Argon Adsorption on Cationic Gold Clusters Aun+ (n ≤ 20) |
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Authors: | Piero Ferrari Ewald Janssens |
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Affiliation: | Quantum Solid-State Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; |
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Abstract: | The interaction of Aun+ (n ≤ 20) clusters with Ar is investigated by combining mass spectrometric experiments and density functional theory calculations. We show that the inert Ar atom forms relatively strong bonds with Aun+. The strength of the bond strongly varies with the cluster size and is governed by a fine interplay between geometry and electronic structure. The chemical bond between Aun+ and Ar involves electron transfer from Ar to Au, and a stronger interaction is found when the Au adsorption site has a higher positive partial charge, which depends on the cluster geometry. Au15+ is a peculiar cluster size, which stands out for its much stronger interaction with Ar than its neighbors, signaled by a higher abundance in mass spectra and a larger Ar adsorption energy. This is shown to be a consequence of a low-coordinated Au adsorption site in Au15+, which possesses a large positive partial charge. |
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Keywords: | gold clusters argon adsorption energies mass spectrometry density functional theory |
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