Ionization energies and hydrogen-bond strength of the water clusters

The first vertical ionization energies of the water clusters (H₂O)_n for n = 1–8 have been evaluated from ab initio SCF MO calculations. The values obtained for n = 5 and 8 are in reasonable agreement with the experimental values of ice. The stability of the clusters is examined in terms of the hydrogen-bond strength per bond (B_h).     

Ionization energies of argon clusters: a combined experimental and theoretical study

We have measured appearance energies of Ar(n)+, n相似文献   

Ionization energies of the nucleotides

The vertical ionization energies of the four nucleotides have been computed. Geometries have been chosen to mimic orientations as they appear in B-DNA. The negative charge on the phosphate was neutralized by protonation, and also by the inclusion of counterions. Calculations have been performed with electron propagator methods (P3), M?ller-Plesset second-order perturbation theory, and density functional theory to determine the nature of the orbitals associated with the highest lying ionization energies. Calculations at the MP2/6-311G(d,p)//P3/6-311G(d,p) level of theory yield vertical ionization energies for 5'-dTMP 9.05 eV, for 5'-dCMP 8.40 eV, for 5'-dAMP 8.16 eV and for 5'-dGMP 7.96 eV. In all cases the highest occupied molecular orbital resides on the base moieties.     

Ionization dynamics of van-der-Waals clusters

The ionization process of homogeneous and heterogeneous van-der-Waals clusters has been investigated using various ionization methods (electron bombardment, charge exchange, photoionization methods), and different analyzing techniques. Direct and indirect ionization processes can be distinguished in the experiments from the shape of the ionization curve which depends on the type of cluster. These features appear differently in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems: Homogeneous systems exhibit characteristic ionization efficiency curves where the direct ionization path appears as a sudden increase in the ionization efficiency while the indirect transition gives rise to a long drawn out tail extending to the true ionization threshold. In heterogeneous clusters the indirect ionization path proceeds via excited states of the component with the larger ionization potential and subsequent energy transfer to the other component. These transitions are shifted and broadened depending on the type of internal interaction. Conclusions are drawn concerning the geometry and the interaction potential inside the cluster. The resolution of the TEPICO (Threshold Electron Photo Ion Coincidence) experiments makes it possible to determine the kinetic energy release of the fragments. It is shown that the results are related to the stabilities of the cluster ions involved in the fragmentation chain. Results are presented for pure rare gas clusters (Ar _n , Kr _n , Xe _n ) and for mixed systems (Ar _n O_2m , Ar _n Xe, Kr _n Xe, (CH₄) _n Ne).     

Ionization energies and stabilities of Na n,n<25: shell structure from measurements on cold clusters

The stability patterns found in alkali-atomic clusters and their explanation in terms of electronic and structural factors have been controversial for some time. Generation of very cold Na _n clusters in a novel source and use of a special photoion normalization method resolve the remaining questions by allowing precise determination of photoionization thresholds. This is demonstrated here for several sizes in the 7<n<26 range, where in two crucial cases the interpretations of earlier ionization threshold measurements on oven-beam clusters [M. Kappes, M. Schär, P. Radi, and E. Schumacher, J. Chem. Phys.84, 1863 (1986)] disagreed with the explanation of the observed stability pattern. Combining the new values with the charged-cluster fragmentation energies of Bréchignac et al. [C. Bréchignac, P. Cahuzac, J. Leygnier, and J. Weiner, J. Chem. Phys.90, 1492 (1989)] yields neutral cluster fragmentation energies that successfully account for the famous “magic-number” ledges [W.D. Knight, K. Clemenger, W.A. de Heer, W.A. Saunders, M.Y. Chou, and M.L. Cohen, Phys. Rev. Lett.52, 2141 (1984)]. Our measurements offer decisive support for the applicability of the spherical/spheroidal electronic shell-model to smaller Na _n clusters, even in their low-temperature form.     

Ionization of sodium in water clusters

Structures of Na(H₂O)_n and Na⁺(H₂O)_n clusters with n = 1?6, 19, and 28 are determined in the second order of the Møller-Plesset perturbation theory with the use of extended atomic basis set 6–31++G^**. It is found that when the number of molecules is sufficient for the formation of two solvation shells around sodium, a continuous hydrogen-bond network is formed in both neutral and charged clusters, and the orientation of each molecule is determined by the balance between interactions with the neighboring water molecules and with the field of the central particle. In the cations, this field is stronger, and up to the third solvation shell, molecules have a predominant orientation with respect to sodium. In the neutral clusters, with an increase in the number of water molecules, the maximum of the electron density distribution of the highest occupied molecular orbital becomes more distant from the sodium nucleus, being shifted toward the cluster surface. The energy of this orbital accordingly decreases in absolute value approaching 22 kcal/mol inmicroparticles. In the charged clusters, the distribution of the positive charge generally correlates with the character of the highest occupied orbital in the neutral systems, so that with an increase in the number of molecules, the atomic charge of sodium decreases and tends to zero as n → ∞. The ionization potential of sodium changes in inverse proportion to the linear size of the cluster, and should not exceed 1.1 eV in watermicroparticles.     

