Formation of a tetra-sigma-bonded intermediate in acetylethyne binding on Si(100)-2 x 1

The covalent binding of acetylethyne on Si(100)-2 x 1 has been investigated using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The HREELS spectra of chemisorbed monolayers show the absence of the C=O, C[triple bond]C, and C(sp)-H stretching modes coupled with the appearance of C=C (at 1580 cm(-1)) and C(sp2)-H (at 3067 cm(-1)) stretching modes. This demonstrates that both of the C=O and CC groups of acetylethyne directly participate in binding with silicon surfaces to form C-O and C=C bonds, respectively, which is further confirmed by the XPS studies. A tetra-sigma-binding configuration through two [2 + 2]-like cycloaddition reactions in acetylethyne binding on Si(100) is proposed to account for the experimental observation. The cycloadduct containing a C=C double bond may be employed as an intermediate for further in situ chemical syntheses of multilayer organic thin films or surface functionalization.     

Selective formation of cumulative double bonds (C[double bond]C[double bond]N) in the attachment of multifunctional molecules on Si(111)-7 x 7

The cumulative double bond (C[double bond]C[double bond]N), an important intermediate in synthetic organic chemistry, was successfully prepared via the selective attachment of acrylonitrile to Si(111)-7 x 7. The covalent binding of acrylonitrile on Si(111)-7 x 7 was studied using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and DFT calculations. The observation of the characteristic vibrational modes and electronic structures of the C[double bond]C[double bond]N group in the surface species demonstrates the [4 + 2]-like cycloaddition occurring between the terminal C and N atoms of acrylonitrile and the neighboring adatom-rest atom pair, consistent with the prediction of DFT calculations. STM studies further show the preferential binding of acrylonitrile on the center adatom sites of faulted halves of Si(111)-7 x 7 unit cells.     

Selective binding of the cyano group in acrylonitrile adsorption on Si(100)-2 x 1

The covalent binding of acrylonitrile (CH(2)=CH-C triple bond N) and the formation of a C=C-C=N structure on Si(100) have been investigated using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. For chemisorbed acrylonitrile, the absence of nu(C triple bond N) at 2245 cm(-1) and the appearance of nu(C=N) at 1669 cm(-1) demonstrate that the cyano group directly participates in the interaction with Si(100), which is further supported by XPS and UPS observations. Our experimental results and DFT calculations unambiguously demonstrate a [2 + 2] cycloaddition mechanism for acrylonitrile chemisorption on Si(100) through the binding of C triple bond N to Si dimers. The resulting chemisorbed monolayer with a C=C-C=N skeleton can serve as a precursor for further chemical syntheses of multilayer organic thin films in a vacuum and surface functionalization for in situ device fabrication.     

A [4+2]-like cycloaddition of methyl methacrylate on Si(100)-2 x 1

The attachment of methyl methacrylate (MMA) on Si(100)-2x1 was investigated using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The HREELS spectra of chemisorbed MMA show the disappearance of characteristic vibrations of C=O (1725 cm(-1)) and C(sp(2))-H (3110, 1400, and 962 cm(-1)) coupled with the blue shift of the C=C stretching mode by 34 cm(-1) compared to those of physisorbed molecules. These results clearly demonstrate that both C=C and C=O in MMA directly participate in the interaction with the surface to form a SiCH(2)C(CH(3))=C(OCH(3))OSi species via a [4+2]-like cycloaddition. This binding configuration was further supported by XPS, UPS, and DFT studies.     

Adsorption and Reaction of CO on Mo(100)-c(2×2)-N Surface Studied by HREELS

Molybdenum nitrides have attracted significant attention recently due to their uniquephysical and chemical properties. Many studies have shown that Mo,N is an activecatalyst for CO hydrogenation. The fundamental understanding concerning the reactionmechanisms over Mo=N. however, is not well established. The powerful surface sciencetechniques may provide an insight into the surface structure and properties of such animportant catalytic material. In previous paper', we described the results o…     

Detection of C-Si covalent bond in CH3 adsorbate formed by chemical reaction of CH3MgBr and H:Si(111)

High-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) yielded evidence for the formation of single covalent bonds between Si(111) surface atoms and CH(3) groups from the reaction of CH(3)MgBr and hydrogen-terminated H:Si(111)(1 x 1). The vibration at 678 cm(-)(1), assigned to the C-Si bond, was isolated within the spectrum of CH(3) on deuterium-terminated D:Si(111)(1 x 1). The CH(3) groups were thermally stable at temperatures below 600 K. The C-Si bonds are essential for enhancing the usefulness of alkyl moieties, which will lead to a new prospective technology of nanoscale fabrication and biochemical application.     

