The adsorption of small amounts of alkali metal atoms (Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs) on the surface of MgO powders and thin films has been studied by means of EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. From a comparison of the measured and computed g values and hyperfine coupling constants (hfccs), a tentative assignment of the preferred adsorption sites is proposed. All atoms bind preferentially to surface oxide anions, but the location of these anions differs as a function of the deposition temperature and alkali metal. Lithium forms relatively strong bonds with MgO and can be stabilized at low temperatures on terrace sites. Potassium interacts very weakly with MgO and is stabilized only at specific sites, such as at reverse corners where it can interact simultaneously with three surface oxygen atoms (rubidium and cesium presumably behave in the same way). Sodium forms bonds of intermediate strength and could, in principle, populate more than a single site when deposited at room temperature. In all cases, large deviations of the hfccs from the gas-phase values are observed. These reductions in the hfccs are due to polarization effects and are not connected to ionization of the alkali metal, which would lead to the formation of an adsorbed cation and a trapped electron. In this respect, hydrogen atoms behave completely differently. Under similar conditions, they form (H(+))(e(-)) pairs. The reasons for this different behavior are discussed.

Finazzi, E., DI VALENTIN, C., Pacchioni, G., Chiesa, M., Giamello, E., Gao, H., et al. (2008). Properties of alkali metal atoms deposited on a MgO surface: A systematic experimental and theoretical study. CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, 14(14), 4404-4414 [10.1002/chem.200702012].

Properties of alkali metal atoms deposited on a MgO surface: A systematic experimental and theoretical study

FINAZZI, EMANUELE;DI VALENTIN, CRISTIANA;PACCHIONI, GIANFRANCO;CHIESA, MASSIMO;
2008

Abstract

The adsorption of small amounts of alkali metal atoms (Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs) on the surface of MgO powders and thin films has been studied by means of EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. From a comparison of the measured and computed g values and hyperfine coupling constants (hfccs), a tentative assignment of the preferred adsorption sites is proposed. All atoms bind preferentially to surface oxide anions, but the location of these anions differs as a function of the deposition temperature and alkali metal. Lithium forms relatively strong bonds with MgO and can be stabilized at low temperatures on terrace sites. Potassium interacts very weakly with MgO and is stabilized only at specific sites, such as at reverse corners where it can interact simultaneously with three surface oxygen atoms (rubidium and cesium presumably behave in the same way). Sodium forms bonds of intermediate strength and could, in principle, populate more than a single site when deposited at room temperature. In all cases, large deviations of the hfccs from the gas-phase values are observed. These reductions in the hfccs are due to polarization effects and are not connected to ionization of the alkali metal, which would lead to the formation of an adsorbed cation and a trapped electron. In this respect, hydrogen atoms behave completely differently. Under similar conditions, they form (H(+))(e(-)) pairs. The reasons for this different behavior are discussed.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
electronic structure, oxides
English
2008
14
14
4404
4414
none
Finazzi, E., DI VALENTIN, C., Pacchioni, G., Chiesa, M., Giamello, E., Gao, H., et al. (2008). Properties of alkali metal atoms deposited on a MgO surface: A systematic experimental and theoretical study. CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, 14(14), 4404-4414 [10.1002/chem.200702012].
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/45137
Citazioni
  • Scopus 28
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 26
Social impact