Ionization potential of clusters in liquids

Time-resolved observations of the fast electron transfer from an electron donor to metal ions adsorbed on metal clusters in solution have shown that a critical size of the cluster is required to make it capable of accepting electrons. The threshold is attributed to a size dependent redox potential of the cluster, increasing with the nuclearity (in contrast with the ionization potential in the gas phase which decreases when n increases): it corresponds to the nuclearity for which the cluster redox potential becomes more positive than the potential of the electron donor acting as a monitor.New data of redox potentials (or IP) of Ag_n clusters (hydroquinone as monitor) and Cu_n cluster (sulfonatopropylviologen anion as monitor) are derived. The influence of n and of the solvation or the ligand is discussed.     

Ionization and Coulomb explosion of small group 10 transition metal oxide clusters in strong light fields

The ionization properties of small group 10 metal oxide clusters are explored using ultrafast pulses centered at 624 nm. Maximum atomic charge states resulting from Coulomb explosion were observed to be Ni(3+), Pd(3+), Pt(5+), and O(2+) species with similar ionization potentials ～30-35 eV. Ion signal as a function of laser intensity of each charge state of Ni, Pd, Pt, and O resulting from Coulomb explosion was mapped and compared to that predicted from semi-classical tunneling theory using sequential ionization potentials to quantify observed enhancements in ionization. The saturation intensity (I(sat)) of each charge state is measured and compared to previous studies on group 5 transition metal oxides. The atomic charge states of nickel showed a large enhancement in ionization compared to palladium and platinum, reflective of the differing bonding properties of each metal with oxygen. Results indicate that nickel oxide clusters undergo a greater extent of ionization enhancement as a result of multiple ionization mechanisms. The ionization enhancement behavior of each metal oxide species is explored herein.     

Ionization and double ionization of small water clusters

The valence ionization and double ionization spectra of the water molecule, of the water dimer, and the cyclic water clusters (H2O)3 and (H2O)4 are calculated by ab initio Green's function methods and discussed in some detail. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the development of the spectra with increasing cluster size. Electronic decay following inner valence ionization is addressed and a crude estimate for the kinetic energy spectrum of the secondary electrons is given for the clusters.     

Large clusters of cesium from pure vapor expansions

The generation of cesium clusters with up to 2500 atoms per cluster by nozzle expansion of pure metal vapor without carrier gas is reported. Electron impact is found to lead to positively or negatively charged clusters with comparable probability.     

Ionization potential measurements of hydrogenated lithium clusters

Ionization Potentials of Li_nH_m clusters have been measured by photoionization. As in Li_n, odd-even alternations and shell closing effects are observed. In a first approximation, we find that Li_nH clusters behave like Li_n–1 and Li_nH₂ like Li_n–2. The results may be interpreted by assuming that the bonding of one hydrogen localizes one electron and that the other electrons remain delocalized.     

Ionization of methane clusters in helium nanodroplets

The electron ionization of helium droplets doped with methane clusters is investigated for the first time using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The dominant ion products ejected into the gas phase are the unprotonated (CH(4))(n)(+) cluster ions along with the protonated ions, CH(5)(+)(CH(4))(n-1). The mass spectra show clear evidence for magic numbers, which are broadly consistent with icosahedral shell closings. However, unusual features were observed, including different magic numbers for CH(5)(+)(CH(4))(n-1) (n=55, 148) when compared to (CH(4))(n)(+) (n=54, 147). Possible interpretations for some of these differences are proposed. Products of the type [C(2)H(x)(CH(4))(n)](+), which result from ion-molecule chemistry, are also observed and these too show clear magic number features. Finally, we report the first observation of (CH(4))(n)(2+) dications from methane clusters. The threshold for dication survival occurs at n≥70 and is in good agreement with a liquid droplet model for fission of multiply charged ions. Furthermore, we present evidence showing that these dications are formed by an unusual two-step mechanism which is initiated by charge transfer to generate a monocation and is then followed by Penning ionization to generate a dication.     

Atom desorption energies for sodium clusters

The desorption energies of supported sodium clusters have been determined as a function of cluster size. Na _n clusters were formed by surface diffusion of sodium atoms adsorbed from a thermal atomic beam on a LiF(100) single crystal. Measurements have been performed by temperature programmed thermal desorption. The signals reflect fractional order desorption kinetics. The average cluster size could be controlled by varying the total number of sodium atoms on the surface. It was determined from scattering experiments. We find that the binding energies vary between 0.55 and 0.8 eV and only approach a constant value for clusters with diameters as large as 1,000 Å.     

