Tuning niobium oxide speciation in Ar and Ne matrices: an FTIR study of laser-ablated Nb and Nb₂O₅

Reactions between laser-ablated Nb and Nb₂O₅ targets and O₂ in Ar and Ne were studied using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. NbO and NbO₂ formation was preferred in reactions between ablated Nb and O atoms from the Nb₂O₅ compared to reactions between Nb and O₂. Increasing the O₂ in the gas mixture resulted in an increase in signal for primarily the (O₂)NbO₂ complex. Ions such as NbO⁺, NbO₂ ⁺, NbO₂ ^- and NbO₃ ^- were produced in reactions with laser-ablated Nb and O₂, but were absent when the Nb₂O₅ target was ablated. Matrix annealing facilitated diffusion and reactions in the matrix between NbO₂ and bare O₂ to form complexes. Vibrational spectra recorded in Ar and Ne matrices were in agreement with previous experiments and new vibrational modes for NbO₂ ^-, (O₂)NbO₂ and Nb₂O₅ are presented.