Adsorption and decomposition of cyclohexanone (C6H10O) on Pt(111) and the (2 × 2) and (√3 × √3)r30°-Sn/Pt(111) surface alloys

Adsorption and decomposition of cyclohexanone (C(6)H(10)O) on Pt(111) and on two ordered Pt-Sn surface alloys, (2 × 2)-Sn/Pt(111) and (√3 × √3)R30°-Sn/Pt(111), formed by vapor deposition of Sn on the Pt(111) single crystal surface were studied with TPD, HREELS, AES, LEED, and DFT calculations with vibrational analyses. Saturation coverage of C(6)H(10)O was found to be 0.25 ML, independent of the Sn surface concentration. The Pt(111) surface was reactive toward cyclohexanone, with the adsorption in the monolayer being about 70% irreversible. C(6)H(10)O decomposed to yield CO, H(2)O, H(2), and CH(4). Some C-O bond breaking occurred, yielding H(2)O and leaving some carbon on the surface after TPD. HREELS data showed that cyclohexanone decomposition in the monolayer began by 200 K. Intermediates from cyclohexanone decomposition were also relatively unstable on Pt(111), since coadsorbed CO and H were formed below 250 K. Surface Sn allowed for some cyclohexanone to adsorb reversibly. C(6)H(10)O dissociated on the (2 × 2) surface to form CO and H(2)O at low coverages, and methane and H(2) in smaller amounts than on Pt(111). Adsorption of cyclohexanone on (√3 × √3)R30°-Sn/Pt(111) at 90 K was mostly reversible. DFT calculations suggest that C(6)H(10)O adsorbs on Pt(111) in two configurations: by bonding weakly through oxygen to an atop Pt site and more strongly through simultaneously oxygen and carbon of the carbonyl to a bridged Pt-Pt site. In contrast, on alloy surfaces, C(6)H(10)O bonds preferentially to Sn. The presence of Sn, furthermore, is predicted to make the formation of the strongly bound C(6)H(10)O species bonding through O and C, which is a likely decomposition precursor, thermodynamically unfavorable. Alloying with Sn, thus, is shown to moderate adsorptive and reactive activity of Pt(111).     

Probing the buried Pb/Si(111) interface with SPA LEED and STM on Si(111)-Pbα√3×√3

High resolution spot profile analysis low energy electron diffraction (SPA-LEED) and variable temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) have been used to observe the growth of Pb on the Pb/Si(111)-α√3×√3 phase, which is driven by quantum size effects (QSE). A change in the rotation of the Pb grown islands with respect to the Si substrate has been observed with increasing coverage θ. At lower coverage, separated two-step islands are grown and are aligned with the [110] axis of the substrate. With increasing coverage above 1.5 ML, of the islands coalesce and form a bilayer, with additional islands grown on top. The preferred Pb island orientation changes to 5.6° with respect to the [110] direction. These changes at the metal/semiconductor buried interface are obtained both with SPA LEED and STM as changes to the period of the Moire pattern. The method of analysis of the corrugation period and rotation angle of the Moire pattern measured with diffraction and STM can be applied to obtain the structure of buried metal/substrate interfaces in other epitaxial systems.     

Modulating the light switch by (3)MLCT-(3)ππ* state interconversion

The spectroscopic, electronic, and DNA-binding characteristics of two novel ruthenium complexes based on the dialkynyl ligands 2,3-bis(phenylethynyl)-1,4,8,9-tetraaza-triphenylene (bptt, 1) and 2,3-bis(4-tert-butyl-phenylethynyl)-1,4,8,9-tetraaza-triphenylene (tbptt, 2) have been investigated. Electronic structure calculations of bptt reveal that the frontier molecular orbitals are localized on the pyrazine-dialkynyl portion of the free ligand, a property that is reflected in a red shift of the lowest energy electronic transition (1: λ(max) = 393 nm) upon substitution at the terminal phenyl groups (2: λ(max) = 398 nm). Upon coordination to ruthenium, the low-energy ligand-centered transitions of 1 and 2 are retained, and metal-to-ligand charge transfer transitions (MLCT) centered at λ(max) = 450 nm are observed for [Ru(phen)(2)bptt](2+)(3) and [Ru(phen)(2)tbptt](2+)(4). The photophysical characteristics of 3 and 4 in ethanol closely parallel those observed for [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) and [Ru(phen)(3)](2+), indicating that the MLCT excited state is primarily localized within the [Ru(phen)(3)](2+) manifold of 3 and 4, and is only sparingly affected by the extended conjugation of the bptt framework. In an aqueous environment, 3 and 4 possess notably small luminescence quantum yields (3: ?(H(2)O) = 0.005, 4: ?(H(2)O) = 0.011) and biexponential decay kinetics (3: τ(1) = 40 ns, τ(2) = 230 ns; 4: τ(1) ～ 26 ns, τ(2) = 150 ns). Addition of CT-DNA to an aqueous solution of 3 causes a significant increase in the luminescence quantum yield (?(DNA) = 0.045), while the quantum yield of 4 is relatively unaffected (?(DNA) = 0.013). The differential behavior demonstrates that tert-butyl substitution on the terminal phenyl groups inhibits the ability of 4 to intercalate with DNA. Such changes in intrinsic luminescence demonstrate that 3 binds to DNA via intercalation (K(b) = 3.3 × 10(4) M(-1)). The origin of this light switch behavior involves two competing (3)MLCT states similar to that of the extensively studied light switch molecule [Ru(phen)(2)dppz](2+). The solvent- and temperature-dependence of the luminescence of 3 reveal that the extended ligand aromaticity lowers the energy of the (3)ππ* excited state into competition with the emitting (3)MLCT state. Interconversion between these two states plays a significant role in the observed photophysics and is responsible for the dual emission in aqueous environments.     

Disulfide passivation of the Ge(100)-2 × 1 surface

Understanding the bonding of sulfur at the germanium surface is important to developing good passivation routes for germanium-based electronic devices. The adsorption behavior of ethyl disulfide (EDS) and 1,8-naphthalene disulfide (NDS) at the Ge(100)-2 × 1 surface has been studied under ultrahigh vacuum conditions to investigate both their fundamental reactivity and their effectiveness as passivants of this surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, multiple internal reflection-infrared spectroscopy, and density functional theory results indicate that both molecules adsorb via S-S dissociation at room temperature. Upon exposure to ambient air, the thiolate adlayer remains intact for both EDS- and NDS-functionalized surfaces, indicating the stability of this surface attachment. Although both systems resist oxidation compared to the bare Ge(100)-2 × 1 surface, the Ge substrate is significantly oxidized in all cases (17-57% relative to the control), with the NDS-passivated surface undergoing up to two times more oxidation than the EDS-passivated surface at the longest air exposure times studied. The difference in passivation capability is attributed to the difference in surface coverage on Ge(100)-2 × 1, where EDS adsorption leads to a saturation coverage 17% higher than that for NDS/Ge(100)-2 × 1.     

Augmentation of the Generalised n×n Eigenvalue Equation to a Generalised (n+1)×(n+1) Eigenvalue Equation

Generalised n×n eigenvalue equation B| _i = _i S ^b | _i (i=1,...,n) where B and S ^b are n×n Hermitian matrices while S ^b is in addition positive definite is considered. This equation is augmented to a generalised (n+1)(n+1) eigenvalue equation H| _k = _k S| _k (k=1,...,n+1) where Hermitian matrices H and S represent matrices B and S ^b , respectively, augmented by one additional row and one additional column. It is shown how the eigenvalues _k and the eigenvectors | _k of the augmented eigenvalue equation can be expressed in terms of the eigenvalues _i and the eigenvectors | _i of the original eigenvalue equation. Operation count to obtain by this method all augmented eigenvalues and eigenvectors is of the order O(n ²). Unless matrices involved are of some special kind such as sparse matrices or alike, this operation count is one order of magnitude smaller than operation count required by other presently known methods. In many practical cases operation count to obtain a single selected eigenvalue and/or eigenvector by this method is of the order O(n). In the case of the generalised eigenvalue equation, all other methods usually require again O(n ³) operations, even if only a single eigenvalue and/or eigenvector is required. Thus in many cases of interest operation count to obtain a selected eigenvalue and/or eigenvector by this method is two orders of magnitude smaller than operation count required by other methods.     

Ab initio study of the HCO 3 − /H2O exchange in the (NH3)3 ZnII(HCO 3 − ) complex

Summary The displacement of bicarbonate anion in the (NH₃)₃Zn^II(HCO ₃ ^– ) complex with water has been studied throughab initio calculations. It has been found that H₂O binds to the (NH₃)₃Zn^II(HCO ₃ ^– ) species yielding a stable pentacoordinate (NH₃)₃Zn^II(HCO ₃ ^– )(H₂O) complex. The results also indicate that deprotonation of water in the pentacoordinate species facilitates the release of HCO ₃ ^– , although, the presence of HCO ₃ ^– in the coordination sphere of Zn^II makes such deprotonation more difficult. Environmental effects have been considered in the study of HCO ₃ ^– /H₂O exchange.A contribution from the Grup de Química Quàntica de l'Institut d'Estudis Catalans     

H atom adsorption and diffusion on Si(110)-(1×1) and (2×1) surfaces

We present a periodic density-functional study of hydrogen adsorption and diffusion on the Si(110)-(1×1) and (2×1) surfaces, and identify a local reconstruction that stabilizes the clean Si(110)-(1×1) by 0.51 eV. Hydrogen saturates the dangling bonds of surface Si atoms on both reconstructions and the different structures can be identified from their simulated scanning tunneling microscopy/current image tunneling spectroscopy (STM/CITS) images. Hydrogen diffusion on both reconstructions will proceed preferentially along zigzag rows, in between two adjacent rows. The mobility of the hydrogen atom is higher on the (2×1) reconstruction. Diffusion of a hydrogen vacancy on a monohydride Si(110) surface will proceed along one zigzag row and is slightly more difficult (0.2 eV and 0.6 eV on (1×1) and (2×1), respectively) than hydrogen atom diffusion on the clean surface.     

Probing the aromaticity of the [(H(t)Ac)3(μ2-H)6], [(H(t)Th)3(μ2-H)6],(+), and [(H(t)Pa)3(μ2-H)6] clusters

In this study we report about the aromaticity of the prototypical [(H(t)Ac)(3)(μ(2)-H)(6)], [(H(t)Th)(3)(μ(2)-H)(6)](+), and [(H(t)Pa)(3)(μ(2)-H)(6)] clusters via two magnetic criteria: nucleus-independent chemical shifts (NICS) and the magnetically induced current density. All-electron density functional theory calculations were carried out using the two-component zeroth-order regular approach and the four-component Dirac-Coulomb Hamiltonian, including scalar and spin-orbit relativistic effects. Four-component current density maps and the integration of induced ring-current susceptibilities clearly show that the clusters [(H(t)Ac)(3)(μ(2)-H)(6)] and [(H(t)Th)(3)(μ(2)-H)(6)](+) are non-aromatic whereas [(H(t)Pa)(3)(μ(2)-H)(6)] is anti-aromatic. However, for the thorium cluster we find a discrepancy between the current density plots and the classification through the NICS index. Our results also demonstrate the increasing influence of f orbitals, on bonding and magnetic properties, with increasing atomic number in these clusters. We think that the enhanced electron mobility in [(H(t)Pa)(3)(μ(2)-H)(6)] is due the significant 5f character of its valence shell. Also the participation of f orbitals in bonding is the reason why the protactinium cluster has the shortest bond lengths of the three clusters. This study provides another example showing that the magnetically induced current density approach can give more reliable results than the NICS index.     

Theoretical study of the energetics of the O3(X̃ 1A1) → O2(X 3Σ−g) + O(3P) dissociation process

The dissociation energy (D_e) for the O₃(X̃ ¹A₁) → O₂(X ³Σ⁻_g) + O(³P) process is computed using MC SCF, CI, MBPT, and CCD methods. A full-valence MC SCF calculation utilizing a [9s5p3d1f/5s3p2d1f] basis set yields a D_e value of 0.43 eV, far below the experimental value of 1.13 eV, demonstrating the importance of correlation effects involving non-valence orbitals. A CI calculation in the same basis set allowing for all single and double excitations from three-reference configuration yields a D_e value of 0.72 eV. This value is increased to 1.06 eV when the Davidson correction is included. When the number of reference configurations is increased to eight, the resulting CI calculation gives a D_e value of 0.82 eV prior to the Davidson correction and 1.10 eV after this correction.     