Ionization of water clusters by collision with surface

New results of the investigations of the phenomenon of the ion formation and separation at the neutral water cluster scattering by solid surface are reported. First, molecular dynamics simulation has shown the possibility of polar dissociation of water molecules in (H ₂ O)_n cluster with n = 34 and 64 during their impact with a rigid surface. Second, the current of ions rebound from target and the current to the target at scattering of (H2O)_n clusters (up to n = 50000) by various targets are measured. Third, we have measured the water-cluster-induced electrification of the electric field mill sensor, which has been used for the rocket measurement of mesospheric electric field structure in the vicinity of noctilucent clouds (NLC). A comparison between these and rocket measurements shows that the fluctuations of the field mill signal detected when a rocket was passing the NLC layer is a result of the impact of NLC particles on the field mill electrodes.     

Ionization potentials of large sodium doped ammonia clusters

In a continuous neat supersonic expansion ammonia clusters are generated and doped with sodium atoms in a pickup cell. Thus clusters of the form Na(NH(3))(n) are produced that are photoionized by a tunable dye laser system. The ions are mass analyzed in a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer, and the wavelength dependent ion signals serve for the determination of the ionization potentials (IP) of the different clusters in the size range 10< or =n< or =1500. Aside from a plateau for 10< or =n< or =17 and smaller steps at n=24, 35, and 59 on the average a continuous decrease of the IP with cluster size is observed. The IPs in this size range are linear with (n+1)(-13) and extrapolate to IP(n=infinity)=1.66+/-0.01 eV. The slope is consistent with a dielectric continuum model of the solvated electron and the dielectric constant of the solid. The extrapolated IPs are compared with results obtained for negative ammonia cluster ions and metallic solutions in liquid ammonia. Differences are explained by the presence of counterions and their various distances from the solvated electron.     

Ionization energies of homologous organic compounds and correlation with molecular size

The empirical relationship IE ∝? 1/n, between the ionization energy (IE) and molecular size (as represented by the number of atoms, n) in homologous series of organic compounds has been confirmed for n-alkanes, alkyl halides, cyclic ethers and alkyl-subsiituted cycloalkanes. For each series, the plot of IE vs. 1/n produces a line of characteristic slope. The only exception is the cycloalkanes themselves, whose IE values (from C₃ to C₈) are closely similar. The possible relationship between the IE, the polarizability of the molecules and the energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital is briefly discussed.     

Ionization energies of K2X (X = F,Cl, Br,I) clusters

The electronic structure and properties of dipotassiummonohalides are important for understanding the unique physical and chemical behavior of M_nX systems. In the present study, K₂X (here X = F, Cl, Br, I) clusters were generated in the vapor over salts of the corresponding potassium halide, using a magnetic sector thermal ionization mass spectrometer. The ionization energies obtained for K₂F, K₂Cl, K₂Br, and K₂I molecules were 3.82 ± 0.1 eV, 3.68 ± 0.1 eV, 3.95 ± 0.1 eV, and 3.92 ± 0.1, respectively. These experimental values of ionization energies for K₂X (X = F, Br, and I) are presented for the first time. The ionization energy of K₂Cl determined by thermal ionization corresponds to previous results obtained by photoionization mass spectrometry, and it agrees with the theoretical ionization energy calculated by the ab initio method. The presently obtained results support previous theoretical predictions that the excess electron in dipotassiummonohalide clusters is delocalized over two potassium atoms, which is characteristic for F‐center clusters. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interaction energies of large clusters from many-body expansion

In the canonical supermolecular approach, calculations of interaction energies for molecular clusters involve a calculation of the whole cluster, which becomes expensive as the cluster size increases. We propose a novel approach to this task by demonstrating that interaction energies of such clusters can be constructed from those of small subclusters with a much lower computational cost by applying progressively lower-level methods for subsequent terms in the many-body expansion. The efficiency of such "stratified approximation" many-body approach (SAMBA) is due to the rapid convergence of the many-body expansion for typical molecular clusters. The method has been applied to water clusters (H(2)O)(n), n = 6, 16, 24. For the hexamer, the best results that can be obtained with current computational resources in the canonical supermolecular method were reproduced to within about one tenth of the uncertainty of the canonical approach while using 24 times less computer time in the many-body expansion calculations. For (H(2)O)(24), SAMBA is particularly beneficial and we report interaction energies with accuracy that is currently impossible to obtain with the canonical supermolecular approach. Moreover, our results were computed using two orders of magnitude smaller computer resources than used in the previous best calculations for this system. We also show that the basis-set superposition errors should be removed in calculations for large clusters.     

Adsorption energies of molecular oxygen on Au clusters

The adsorption properties of O(2) molecules on anionic, cationic, and neutral Au(n) clusters (n=1-6) are studied using the density functional theory (DFT) with the generalized gradient approximation (GGA), and with the hybrid functional. The results show that the GGA calculations with the PW91 functional systemically overestimate the adsorption energy by 0.2-0.4 eV than the DFT ones with the hybrid functional, resulting in the failure of GGA with the PW91 functional for predicting the adsorption behavior of molecular oxygen on Au clusters. Our DFT calculations with the hybrid functional give the same adsorption behavior of molecular oxygen on Au cluster anions and cations as the experimental measurements. For the neutral Au clusters, the hybrid DFT predicts that only Au(3) and Au(5) clusters can adsorb one O(2) molecule.