Adsorption of alkali metals on Ge(0 0 1)(2 × 1) surface

Ab initio total energy calculations have been performed for Na, K and Rb adsorption on Ge(0 0 1)(2 × 1) surface. It was found that the adsorption site of AM is AM size dependent. Structural analysis showed that the Ge–Ge dimer bond becomes stronger with increasing AM size. As the coverage increases from 0.5 to 1 ML it turns out that no depolarization effect occurs upon Na adsorption, while this effect becomes more important with increasing AM size. We also found that for all adsorption systems investigated the germanium surface is metallic and semiconducting for the coverage of 0.5 and 1 ML, respectively.     

CI Study of CO adsorption on MgO(1 0 0)

Using CI embedding method, we have studied the adsorption of CO on MgO(1 0 0). The MgO(1 0 0) substrate is described by a Mg₉O₉ (3 × 3 × 2) core cluster, embedded in ionic (Mg²⁺/O²⁻) core potentials. The adsorption energy is calculated to be 0.11 eV at the CI level with a blue shift of 19 cm⁻¹ for CO stretching on MgO(1 0 0). The dispersion accounts only 35% of the total binding energy of CO on MgO(1 0 0). The CO/MgO(1 0 0) interaction is weak and mainly of the van der Waals type with only slight chemical bonding characters.     

Adsorption of hydrogen on Pt(1 1 1) and Pt(1 0 0) surfaces and its role in the HOR

Hydrogen adsorption isotherms, evaluated by combination of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, are reported on Pt(1 1 1) and Pt(1 0 0) surfaces in 0.1 M HClO₄. We found that at E > 0.05 V Pt(1 1 1) and Pt(1 0 0) are only partially covered by the adsorbed hydrogen (H_ad). On both surfaces, a full monolayer of the adsorbed hydrogen is completed at −0.1 V, i.e. the adsorption of atomic hydrogen is observed in the hydrogen evolution potential region. We also found, that the activity of the hydrogen oxidation reaction is mirrored by the shape of the hydrogen adsorption isotherms, implying that H_ad is in fact a spectator in the HOR.     

Transition metals on the (0 0 0 1) surface of graphite: Fundamental aspects of adsorption,diffusion, and morphology

In this article, we review basic information about the interaction of transition metal atoms with the (0 0 0 1) surface of graphite, especially fundamental phenomena related to growth. Those phenomena involve adatom-surface bonding, diffusion, morphology of metal clusters, interactions with steps and sputter-induced defects, condensation, and desorption. General traits emerge which have not been summarized previously. Some of these features are rather surprising when compared with metal-on-metal adsorption and growth. Opportunities for future work are pointed out.     

Morphology and optical properties of MgO thin films on Mo(0 0 1)

The photophysical properties of N-(1-naphthyl)-carbazole (1-NACZ), N-(2-naphthyl)-carbazole (2-NACZ), N-(1-naphthyl)-benzimidazole (1-NABI) and N-(2-naphthyl)-benzimidazole (2-NABI) were studied. The emission wavelengths of 1-NACZ and 2-NACZ were very sensitive to the polarity of solvents. The magnitude of change in the dipole moment was calculated based on the Lippert–Mataga equation. 1-NACZ and 2-NACZ had higher change in the dipole moment than that of 1-NABI and 2-NABI . The optical properties, including fluorescence quantum yield and fluorescence decay times, were determined in different polarity solvents. These gave the evidence about the intramolecular charge transfer character in the excited singlet state of 1-NACZ and 2-NACZ.     

Li atoms deposited on single crystalline MgO(0 0 1) surface. A combined experimental and theoretical study

In this Letter the interaction of Li atoms with terrace sites of MgO(0 0 1) surfaces is characterized by combining EPR spectroscopy with theoretical calculations. The Li atoms adsorbed to MgO terrace sites show a reduction of the isotropic hyperfine coupling constant by approximately 50% with respect to Li atoms in the gas phase. In combination with theoretical calculations it can be shown that this reduction of the hyperfine coupling constant is not due to a charge transfer between Li and MgO but can be understood by a polarization of the Li atoms which are essentially neutral.     

