Formation of unique trimer of nitric oxide on Cu(111)

Journal Article · Tue Oct 07 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Journal of Chemical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4896558· OSTI ID:22439684

Shiotari, A.; Hatta, S.; Aruga, T. ^[1]

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1. Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502 (Japan)

We report that NO molecules unexpectedly prefer a trimeric configuration on Cu(111). We used scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at 6 K, and confirmed that the NO molecule is bonded to the face-centered-cubic hollow site in an upright configuration. The individual NO molecule is imaged as a ring protrusion, which is characteristic of the doubly degenerate 2π{sup *} orbital. A triangular trimer is thermodynamically more favorable than the monomer and dimer, and its bonding structure was characterized by STM manipulation. This unique behavior of NO on Cu(111) is ascribed to the threefold symmetry of the surface, facilitating effective mixing of the 2π{sup *} orbitals in a triangular configuration.

• OSTI ID: 22439684
• Journal Information: Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 141, Issue 13; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-9606
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
DIMERS
FCC LATTICES
MOLECULES
MONOMERS
NITRIC OXIDE
SCANNING TUNNELING MICROSCOPY
TRIANGULAR CONFIGURATION