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At least 289 records · Page 16

Vibrations and Phase Stability in Mixed Valence Antimony Oxide

α-Sb 2 O 4 (cervantite) and β-Sb 2 O 4 (clinocervantite) are mixed valence compounds with equal proportions of Sb III and Sb V as represented in the formula Sb III Sb V O 4 . Their structure and properties can be difficult to calculate owing to the Sb III lone-pair electrons. Here, we present a study of the lattice dynamics and vibrational properties using a combination of inelastic neutron scattering, Mössbauer spectroscopy, nuclear inelastic scattering, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. DFT calculations that account for lone-pair electrons match the experimental densities of phonon states. Mössbauer spectroscopy reveals the β phase to be significantly harder than the α phase. Calculations with O vacancies reveal the possibility for nonstoichiometric proportions of Sb III and Sb V in both phases. An open question is what drives the stability of the α phase over the β phase, as the latter shows pronounced kinetic stability and lower symmetry despite being in the high-temperature phase. Since the vibrational entropy difference is small, it is unlikely to stabilize the α phase. In conclusion, our results suggest that the α phase is more stable only because the material is not fully stoichiometric.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Convergent Concordant Mode Approach for Molecular Vibrations: CMA-2

The concordant mode approach (CMA) is a promising new scheme for dramatically increasing the system size and level of theory achievable in quantum chemical computations of molecular vibrational frequencies. Here, we achieve advances in the CMA hierarchy by computations targeting CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ (coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples using a correlation-consistent polarized-valence triple-ζ basis set) benchmarks within the G2 molecular test set, executing a statistical analysis for 1501 frequencies from 111 compounds and then separately solving the refractory case of pyridine. First, MP2/cc-pVTZ (second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory with the same basis set) proves to be an excellent and preferred choice for generating the underlying (Level B) normal modes of the CMA scheme. Utilizing this Level B within the CMA-0A method reproduces the 1501 benchmark frequencies with a mean absolute error (MAE) of only 0.11 cm –1 and an attendant standard deviation of 0.49 cm –1 . Second, a convergent CMA-2 method is constituted that allows efficient computation of higher level (Level A) frequencies to any reasonable accuracy threshold by using only Hartree–Fock (HF) and MP2 or density functional theory (DFT) data to generate ξ parameters, which select the sparse off-diagonal force field elements for explicit evaluation at Level A. When Level B = MP2/cc-pVTZ, a cutoff of ξ = 0.02 provides an average maximum absolute error per molecule of only 0.17 cm –1 by incurring merely a 33% increase in average cost over CMA-0A. This CMA-2 method also eradicates the 4 problematic CMA-0A outliers of pyridine with even less effort (ξ = 0.04, 22% increase). Finally, the newly developed CMA procedures are shown to be highly successful when applied to 1-(1H-pyrrol-3-yl)ethanol, a new test molecule with diverse types of vibration.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Vibrational Bands of the 2-Butyn-1-yl Radical

This article reports the spectroscopic signature of the 2-butyn-1-yl radical. The radical is an isomer of C 4 H 5 and is is likely to be significant to reactions that occur during combustion of fuels, as well as reactions in extraterrestrial environments. In this work, the radical was formed by heating a mixture of 1-bromo-2-butyne and argon to 800 K in a pulsed, microtubular reactor. The resultant radicals and other trace products were trapped in a low-temperature argon matrix. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to record seven vibrational bands of the 2-butyn-1-yl radical. In conclusion, the experimentally observed frequencies and intensities of the seven vibrational bands were found to be consistent with computational predictions from the literature and also new calculations done in this work.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Isolating the Contributions of Specific Network Sites to the Diffuse Vibrational Spectrum of Interfacial Water with Isotopomer-Selective Spectroscopy of Cold Clusters

Decoding the structural information contained in the interfacial vibrational spectrum of water requires understanding how the spectral signatures of individual water molecules respond to their local hydrogen bonding environments. In this study, we isolated the contributions for the five classes of sites that differ according to the number of donor (D) and acceptor (A) hydrogen bonds that characterize each site. These patterns were measured by exploiting the unique properties of the water cluster cage structures formed in the gas phase upon hydration of a series of cations M+·(H2O)n (M = Li, Na, Cs, NH4, CH3NH3, H3O, and n = 5, 20-22). This selection of ions was chosen to systematically express the A, AD, AAD, ADD, and AADD hydrogen bonding motifs. The spectral signatures of each site were measured using two-color, IR-IR isotopomer-selective photofragmentation vibrational spectroscopy of the cryogenically cooled, mass selected cluster ions in which a single intact H2O is introduced without isotopic scrambling, an important advantage afforded by the cluster regime. The resulting patterns provide an unprecedented picture of the intrinsic line shapes and spectral complexities associated with excitation of the individual OH groups, as well as the correlation between the frequencies of the two OH groups on the same water molecule, as a function of network site. The properties of the surrounding water network that govern this frequency map are evaluated by dissecting electronic structure calculations that explore how changes in the nearby network structures, both within and beyond the first hydration shell, affect the local frequency of an OH oscillator. The qualitative trends are recovered with a simple model that correlates the OH frequency with the network-modulated local electron density in the center of the OH bond.

Yang, Nan↗

Vibrational signatures of HNO 3 acidity when complexed with microhydrated alkali metal ions, M + ∙(HNO 3 )(H 2 O) n =5 (M = Li, K, Na, Rb, Cs), at 20 K

The speciation of strong acids like HNO 3 under conditions of restricted hydration is an important factor in the rates of chemical reactions at the air-water interface. Here we explore the trade-offs in play when HNO 3 is attached to alkali ions (Li + -Cs + ) with four water molecules in their primary hydration shells. This is achieved by analyzing the vibrational spectra of the M + ∙(HNO 3 )(H 2 O) 5 clusters cooled to about 20 K in a cryogenic photofragmentation mass spectrometer. The local acidity of the acidic OH group is estimated by the extent of the red shift in its stretching frequency when attached to a single water molecule. Here, the persistence of this local structural motif (HNO 3 -H 2 O) in all of these alkali metal clusters enables us to determine the competition between the effect of the direct complexation of the acid with the cation, which acts to enhance acidity, and the role of the water network in the first hydration shell around the ions, which acts to counter (screen) the intrinsic effect of the ion. Analysis of the vibrational features associated with the acid molecule as well as those of the water network reveal how cooperative interactions in the micro hydration regime conspire to effectively offset the intrinsic enhancement of HNO 3 acidity afforded by attachment to the smaller cations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Vibrational Signatures of Unrealized Phosphorus Suboxide Intermediates in White Phosphorus Oxidation Reactions

White phosphorus ignition notoriously produces the phosphoric acid anhydride P 4 O 10 , yet the intermediate oxidation steps remain undetermined. Here, we report the first geometric and vibrational characterization of two P 4 O 2 isomers, P 3 OPO and P 3 PO 2 , and substantiate a previously proposed cyclic P 4 O 2 isomer. We formally assign the infrared bands observed by Andrews and Mielke at 898 and 891 cm −1 to the antisymmetric P− O−P vibrations of P 3 OPO species. Additional bands corresponding to terminal P=O and −PO 2 stretches of P 3 OPO and P 3 PO 2 discussed herein also went unrecognized due to the peculiar bonding of P 4 O 2 species compared to oxo-bridged P 4 O x (x = 3−6) species. Sequential addition of oxygen atoms to the P 4 tetrahedron appears to form P 3 OPO and P 3 PO 2 , while cyclic P 4 O 2 is formed from P 2 O dimerization. CCSD(T) geometries, CCSD(T) + MP2[δVPT2] fundamental frequencies, and enthalpies of formation extrapolated using focal-point analysis are reported. The predicted enthalpies of formation relative to tetrahedral P 4 plus 3 Σ g − O 2 for bent-P 3 OPO, extended-P 3 OPO, P 3 PO 2 , and cyclic-P 4 O 2 are −93, −88, −85, and −63 kcal mol −1 , respectively.

Molecular structure↗

Cooperative Adsorption of Trehalose to DPPC Monolayers at the Water-Air Interface Studied with Vibrational Sum Frequency Generation

A combination of surface tension, surface-specific vibrational spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry experiments were performed to examine the ability of lipid films to enrich interfacial organic content by attracting soluble, neutral saccharides from bulk aqueous solution. This “cooperative adsorption” hypothesis has been proposed as a possible source of the high organic fractions found in sea spray aerosols and is believed to be responsible for cryoprotection in some organisms. Experiments described in this work show that the neutral disaccharide trehalose (Tre) is drawn to lipid films comprised of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), a saturated lipid that is a major component of most eukaryotic cells. The effects of Tre on DPPC monolayer structure and organization were tested with tightly packed monolayers in the two-dimensional solid phase (40 Å2/molecule) and more expanded monolayers in the two dimensional liquid condensed phase (55 Å2/molecule). Surface tension data show that DPPC monolayer behaviour remains largely unchanged until Tre bulk concentrations are sufficiently high (= 50 mM). In contrast, surface specific vibrational sum frequency spectra show that when Tre bulk concentrations are = 10 mM, DPPC monolayers in their liquid condensed state (55 Å2/molecule) became more ordered, implying relatively strong noncovalent interactions between the two species. Tre also induces changes in DPPC bilayer behaviour as evidenced by a gel to liquid crystalline phase transition temperature that increases with increasing Tre concentration. This result suggests that Tre associates with the DPPC headgroups in very specific ways leading to partial dehydration. Together, these results support the cooperative adsorption mechanism under some circumstances, namely that there is a minimum aqueous phase Tre concentration required to induce observable structural changes in a lipid monolayer, and that these effects are most pronounced with DPPC monolayers in their liquid condensed state compared to a tightly packed 2-dimensional solid.

