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Metal-carbon clusters: the origin of the delayed atomic ion
K M Davis1, S J Peppernick, A W Castleman
1Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|May 6, 2006
Summary
Delayed atomic ions from excited metal-carbon clusters originate from metal dicarbides. This study observed both zirconium and titanium ions emitted simultaneously, clarifying the ionization mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Atomic and Molecular Physics
Background:
- Excited metal-carbon clusters, including Met-Cars (M8C12), exhibit delayed atomic ion emission.
- The precise source of these delayed atomic ions, observed on microsecond timescales, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the origin of delayed atomic ions emitted from excited metal-carbon cluster systems.
- To elucidate the mechanism behind delayed ionization in mixed zirconium and titanium carbon complexes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a laser vaporization source coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer.
- Studied delayed ionization of mixed zirconium and titanium carbon complexes.
Main Results:
- For the first time, both zirconium and titanium delayed atomic ions were observed emitted in the same experiment.
- Determined that the source of the delayed atomic ion is an excited metal dicarbide.
- Proposed a mechanism involving excitation of a high Rydberg state of metal dicarbide followed by ion pair separation.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully identified excited metal dicarbides as the source of delayed atomic ions.
- A detailed mechanism for delayed ionization in these systems has been proposed.
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