Formation of ultracold Rb2 molecules in the v' = 0 level of the a(3)Σ+(u) state via blue-detuned photoassociation to the 1(3)Π(g) state

We report on the observation of blue-detuned photoassociation in Rb(2), in which vibrational levels are energetically above the corresponding excited atomic asymptote. (85)Rb atoms in a MOT were photoassociated at short internuclear distance to levels of the 1(3)Π(g) state at a rate of approximately 5 × 10(4) molecules s(-1). We have observed most of the predicted vibrational levels for all four spin-orbit components; 0(+)(g), 0(-)(g), 1(g), and 2(g), including levels of the 0(+)(g) outer well. These molecules decay to the metastable a(3)Σ(+)(u) state, some preferentially to the v' = 0 level, as we have observed for photoassociation to the v' = 8 level of the 1(g) component.     

Coexistence of √3 ×√3 and quasi-linear phases of sulfur adsorbed (Θ = 1/3) on a gold (111) substrate

We analyze with the aid of density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations the adsorption of sulfur (S) on a Au(111) surface at different temperatures with a variety of geometries. We have found a new superficial phase in which sulfur atoms form a quasi-linear chain with energies very close to the expected . The results suggest the coexistence of both configurations at T < 300 K. At high temperatures (T > 300 K) it was shown that the sulfur atoms have high mobility which allows their migration among different adsorption sites. At low temperatures, the mobility decreases and a thermal activation barrier of 25-30 meV can be estimated.     

The formation of the Ba(CuOx)1−y(CO3)y

Carbocuprate compounds are generally described as multiple perovskites with CO ₃ ² - and Cu-O alternating layers containing Ba and/or Sr; they have gained an unexpected importance in the high temperature superconductivity field, because many compounds with transition temperature above 100 K belong to this class of materials.We have started a systematic study on phase formation and stabilisation in the Ba-Cu-C-O system in the temperature range 20-600°C, by using thermal analysis techniques. Starting from a BaCO₃-BaO₂-CuO mixture (311 mol), a new phase isomorphic with BaCO₃ formed after heat treatment above 390°C in air. TG, DSC, EGA and high temperature XRD were employed to follow the complex interaction of the reactants with the atmosphere and the formation of the new phase.     

Theoretical Study of the C_(60)O_3 Isomers

WiththepreparationandisolationofC,,O.'moreandmoreattentionwaspaidtotheirstructuresandpropertiest').WooddetectedC,,O.firstwhentheypreparedC,,byvaporizinggraphite").Fromthenon,thelaboratoriesallovertheworldhavepreparedC6,O.byvariousmethodssuchasPhotoxidationt2-4),Electrochemicaloxi-dation[si,Ozonizationt7.83andChemicaladditiont6'12-14iandsoon.Accordingtothefollow-uptheoreticalstudiesforC,,O.,itisindicatedthattherearetwoisomersofC,,O:eithertheoxygenatomislocatedoverthe6/6bondtogeneratethe6/…     

Experimental studies of the NaCs 5(3)Π0 and 1(a)3Σ+ states

We report high resolution measurements of 372 NaCs 5(3)Π(0)(v, J) ro-vibrational level energies in the range 0 ≤ v ≤ 22. The data have been used to construct NaCs 5(3)Π(0) potential energy curves using the Rydberg-Klein-Rees and inverted perturbation approximation methods. Bound-free 5(3)Π(0)(v, J) → 1(a)(3)Σ(+) emission has also been measured, and is used to determine the repulsive wall of the 1(a)(3)Σ(+) state and the 5(3)Π(0) → 1(a)(3)Σ(+) relative transition dipole moment function. Hyperfine structure in the 5(3)Π(0) state has not been observed in this experiment. This null result is explained using a simple vector coupling model.     

