(Cl)?O? Al₂Cl₆ complex or via direct Cl transfer: Me? C(?O)Cl? Al₂Cl₆ → Me? C?O^?+? Al₂Cl. The ion adds to benzene electrophilically to form a Wheland intermediate containing a strong C? H? Cl hydrogen bond, which leads to deprotonation and the subsequent formation of acetophenone. The resulting H? Cl? Al₂Cl₆ fragment is subjected to a nucleophilic attack by the carbonyl oxygen of the acetophenone, and recovery of the Al₂Cl₆ bridge is unlikely. Attack of the Al₂Cl₆ moiety by Me? C(Cl)?O gives the complex Me? C(Cl)?O–AlCl₃, whose reactivity toward acylation is similar to that of the Me? C(Cl)?O–Al₂Cl₆ complex. In the alkylation reaction, deprotonation does not take place, but rather a [1,2] H‐shift from the Wheland intermediate. The resulting α‐protonated cumene undergoes deprotonation, with subsequent recovery of the Al₂Cl₆ bridge. In addition, the Al₂Cl₆‐catalyzed isomerization of the n‐propyl to the isopropyl cation was found to be a dyotropic shift. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rigid lattice NMR spectra of fast proton conductors H2Sb4O11-nH2O

Hydrated antimonic acids H₂Sb₄O₁₁ · 2H₂O and H₂Sb₄O₁₁ · 3H₂O are fast proton conductors with the same (Sb₄O₁₁)^2-covalent framework delimiting intercrossing channels. Using proton magnetic resonance in the very low temperature rigid-lattice regime we show that the channels of the structure are occupied by three species: oxonium ions (H₃O⁺), water molecules (H₂O) and hydroxylic protons (OH) attached to the framework. Quantitative analysis of the experimental spectra lead to a rewriting of the chemical formula, as (H₃O)_xSb₄O_11-y(OH)_y · zH₂O with x,y and z depending on the hydration state. Coexistence of oxonium ions and water molecules is compatible with the assumption of a Grotthuss-type mechanism for proton diffusion. Nuclear magnetic resonance of the completely dehydrated compound H₂Sb₄O₁₁ is also reported. The value of the second moment of the proton resonance line indicates that in this compound all the protons are attached to the (Sb₄O₁₁)^2- framework.     

Calculation of anharmonic effects in the unimolecular dissociation of M2+(H2O)2 (M = Be,Mg, and Ca)

The anharmonic and harmonic rate constants of the unimolecular dissociation of M²⁺(H₂O)₂ (M = Be, Mg, and Ca) were calculated using the Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus theory. The anharmonic effects of the reactions were investigated. The results show that the energy barrier of the dissociation of Be²⁺(H₂O)₂ is 68.47 kcal/mol, and the anharmonic (T_4000K = 4.28×10⁸ s^?1) and harmonic (T_4000K = 4.22×10⁸ s^?1) rate constants were close in value in both the canonical and microcanonical systems. The energy barriers of the two steps for the dissociation, Mg²⁺(H₂O)₂ → MgOH⁺+H₃O⁺, were 37.41 and 11.39 kcal/mol, and those for the dissociation, Ca²⁺(H₂O)₂ → CaOH⁺+H₃O⁺, were 21.15 and 26.42 kcal/mol. The anharmonic effect of the two reactions is significant and cannot be neglected in both the canonical and microcanonical systems. The comparison also shows that the rate constants of the dissociation of Ca²⁺(H₂O)₂ have the maximum values, while those of Be²⁺(H₂O)₂ have the minimum values in the three reactions; however, the anharmonic effect also shows the similar trend in the comparison.     

Structure and thermodynamic properties of positive and negative cluster ions in saturated vapour over barium dichloride

Geometrical structure, vibration spectra, and enthalpies of dissociation have been investigated for the ions BaCl₃^?, Ba₂Cl₃⁺, Ba₃Cl₅⁺, and Ba₄Cl₇⁺ which were detected earlier in the saturated vapour over BaCl₂. Quantum chemical methods of density functional theory, the second and the fourth order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory have been applied. The effective core potential with cc-pVTZ basis set for barium atom and two full-electron basis sets including the diffuse and polarised basis functions for chlorine atom were used. The effect of the basis set size and the computation method on the results was analysed. According to the results, all the ions possess the compact shaped structure. The equilibrium geometrical structures were found as follows: the planar D_3h for BaCl₃^?, triple bridged bipyramidal D_3h for Ba₂Cl₃⁺, hexabridged D_3h for Ba₃Cl₅⁺, and septuple bridged C_2v for Ba₄Cl₇⁺. For positive ions, the different isomeric structures were considered, but no isomers for these ions have been found. The geometrical parameters and vibration frequencies were utilised for computing of thermodynamic functions of the ions, and then the thermodynamic functions were used for the treatment of the experimental mass spectrometric data. The enthalpies of formation Δ_fH°(0 K) of the ions were determined (in kJ/mol): ?994 ± 6 (BaCl₃^?), ?481 ± 10 (Ba₂Cl₃⁺), ?1276 ± 14 (Ba₃Cl₅⁺), ?2048 ± 35 (Ba₄Cl₇⁺).     

Acid‐base properties and supramolecular structure of N‐[(hydroxymethyl)triazolyl]triflamides: DFT,ab initio,and FTIR study

For N‐{[2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐2H‐1,2,3‐triazolyl‐4‐yl]methyl}triflamide 1 , N‐{[2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐2H‐1,2,3‐triazolyl‐4‐yl]methyl}‐N‐phenyltriflamide 2 , and N,N‐bis{[2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐2H‐1,2,3‐triazolyl‐4‐yl]methyl}triflamide 3 , the proton affinities of the triazole nitrogen atoms and the hydroxy and sulfonyl oxygen atoms as well as the energies of formation of the conformers with intramolecular H‐bonds and dimers with intermolecular NH?N, OH?N, OH?O═S, and NH?O═S H‐bonds were calculated by density functional theory and second‐order Møller‐Plesset perturbation methods. Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules analysis was performed to investigate the nature of H‐bonds. According to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, in CH₂Cl₂ solution, the monomeric molecules of 1 to 3 exist in the equilibrium with cyclic dimers having the OH?N hydrogen bonds.     

Facile fabrication of Zn/Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O flower-like nanostructure on the surface of Zn coated with poly (N-methyl pyrrole)

Zn/Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂·H₂O flower-like nanostructures was electrodeposited on the coated Zn with poly (N-methyl pyrrole) in 0.1 M Zn (NO₃)₂ and 0.1 M KCl solution. The morphology and the structure of the Zn/Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂·H₂O were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The FT-IR results showed special peaks at 908 and 728 cm⁻¹ related to Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂·H₂O. The FESEM results indicated that Zn/Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂·H₂O consists of a flower-like nanostructure and these flower-shaped structures contain many shaped nanopetals with the thickness of 27.8 nm. The XRD result confirmed that the major phase of electrodeposited product in 0.1 M KCl as supporting electrolyte was Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂·H₂O. The ability of PMPy to create a thin film and the existence of several pores in its matrix act as a mold for the growth of Zn/Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂·H₂O flower-like nanostructure. The trapping of Cl⁻ and OH⁻ within pores can be considered as the reason for the formation of flowerlike Zn/Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂·H₂O nanostructures in 0.1 M KCl.