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Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Atomic Layer Deposition of Vanadium Dioxide and a Temperature-dependent Optical Model
Published on: May 23, 2018
Hydrogen Chemisorption on Singly Vanadium-Doped Aluminum Clusters
Jan Vanbuel1, Eva M Fernández2, Piero Ferrari1
1Laboratory of Solid State Physics & Magnetism, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200D, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.
Vanadium doping boosts hydrogen adsorption in aluminum clusters, but the effect varies with cluster size. Hydrogen molecules dissociate upon binding, influenced by activation barriers and orbital interactions.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Surface Science
Background:
- Aluminum clusters are studied for their catalytic properties.
- Understanding hydrogen adsorption is crucial for energy applications.
- Doping can modify cluster reactivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of vanadium doping on aluminum cluster hydrogen adsorption.
- To determine the size-dependent effects of vanadium on reactivity.
- To elucidate the mechanism of hydrogen adsorption and dissociation.
Main Methods:
- Mass spectrometry to analyze cluster composition and reactivity.
- Infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy to probe hydrogen binding geometry.
- Density functional theory (DFT) calculations to model cluster behavior and reaction pathways.
Main Results:
- Vanadium doping significantly enhances hydrogen adsorption capacity in aluminum clusters.
- The enhancement is strongly dependent on the size of the aluminum cluster.
- Infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy confirmed H2 dissociation upon adsorption.
- Density functional theory (DFT) calculations supported experimental findings, highlighting the role of activation barriers.
Conclusions:
- Vanadium doping is an effective strategy to improve hydrogen adsorption on aluminum clusters.
- Size-dependent effects and activation barriers govern the chemisorption process.
- Orbital interactions play a critical role in the observed activation barriers for hydrogen adsorption.
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