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Van der Waals Interactions01:24

Van der Waals Interactions

Atoms and molecules interact with each other through intermolecular forces. These electrostatic forces arise from attractive or repulsive interactions between particles with permanent, partial, or temporary charges. The intermolecular forces between neutral atoms and molecules are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, and dispersion forces, collectively known as van der Waals forces.
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Intermolecular Forces

Atoms and molecules interact through bonds (or forces): intramolecular and intermolecular. The forces are electrostatic as they arise from interactions (attractive or repulsive) between charged species (permanent, partial, or temporary charges) and exist with varying strengths between ions, polar, nonpolar, and neutral molecules. The different types of intermolecular forces are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion; among these, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion...
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Intermolecular coulomb decay at weakly coupled heterogeneous interfaces.

Gregory A Grieves1, Thomas M Orlando

  • 1School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 30332-0400, USA.

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|July 30, 2011
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Low energy electron irradiation triggers protonated water cluster (H(+)(H(2)O)(n=1-8)) desorption from graphite surfaces via intermolecular Coulomb decay (ICD). This process is initiated by inner valence holes in water or noble gas overlayers.

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Area of Science:

  • Surface science
  • Physical chemistry
  • Atomic and molecular physics

Background:

  • Understanding the behavior of water clusters on surfaces is crucial for various fields, including atmospheric science and materials science.
  • Low-energy electron interactions with adsorbed molecules can lead to complex dissociation and desorption dynamics.
  • Intermolecular Coulomb decay (ICD) is a key mechanism for energy relaxation in molecular systems, particularly relevant at interfaces.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism of protonated water cluster (H(+)(H(2)O)(n=1-8)) desorption from graphite surfaces induced by low-energy electron irradiation.
  • To elucidate the role of intermolecular Coulomb decay (ICD) at the interface between water clusters and graphite, with and without noble gas overlayers (Ar, Kr, Xe).
  • To correlate the initiation of ICD with specific electronic excitations (inner valence holes) in water and noble gas atoms.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental setup involving low-energy electron irradiation of water clusters (n=1-8) adsorbed on graphite substrates.
  • Use of graphite substrates modified with overlayers of Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr), or Xenon (Xe) to study interface effects.
  • Analysis of ejected H(+)(H(2)O)(n=1-8) clusters and their kinetic energies to infer desorption mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Surface ejection of protonated water clusters (H(+)(H(2)O)(n=1-8)) was observed upon low-energy electron irradiation.
  • The primary desorption mechanism was identified as intermolecular Coulomb decay (ICD) occurring at the mixed interface.
  • ICID initiation was linked to the formation of inner valence holes in water (2a(1)(-1)) or noble gas atoms (Ar 3s(-1), Kr 4s(-1), Xe 5s(-1)).
  • Proton transfer followed by Coulomb explosion was found to be responsible for the cluster desorption.
  • Kinetic energies of the desorbed clusters varied depending on the initiating electronic state, final state, and interatomic/molecular distances.

Conclusions:

  • Low-energy electron irradiation of water clusters on graphite, especially with noble gas overlayers, induces desorption via ICD.
  • The presence of noble gas overlayers influences the ICD process, providing alternative pathways for excitation and decay.
  • Proton transfer and subsequent Coulomb explosion are critical steps in the formation and ejection of protonated water clusters.