Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2025
10:45
Stable Aqueous Suspensions of Manganese Ferrite Clusters with Tunable Nanoscale Dimension and Composition
Published on: February 5, 2022
4.3K
Stability and Reversible Oxidation of Sub-Nanometric Cu5 Metal Clusters: Integrated Experimental Study and
David Buceta1, Shahana Huseyinova1, Miguel Cuerva1
1Department of Physical Chemistry, Nanomag Laboratory, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|May 19, 2023
Summary
Sub-nanometer copper clusters (Cu5) show remarkable thermal stability and resistance to oxidation up to 773K, even with oxygen present. This unique behavior differs from bulk copper and is explained by theoretical models of oxygen interaction.
Area of Science:
- Surface Science
- Materials Chemistry
- Computational Chemistry
Background:
- Sub-nanometer metal clusters exhibit unique properties distinct from nanoparticles.
- Thermal stability and oxidation resistance are critical concerns for supported metal clusters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the thermal stability and oxidation behavior of supported copper clusters (Cu5).
- To elucidate the interaction mechanisms between Cu5 clusters and oxygen at elevated temperatures.
Main Methods:
- In situ X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) and Near Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (NAP-XPS).
- Theoretical modeling combining dispersion-corrected Density Functional Theory (DFT) and first-principles thermochemistry.
Main Results:
- Supported Cu5 clusters demonstrate resistance to irreversible oxidation up to 773 K, even under 0.15 mbar of oxygen.
- Adsorbed oxygen molecules are converted to superoxo and peroxo species via charge transfer and atomic motion.
- A distinct chemical phase diagram for the Cu5-oxygen system is presented, differing from bulk and nanostructured copper.
Conclusions:
- Sub-nanometer Cu5 clusters possess exceptional thermal and oxidative stability.
- The observed stability is attributed to unique electronic and dynamic interactions with oxygen.
- These findings challenge existing understanding of copper oxidation chemistry.
Keywords:
X-ray absorption spectroscopydensity functional calculationsnanotechnologyoxidationphotoelectron spectroscopyMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:09Complexation Equilibria: Factors Influencing Stability of Complexes
419
In complexation reactions, metal cations are the electron pair acceptors, and the ligands are the electron pair donors. The stability of the metal complexes depends primarily on the complexing ability of the central metal ion and the nature of the ligands. Generally, the complexing ability of the metal ion depends on the size and charge of the ion. As the metal ion size increases, the stability of the metal complexes decreases, provided that the valency of the metal ion and the ligands remain...
419
02:58Properties of Transition Metals
26.4K
Transition metals are defined as those elements that have partially filled d orbitals. As shown in Figure 1, the d-block elements in groups 3–12 are transition elements. The f-block elements, also called inner transition metals (the lanthanides and actinides), also meet this criterion because the d orbital is partially occupied before the f orbitals.
26.4K
03:02Colors and Magnetism
12.0K
Color in Coordination Complexes
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
12.0K
03:45Formation of Complex Ions
23.8K
A type of Lewis acid-base chemistry involves the formation of a complex ion (or a coordination complex) comprising a central atom, typically a transition metal cation, surrounded by ions or molecules called ligands. These ligands can be neutral molecules like H2O or NH3, or ions such as CN− or OH−. Often, the ligands act as Lewis bases, donating a pair of electrons to the central atom. These types of Lewis acid-base reactions are examples of a broad subdiscipline called coordination...
23.8K
02:30Stability of Substituted Cyclohexanes
12.7K
This lesson discusses the stability of substituted cyclohexanes with a focus on energies of various conformers and the effect of 1,3-diaxial interactions.
The two chair conformations of cyclohexanes undergo rapid interconversion at room temperature. Both forms have identical energies and stabilities, each comprising equal amounts of the equilibrium mixture. Replacing a hydrogen atom with a functional group makes the two conformations energetically non-equivalent.
For example, in...
The two chair conformations of cyclohexanes undergo rapid interconversion at room temperature. Both forms have identical energies and stabilities, each comprising equal amounts of the equilibrium mixture. Replacing a hydrogen atom with a functional group makes the two conformations energetically non-equivalent.
For example, in...
12.7K
02:57Coordination Number and Geometry
16.2K
For transition metal complexes, the coordination number determines the geometry around the central metal ion. Table 1 compares coordination numbers to molecular geometry. The most common structures of the complexes in coordination compounds are octahedral, tetrahedral, and square planar.
16.2K