Anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional study of small aluminum-vanadium oxide clusters

Small aluminum-vanadium oxide clusters, AlVO(y)(-) (y = 1-3) and Al(x)VO(2)(-) (x = 2, 3), were investigated with anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations. The adiabatic detachment energies of AlVO(y)(-) were estimated to be 1.06 ± 0.05, 1.50 ± 0.08, and 2.83 ± 0.08 eV for y = 1, 2, and 3. Those of Al(2)VO(2)(-) and Al(3)VO(2)(-) were estimated to be 1.22 ± 0.08 and 1.25 ± 0.08 eV. Comparison of theoretical calculations with experimental measurement suggests that the most probable structure of AlVO(-) cluster is quasilinear with O atom in the middle. AlVO(2)(-) has an irregular chain structure of Al-O-V-O and a C(2v) cyclic structure very close in energy. The structure of AlVO(3)(-) cluster is evolved from the C(2v) cyclic AlVO(2)(-) structure by adding the third O atom to the V atom. Al(2)VO(2)(-) has a pair of nearly degenerate Al-O-V-O-Al chain structures that can be considered as cis and trans forms. Al(3)VO(2)(-) probably has two low-lying isomers each containing a four-membered ring. The structures of the corresponding neutral clusters are discussed.