HREELS, STM, and STS study of CH(3)-terminated Si(111)-(1x1) surface

An ideally (1x1)-CH(3)(methyl)-terminated Si(111) surface was composed by Grignard reaction of photochlorinated Si(111) and the surface structure was for the first time confirmed by Auger electron spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). HREELS revealed the vibration modes associated to the CH(3)-group as well as the C-Si bond. STM discerned an adlattice with (1x1) periodicity on Si(111) composed of protrusions with internal features, covering all surface terraces. The surface structure was confirmed to be stable at temperatures below 600 K. STS showed that an occupied-state band exists at gap voltage of -1.57 eV, generated by the surface CH(3) adlattice. This CH(3):Si(111)-(1x1) adlayer with high stability and unique electronic property is prospective for applications such as nanoscale lithography and advanced electrochemistry.     

Geometric and Electronic Structures of Pyrazine Molecule Chemisorbed on Si(100) Surface by XPS and NEXAFS Spectroscopy

The geometric and electronic structures of several possible adsorption configurations of the pyrazine ({C\begin{document}$ _{4} $\end{document}}{H\begin{document}$ _{4} $\end{document}}{N\begin{document}$ _{2} $\end{document}}) molecule covalently attached to Si(100) surface, which is of vital importance in fabricating functional nano-devices, have been investigated using X-ray spectroscopies. The Carbon K-shell (1s) X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy of predicted adsorbed structures have been simulated by density functional theory with cluster model calculations. Both XPS and NEXAFS spectra demonstrate the structural dependence on different adsorption configurations. In contrast to the XPS spectra, it is found that the NEXAFS spectra exhibiting conspicuous dependence on the structures of all the studied pyrazine/Si(100) systems can be well utilized for structural identification. In addition, according to the classification of carbon atoms, the spectral components of carbon atoms in different chemical environments have been investigated in the NEXAFS spectra as well.     

Binding mechanisms of methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate on si(111)-7 x 7 -- effect of substitution groups

The interaction of methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate with Si(111)-7 x 7 has been investigated using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). While methacrylic acid chemisorbs dissociatively through O-H bond cleavage, methyl methacrylate is covalently attached to the silicon surface via a [4+2] cycloaddition. The different reaction pathways of these two compounds on Si(111)-7 x 7 demonstrate that the substitution groups play an important role in determining the reaction channels for multifunctional molecules, leading to the desired flexibility in the organic modification of silicon surfaces.     

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the stability of Pt-3d-Pt(111) bimetallic surfaces under oxygen environment

The stability of the Pt-3d-Pt(111) (3d = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, or Ni) bimetallic surface structures in the presence of adsorbed oxygen has been investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT). The dissociative binding energies of oxygen on Pt-3d-Pt(111) (i.e., subsurface 3d monolayer) and 3d-Pt-Pt(111) (i.e., surface 3d monolayer) were calculated. All of the Pt-3d-Pt(111) surfaces were found to have weaker oxygen binding energies than pure Pt(111) whereas all of the 3d-Pt-Pt(111) surfaces were found to have stronger oxygen binding energies than pure Pt(111). The total heat of reaction was calculated for the segregation for 3d metal atoms from Pt-3d-Pt(111) to 3d-Pt-Pt(111) when exposed to a half monolayer of oxygen. All of the Pt-3d-Pt(111) subsurface structures were predicted to be thermodynamically unstable with adsorbed oxygen. In addition, the segregation of subsurface Ni and Co to the surfaces of Pt-Ni-Pt(111) and Pt-Co-Pt(111) was investigated experimentally using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). AES and HREELS confirmed the trend predicted by DFT modeling and showed that both the Pt-Ni-Pt(111) and Pt-Co-Pt(111) surface structures were unstable in the presence of adsorbed oxygen. The activation barrier of the segregation of surbsurface Ni and Co atoms was determined to be 15 +/- 2 and 7 +/- 1 kcal/mol, respectively. These results are further discussed for their implication in the design and selection of cathode bimetallic electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in polymer electrode membrane (PEM) fuel cells.     

Adsorption of triethygermane on Si(100): thermal and nonthermal channels for ethyl ligand removal/dissociation

Adsorption of triethylgemane (TEG) on the Si(100) surface at 100 K has been studied using a variety of surface‐sensitive spectroscopies. Thermally and electronically desorbed species were analyzed using temperature‐programmed desorption (TPD) and electron‐stimulated desorption (ESD) techniques. Electronically desorbed ions (H⁺) were analyzed using a time‐of‐flight technique (TOF) and time evolution studies were conducted on desorbing neutral species. Direct analysis of surface species were carried out using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and high‐resolution electron energy loss (HREELS) spectroscopy. Evidence is offered for (1) an electron‐induced channel for direct ethylene desorption via a β‐hydride elimination process; (2) an electron‐stimulated transfer of ethyl ligands from a Ge to a Si site; and (3) both thermal‐ and electron‐stimulated desorption of methyl groups. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temperature-dependent electronic and vibrational structure of the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide room-temperature ionic liquid surface: a study with XPS, UPS, MIES, and HREELS

The near-surface structure of the room-temperature ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide has been investigated as a function of temperature between 100 and 620 K. We used a combination of photoelectron spectroscopies (XPS and UPS), metastable induced electron spectroscopy (MIES), and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). The valence band and HREELS spectra are interpreted on the basis of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. At room temperature, the most pronounced structures in the HREELS, UPS, and MIES spectra are related to the CF3 group in the anion. Spectral changes observed at 100 K are interpreted as a change of the molecular orientation at the outermost surface, when the temperature is lowered. At elevated temperatures, early volatilization, starting at 350 K, is observed under reduced pressure.     

清洁及部分氧化的Ni_3Ti(0001)表面CO吸附的HREELS研究

用离子散射谱（ＩＳＳ）、俄歇电子能谱（ＡＥＳ）及低能电子衍射（ＬＥＥＤ）技术对Ｎｉ３Ｔｉ（０００１）表面结构与组成进行考察后，主要采用高分辨电子能量损失谱（ＨＲＥＥＬＳ），以ＣＯ为探针分子，研究了清洁及部分氧化的Ｎｉ３Ｔｉ（０００１）表面上Ｎｉ，Ｔｉ间的相互作用及对ＣＯ吸附态的影响．结果表明：（１）在最表层几乎完全为Ｎｉ的Ｎｉ３Ｔｉ（０００１）清洁规整表面上，ＣＯ没有发生解离；（２）次表层Ｔｉ原子与最表层Ｎｉ原子间的电子相互作用，使初始吸附的ＣＯ伸缩振动与Ｎｉ（１１１）相比向低频位移约６０ｃｍ－１；（３）适量ＣＯ暴露后，ＣＯ氧端与近邻Ｔｉ原子的成键作用产生了一种新的Ｎｉｘ－Ｃ－Ｏ－Ｔｉｙ物种．Ｎｉ３Ｔｉ（０００１）表面部分氧化后，上述（２）和（３）作用消失     

HREELS to identify electronic structures of organic thin films

The electronic structure of alpha-oligothiophene (alphanT) thin films has been investigated for increasing chain lengths of n= 4-8 thiophene units with high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) in the specular reflection geometry at a primary energy of 15 eV. The great advantage of this technique in contrast to UV/VIS absorption spectroscopy results from the fact, that the impact scattering mechanism of HREELS makes it possible to also detect optically forbidden electronic transitions. On the other hand, the electrons used as probes in HREELS have a wavelength which is two orders of magnitudes smaller if compared to those of photons used in UV/VIS absorption spectroscopy. Therefore individual molecules are excited by HREELS independent from each other and hence the excitation of collective excitons is not possible. As a result, information about the orientation of the molecules cannot be achieved with HREELS, which, however, is possible in polarization-dependent UV/VIS spectroscopy.     