A possible approach towards spin-polarized transport through single molecule magnets: Mn12 on Au(1 0 0)/Fe(1 0 0)/MgO(1 0 0)

The possibility to use the Au(1 0 0)/Fe(1 0 0)/MgO(1 0 0) system as a substrate for future spin-polarized transport measurements on Mn₁₂ single molecule magnets has been investigated by means of scanning tunneling microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at room temperature. In particular, the stability of the iron layer during a wet chemical preparation of Mn₁₂ monolayers was studied. The results demonstrate that Mn₁₂ can be deposited on Au(1 0 0)/Fe(1 0 0)/MgO(1 0 0) while preserving the metallic nature of the ferromagnetic iron layer which is required as a possible source of spin-polarized electrons in future studies.     

Formation of Pd dimers at regular and defect sites of the MgO(1 0 0) surface: cluster model calculations

The formation of Pd dimers on the surface of MgO has been studied by means of density functional theory (DFT) cluster model calculations. The following surface sites have been considered: regular five-coordinated anions at the (1 0 0) terraces, monoatomic steps, OH groups, and neutral vacancies (F centers). We discuss the energy balance of forming a dimer at a given site with respect to two isolated Pd atoms, one adsorbed at the defect and one on a regular terrace site. We found that all the defects considered lead to an energy gain when the dimer is formed, suggesting that they can be involved in nucleation and growth processes of metal clusters on the MgO surface. The dimerization energy is moderate for steps (≈0.8 eV), large for OH groups (≈1.3 eV) and rather small (<0.5 eV) for F centers.     

Interface geometry of Ag thin films supported at the MgO(1 0 0) surface: an ab-initio periodic study

In this Letter, the interface geometry of silver thin films of thickness T between 1 and 3 ML epitaxially deposited at the MgO surface has been accurately characterized employing DFT periodic calculations. The Ag–Ag out-of-plane interlayer spacing is considerably shorter than the bulk values because of: (i) the reduced dimension; (ii) the perfect epitaxy constraint; (iii) the interaction with the substrate. The interface distance between the silver monolayer and the MgO substrate, d(Ag–O) = 2.60 Å, is considerably longer than the estimates computed for the bilayer and the trilayer, d(Ag–O) = 2.47 and 2.48 Å, respectively. The difference between the values of the interface distance computed for the monolayer and the results obtained for thicker films, lies in the peculiar electronic properties of the silver monolayer.     

Complexes of first row transition metals withMeso-1,2-bis(propylsulphinyl)ethane

Summary Fourteen new complexes were prepared involving metals from vanadium to zinc and the ligandmeso-1,2-bis(propylsulphinyl) ethane. Whereas the mode of coordination of the sulphoxide to the metal is always the same (via the oxygen atoms), an unusual coordination scheme prevails in two of the complexes containing the nitrate group, which acts both as a counter ion and as a coordinated ligand.     

Adsorption of chloro-complexes of the first row transition elements by Dowex A-1

A study has been made of the adsorption of chlorocomplexes of the first row transition metals by the chelating resin Dowex A-1, and possible mechanisms for adsorption have been reviewed. Relative adsorption follows the series Zn(II) > Co(II) = Fe(III) Cu(II) > Mn(II). Negligible adsorption occurred with Cr(III) and none with V(IV) and Ni(II). Maximum adsorption of Zn(II) occurred from 3M hydrochloric acid and for the other metals from 8M acid.     

