Odd-Even Pattern Observed in Polyaniline/(Au0 – Au8) Composites

Journal Article · Thu Jan 12 04:00:00 EST 2012 · Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 159(3):40-43

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/2.053203jes· OSTI ID:1097954

Jonke, Alex P.; Josowicz, Mira A.; Janata, Jiri

Theoretically predicted effect of odd-even pattern of electron pairing on behavior of gold clusters in polyaniline/AuN (N = 0 to 8) has been confirmed experimentally. In these composites the atomic Au clusters with even number of atoms exhibit higher catalytic activity for electrochemical oxidation of n-propanol in 1 M NaOH than the odd-number atoms clusters. Also, infrared spectroscopy shows that even numbered PANI/AuN composites affect the N-H stretching vibration more strongly than the corresponding odd numbered ones. This behavior matches the theoretically predicted variations of HOMO-LUMO gap energy and the stability of the atomic Au clusters. It also agrees with the earlier experimental work in which the UPS spectra of isolated, mass-selected Au clusters have been reported.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US), Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1097954
• Journal Information: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 159(3):40-43, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 159(3):40-43
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory