Electronic and Structural Evolution and Chemical Bonding in Ditungsten Oxide Clusters:  W₂O_n^- and W₂O_n ( n = 1-6)

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 2005 · Journal of Physical Chemistry. A, Molecules, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Environment, and General Theory

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/jp051496f· OSTI ID:1152406

Zhai, Hua-Jin; Huang, Xin; Cui, Li-Feng; Li, Xi; Li, Jun; Wang, Lai-Sheng

We report a systematic and comprehensive investigation of the electronic structures and chemical bonding in a series of ditungsten oxide clusters, W₂O_n^- and W₂O_n (n = 1-6), using anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Well-resolved photoelectron spectra were obtained at several photon energies (2.331, 3.496, 4.661, 6.424, and 7.866 eV), and W 5d-based spectral features were clearly observed and distinguished from O 2p-based features. More complicated spectral features were observed for the oxygen-deficient clusters because of the W 5d electrons. With increasing oxygen content in W₂O_n^-, the photoelectron spectra were observed to shift gradually to higher binding energies, accompanied by a decreasing number of W 5d-derived features. A behavior of sequential oxidation as a result of charge transfers from W to O was clearly observed. A large energy gap (2.8 eV) was observed in the spectrum of W₂O₆^-, indicating the high electronic stability of the stoichiometric W₂O₆ molecule. Extensive DFT calculations were carried out to search for the most stable structures of both the anion and neutral clusters. Time-dependent DFT method was used to compute the vertical detachment energies and compare to the experimental data. Finally, molecular orbitals were used to analyze the chemical bonding in the ditungsten oxide clusters and to elucidate their electronic and structural evolution.

• Research Organization: Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
• OSTI ID: 1152406
• Journal Information: Journal of Physical Chemistry. A, Molecules, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Environment, and General Theory, Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry. A, Molecules, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Environment, and General Theory Journal Issue: 27 Vol. 109; ISSN 1089-5639
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English