Spectroscopic evidence for the partial dissociation of H2O on ZnO(1010)

The interaction of water with the non-polar ZnO(1010) surface has been studied by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). Adsorption of water at room temperature leads to the partial dissociation of water molecules giving rise to a well defined (2x1) superstructure. This observation was confirmed by the HREELS data which show the water-induced O-H stretching modes at 396 and 460 meV (3193 and 3709 cm-1) as well as the peak at 456 meV (3677 cm-1) arising from the OH species. The large red shift of the loss at 396 meV indicates unusually strong hydrogen bonding interactions of water to both neighbouring adsorbate molecules and the surface O atoms which are responsible for the partial dissociation of water molecules on the perfect ZnO(1010) surface.     

Adsorption and Diffusion of O Atoms on Ag（210） Stepped Surface

The O-Ag(210)surface adsorption system was studied via the five-parameter Morse potential theory.Meanwhile,the 2O-Ag(210)system was investigated via the extended London-Eyring-Polanyi-Sato(LEPS)potential theory to learn the interaction between the adsorption states.Calculated results demonstrate that there are two stable on-surface adsorption sites(B and H)for O atoms on Ag(210)stepped surface.And the perpendicular vibrations are 30.3 and 42.9 meV,which are close to that observed in high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy(HREELS).Also,there exists an octahedral subsurface adsorption state with a high vibrational frequency,and the interaction between the on-surface and subsurface O species is slight.The mode at 54.6 meV,which is close to that observed in HREELS(54-56 meV),is because of the vibration of the O atom on B site under the influence of that on H site.     

Vibrational characterization of different benzene phases on flat and vicinal Si(100) surfaces

Based on high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy and temperature-programmable desorption, benzene chemisorption on vicinal and nominally flat Si(100) surfaces has been studied for various adsorption, annealing, and site blocking treatments. Three different chemisorbed benzene (C6H6 and C6D6) phases with distinct thermal desorption characteristics and different vibrational spectra have been separated and characterized on both substrates. All three phases are identified as 1,4-cyclohexadiene-like structures with butterfly geometry. Whereas the dominant phase is di-sigma bonded to the two Si atoms of a single Si-Si dimer, the benzene orientation (double bond orientation) in the other phases is rotated. Di-sigma bonding to Si atoms of adjacent Si-Si dimer for the latter cases is most likely. Coverage and temperature dependent conversions between the different phases have been addressed by vibrational spectroscopy.     

Investigation on the orderly growth of thick zinc phthalocyanine films on Ag(100) surface

The growth of zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) on Ag(100) surface from monolayer to multilayer was investigated by low-energy electron diffraction, x-ray diffraction, and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). At monolayer coverage, ZnPc molecules form an ordered film with molecular planes parallel to the substrate. The same structure is maintained as the film thickness increases. HREELS analysis shows that intermolecular π-π interaction dominates during the film growth from monolayer to multilayer. The π-d interaction between the adsorbates and the substrate is only applicable in the first adlayer. Stronger intermolecular-layer interaction is observed at higher coverages.     

High-resolution electron-energy-loss spectroscopy of surface and interface phonons in multilayered materials

Long-wavelength surface and interface phonons have been investigated by high-resolution electron-energy-loss spectroscopy (HREELS) in two heterostructures grown by molecular-beam epitaxy. The first system is a CaF₂ insulating layer on Si(1 1 1), while the second consists of GaAs/AlAs superlattices grown on a thick GaAs(0 0 1) substrate. The HREELS experimental results are successfully explained by the dielectric theory, with some refinements brought about by lattice dynamics calculations.     

Molecular orientation and film morphology of pentacene on native silicon oxide surface

The growth morphology and mechanism of pentacene films on native Si oxide surface have been studied by using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Despite the good agreement between our own and the reported XRD results, the previous XRD interpretation that the pentacene molecules are tilt-standing on the substrate cannot explain our HREELS data. The HREELS results show that a substantial portion of the first two layers of pentacene molecules are tilted-standing or randomly oriented, whereas the upper-layer molecules are mostly lying flat to the substrate. AFM reveals that the first two layers of molecules form a flat and smooth surface, but the upper layers show a rough terrace structure with a mean-square roughness equal to the average thickness (without counting the first two layers). This relationship is explained by a theoretical model which assumes the pentacene molecules to remain on a particular molecule layer after arrival. The observed film growth morphology may have significant implication on the performance of electronic devices based on pentacene thin films. A plausible explanation was proposed for the discrepancy between the HREELS-indicated and the XRD-derived molecular orientations.