Methyl methylphenylphosphinate,MePh(MeO)PO complexes of the first row transition metals

Summary Methyl methylphenylphosphinate (L) complexes with 3d metal perchlorates were synthesized by interaction of L and metal salt solutions in triethyl orthoformate (61 molar ratio) and characterized by means of spectral, magnetic and conductance studies. In most cases (Mⁿ⁺ = Cr³⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ or Zn²⁺), complexes involving 41 L: metal ratios, similar to those obtained with bulky triorganophosphine oxides and neutral phosphonate or phosphate esters, were formed. These complexes contain exclusively terminal L groups and were characterized as monomeric of the types [CrL₄(OClO₃)₂](ClO₄), [ML₄(OH₂)](ClO₄)₂ (M = Mn or Ni), [ML₄(OClO₃)](ClO₄) (M = Co or Zn) and [CuL₄](ClO₄)₂. In contrast, Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ perchlorates formed, rather unexpectedly, complexes involving 21 L: Fe ratios. These compounds appear to be binuclear and of the type [(O₃ClO)(H₂O)₂LFeL₂FeL(OH₂)₂(OClO₃)](ClO₄)_n (n=2 for Fe²⁺; n=4 for Fe³⁺), containing both terminal and bridging coordinated L ligands. The bridging L groups in the iron complexes seem to be exclusively coordinated through the P=O oxygen, which acts as a bridging group between two adjacent Fe²⁺ or Fe³⁺ions, rather than functioning as bidentate bridging O,O-ligands, with both the P=O and methoxy oxygens involved in coordination. Spectral evidence suggests that L is a weaker ligand than triorganophosphine oxides and a stronger ligand than neutral phosphonate and phosphate esters, as anticipated.     

Ab initio and XPS studies of pyrite (1 0 0) surface states

Ab initio quantum chemical modelling (GGA, CASTEP and B3LYP, CRYSTAL03) is used to predict differences in electronic structure between the (1 0 0) surface and bulk of pyrite. Experimental X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) data for the S 2p core lines show the presence of two types of S surface states: surface S²⁻ monomers at a S 2p_3/2 binding energy (BE) of 161.2 eV, and (S–S)²⁻ surface dimer states at a S 2p_3/2 BE of 162.0 eV, compared to the S 2p_3/2 BE of bulk pyrite at 162.7 eV. The Fe 2p surface XPS displays several multiplets (implying high spin configuration) at higher BE than the bulk Fe 2p signal, which can be ascribed to surface state contributions. The quantum chemical simulation predicts an S 2p core level shift of 0.69 eV between the S bulk and S surface dimers, in good agreement with the 0.6 eV found in XPS measurements. A Mulliken population analysis confirms the conjectured charge distribution on the surface, which leads to the two different S surface states, as well as the surface high spin configuration responsible for the high BE Fe multiplets. Evidence for surface Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ surface states can be seen in the Fe projected valence band density of states, confirming the interpretation of the photoemission spectra.     

Isonitrosoacetylacetone dithiosemicarbazone complexes of some first row transition metals

Summary Complexes of the potentially tetradentate ligand isonitroso-acetylacetone dithiosemicarbazone (inbtH₂) of formulae [Ti(inbtH₂)Cl₂]Cl₂, [M(inbt)], where M = V^IV O, Mn^II, Ni^II or Zn^II, [M(inbtH₂)X₂], where M = Co^II and X = Cl, or M = Ni^II and X = Cl, Br or I, and [M(inbtH₂)Cl₂]Cl, where M = Cr^III or Fe^III, have been prepared and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. In all the compounds the metal is coordinated by the thiocarbonyl sulphur and imine nitrogen, as revealed by i.r. studies. The n.m.r. spectra of the complexes of Ni^II and Zn^II confirm coordination through nitrogen. Possible structures for the complexes are proposed. The Mössbauer spectrum of the Fe^III complex is discussed.     

Atomic arrangement of Al-induced clusters on Si(0 0 1) surface at high temperature

The atomic structure of the Al-induced clusters on Si(0 0 1) surface formed by the annealing of 0.5 ML Al/Si(0 0 1) at 500 °C has been studied using coaxial impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy (CAICISS). CAICISS results proposed that the Al atoms occupy the cave site (T4 site) and off-centered T4 site. To determine the structure of the Al-induced clusters definitely, classical ion-scattering trajectory simulations using scattering and recoiling imaging code (SARIC) have been performed for the recently proposed most possible four different cluster models (Bunk, Zotov, Kotlyar, and Zavodinsky model). Our CAICISS spectra and simulation results show that the Bunk model is the best plausible one among the models. As the results of the simulations, it is found that Al–Si dimers has been oriented on the topmost layer of the Si(0 0 1) surface with a bonding length (Δz) of 1.00 ± 0.05 Å.     