The impact of upper cut-off voltages on the electrochemical behaviors of composite electrode 0.3Li(2)MnO(3)·0.7LiMn(1/3)Ni(1/3)Co(1/3)O(2)

This work has initiated an investigation on the electrochemical behaviors and the structure changes of the composite electrode 0.3Li(2)MnO(3)·0.7LiMn(1/3)Ni(1/3)Co(1/3)O(2) when charged with different cut-off voltages. It is found that the charge cut-off voltages could not only affect the capacity property and coulombic efficiency, but also alter the electrode kinetics of the composite. As a consequence, the electrochemical activation of the composite electrode is highly dependent on the charge cut-off voltages: when the charge cut-off voltage is higher than 4.5 V, the inert component Li(2)MnO(3) in the composite electrode is completely activated. At the meanwhile, there occurred an irreversible oxygen loss during the initial charge process, which yielded a hollow sphere in the electrode. Regardless of charge voltages, Mn ions in the composite electrode were presented in an oxidation state of +4, while Co(2+) ions were detected at the surface of the electrode when cycled at low voltages. Ni ions in the composite could react with organic or inorganic species and then cover the surface of the cycled electrode.     

Theoretical study of the geometry and electronic structure of the trinuclear [AunAgm (HNCOH)3] (m + n = 3) complex

The structures and properties of different gold and silver mixed-metal trinuclear complexes, [Au_nAg_m(HNCOH)₃] (m + n = 3), were investigated theoretically. The computed properties were compared with those of the [Au₃(HNCOH)₃] complex. The geometries of all complexes were optimized at the B3LYP level of theory using the GEN basis set. The optimization results revealed that the most stable structures of pure Au and Ag complexes are almost similar. In addition, all complexes are flat and highly symmetric. It was shown that the silver substitution had a significant influence on the electronic properties. The metal–metal distances were in the order of: Au–Au < Au–Ag < Ag–Ag. The ionization potential and hardness were found to be decreased while the electron affinity, HOMO–LUMO gap and chemical potential were found to be increased from the [Au₃(HNCOH)₃] to the [Ag₃(HNCOH)₃] complex. The [Au₃(HNCOH)₃] complex was the least reactive in the studied series with the electronic chemical potential equal to −3.98 eV. On the other hand, the value of the chemical potential characterizing the most reactive complex, [Ag₃(HNCOH)₃], was −3.80 eV.     

Coordination of the new weakly coordinating anions Al(OCH(CF3)2)4−, Al(OC(CH3)(CF3)2)4−, and Al(OC(Ph)(CF3)2)4− to the monovalent metal ions Li+ and Tl+

The structures of Li⁺ or Tl⁺ salts of three new fluoroalkoxide-containing aluminate anions were determined by X-ray crystallography. For LiAl(OC(Ph)(CF₃)₂)₄, monoclinic, C2/c, a=42.297(6), b=10.641(1), c=19.132(2) Å, β=114.808(9)°, Z=8, T=−100°C, R=0.052; for TlAl(OC(CH₃)(CF₃)₂)₄, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=12.650(3), b=9.970(2), c=21.237(4) Å, β=94.00(3)°, Z=4, T=−100°C, R=0.073; for TlAl(OCH(CF₃)₂)₄, monoclinic, P2₁/n, a=14.261(1), b=9.8024(9), c=16.911(2) Å, β=93.467(8), Z=4, T=−130°C, R=0.053. The monatomic, monovalent cations interact with their respective anions by means of M–O and M–F bonds. The Tl⁺ cations in TlAl(OCH(CF₃)₂)₄ and TlAl(OC(CH₃)(CF₃)₂)₄ interact with three different aluminate anions. The Li⁺ cation in LiAl(OC(Ph)(CF₃)₂)₄ interacts with only one aluminate anion, forming a rare trigonal–prismatic LiO₂F₄ coordination unit.     

Effect of Various Synthesis methods on the Electrochemical Properties of LiNi_(1/3)Co_(1/3)Mn_(1/3)O_2

Layered LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 has the isostructure of α-NaFeO2 and shows high rate capacity with stable cycleability. Furthermore, the thermal behavior of this material is milder than that of lithium nickel oxide and lithium cobalt oxide. In addition, it is expected to be stable at elevated temperatures. Therefore LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 may be the most promising cathode materials of lithium-ion secondary battery. In this research, LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 was prepared by solid-state reaction, s…