Formation of π-coupled organic wire on the Si(0 0 1)[2 × 1] surface

The stability and electronic properties of highly packed 1-hexyl-naphthalene (HNap) molecular wire on Si(0 0 1) have been studied with first principles DFT method. HNap assembles into a 1D arrangement on the Si(0 0 1)[2 × 1] surface on which molcules adopt a commensurate structure along a dimer row with an intermolecular distance of 3.8 Å. HNap is attached to the surface through the hexyl chain, and stands normal to the surface. This highly packed structure leads to the formation of delocalized π-orbitals over the entire wire but essentially localized on the naphthalene counterpart, and well separated from the Si surface states. Cohesion energy within the wire arises from a significant attraction between hexyl chains, and to a weaker stabilizing π–π interaction between naphthalenes.     

Recent advances in C(sp3)H bond carbonylation by first row transition metals

Carbonylation is one of the most valuable processes both in academia and industry. Direct functionalization of inert C(sp²)H bond into C(sp²)-carbonyl derivatives was actively pursued over decades using noble metals. But the corresponding C(sp³)H bond carbonylation is a challenging area and only few examples were known till now. Utilization of first row transition metals as an alternative to their noble partners is more sustainable. In this context, use of first row transition metals for direct C(sp³)H bond functionalization is burgeoning as an exciting area. This digest review covers some of the recent achievements in this regard especially using Ni, Co and Cu as first row transition metals. The reported approaches are categorized in two types: directed and non-directed activation/functionalization of C(sp³)H bonds using carbon monoxide gas or its surrogates as a C1 source.     

Addition reactions of nitrones on the reconstructed C(1 0 0)-2 × 1 surfaces

In this paper, the reactions of nitrone, N-methyl nitrone, N-phenyl nitrone and their hydroxylamine tautomers (vinyl-hydroxylamine, N-methyl-vinyl-hydroxylamine and N-phenyl-vinyl-hydroxylamine) on the reconstructed C(1 0 0)-2 × 1 surface have been investigated using hybrid density functional theory (B3LYP), Møller–Plesset second-order perturbation (MP2) and multi-configuration complete-active-space self-consistent-field (CASSCF) methods. The calculations showed that all the nitrones can react with the surface “dimer” via facile 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with small activation barriers (less than 12.0 kJ/mol at B3LYP/6-31g(d) level). The [2+2] cycloaddition of hydroxylamine tautomers on the C(1 0 0) surface follows a diradical mechanism. Hydroxylamine tautomers first form diradical intermediates with the reconstructed C(1 0 0)-2 × 1 surface by overcoming a large activation barrier of 50–60 kJ/mol (B3LYP), then generate [2+2] cycloaddition products via diradical transition states with negligible activation barriers. The surface reactions result in hydroxyl or amino-terminated diamond surfaces, which offers new opportunity for further modifications.     

Angle-resolved soft X-ray magnetic circular dichroism in a monatomic Fe layer facing an MgO(0 0 1) tunnel barrier

The electronic and magnetic states of a monatomic Fe(0 0 1) layer directly facing an MgO(0 0 1) tunnel barrier were studied by angle-resolved X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) at the Fe L_2,3 edges in the longitudinal (L) and transverse (T) arrangements. A strong XMCD reveals no oxidation of the 1-ML Fe, showing its crucial role in giant tunnel magnetoresistance effects in Fe/MgO/Fe magnetic tunnel junctions. Sum-rule analyses of the angle-resolved XMCD give values of a spin moment, in-plane and out-of-plane orbital and magnetic dipole moments. Argument is given on their physical implication.