Link, Katie A.↗

Advances in Singlet Fission Chromophore Design Enabled by Vibrational Spectroscopies

Singlet fission leads to the formation of two separate triplet T 1 excitons from an initial singlet S1 exciton through 1 (TT) and 1 (T...T), multiexcitonic intermediates that retain singlet character. Its ability to achieve external quantum efficiencies higher than 100% made it an attractive candidate for optoelectronic device applications. However, singlet fission has not been applied widely despite having been investigated by a myriad of spectroscopic methods, in part due to our poor understanding of how to optimize molecular structure and packing in chromophores well-suited to large-scale production. Vibrational spectroscopies provide a solution, because they directly probe nuclear motions, allowing us to monitor evolving structural changes in molecules undergoing singlet fission, thus providing us with roadmaps to design molecules suitable for optoelectronic applications. Furthermore, this Perspective reviews the contributions and analyzes the future directions of vibrational spectroscopies to the advancement in our knowledge about the mechanisms and rational designing of chromophores undergoing efficient singlet fission.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structure, Bonding, and Vibrational Dynamics of a Triamine High Energy Density Material under Pressure

High energy density materials have complex intermolecular interactions which influence their stability and performance. We used a combination of synchrotron X-ray diffraction, synchrotron infrared spectroscopy, and Raman vibrational spectroscopy, supplemented by density functional theory calculations, to probe pressure-induced changes in structure and intermolecular interactions of 1H,4'H-[3,3'-bis(1,2,4-triazole)]-4',5,5'-triamine as a model high energy density material up to 40 GPa. We find that compression of the triamine is accompanied by increased intermolecular interactions that give rise to an interesting evolution of the structure and bonding with pressure. Analysis of the equation of state determined from the X-ray diffraction indicates a change in compression mechanism near 19 GPa consistent with changes in vibrational spectra that provide evidence for a structural rearrangement associated with changes in hydrogen bonding near that pressure. As a result, the overall compressional behavior calculated theoretically agrees with that observed experimentally though differences are found that indicate the need for improved treatment of the intermolecular interactions including hydrogen bonding under pressure.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Low Frequency Vibrational Modes of Two-Dimensional Lead-Free Metal Halide Double Perovskites

2D layered double perovskites of (S-MPA) 4 AgBiI 8 (MPA-AgBiI 8 ) and (S-MPA) 4 CuBiI 8 (MPA-CuBiI 8 ) (S-MPA, S-β-methylphenethylammonium) were synthesized with a hydrothermal method. The crystal structure of MPA-AgBiI 8 was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (scXRD). Powder XRD (pXRD) data suggest that the crystal structure of MPA-CuBiI 8 is more complex than that of MPA-AgBiI 8 . UV-Vis electronic absorption spectra of these perovskites reveal a bandgap of 2.03 eV for both. Short exciton lifetime from time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) results and low PL intensity of the Cu-based perovskite suggest a high density of trap states within the bandgap. Low frequency Raman spectra of both materials show distinct peaks and a slightly higher frequency for the Cu-based perovskite than the Ag-based perovskite. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were conducted to simulate the low frequency Raman spectra and help explain the different phonon modes, which are collective vibrations of metal halide bond bending and stretching within the Ag- and Cu-centered octahedra coupled with MPA libration and twisting within the inorganic layer. The DFT theory also quantified octahedral distortions in the two perovskites. Furthermore, this combined experimental and computational study provides new insights into the low frequency vibrations of 2D perovskites.

Halogens↗

Electronic and Vibrational Contributions to the Bulk Stabilities of Trivalent 3d Transition Metal Oxyhydroxides from Electronic Structure Calculations

Any understanding of the thermodynamic driving forces active in the global cycles of earth abundant metals requires attendant knowledge of the bulk mineral free energies. This can be particularly challenging for metal (oxyhydr)oxide phases which at low temperature aqueous conditions can be produced at a variety of hydration states and particle sizes. Here we present high quality density functional theory calculations of the relative bulk stabilities of a geologically important family of polymorphic trivalent metal oxyhydroxide crystal structures MOOH (M=Cr, Al, Fe). To improve understanding of their relative stabilities we permute the metal cations into the various possible canonical structure types including goethite (isostructural to diaspore and bracewillite), lepidocrocite (isosctructural to boehmite), guyaniite, and grimaldiite. Electronic, vibrational, and magnetic contributions are considered on a consistent theoretical footing using hybrid functionals and converged plane-wave bases. We find the considered bulk structures to be thermodynamically degenerate within the precision of the available theory, despite the fact that the vibrational and magnetic contributions vary substantially among the cations. A significant conclusion is that Cr3+ supports strong hydrogen bonds, low O-H stretching frequencies and facile H movement relative to the other cations.

Prange, Micah P.↗

Isomer-specific, Cryogenic Ion Vibrational Spectroscopy Investigation of D2-and N2- Tagged, Protonated Formic Acid Complexes Using Two Color, IR-IR Photobleaching

Here we analyze cryogenic ion vibrational spectra of tagged protonated formic acid (PFA) with electronic structure and anharmonic vibrational calculations to establish the isomers generated by electrospray ionization (ESI) followed by buffer gas cooling to ~25 K. Two isomers are identified (the trans form (E,Z) and the cis form (E,E)) and generated in comparable abundance despite the fact that the calculated E,E structure lies 6.40 kJ mol-1 above the E,Z form. A large (~60 kJ mol-1) barrier separates them such that the E,E form can be kinetically trapped upon cooling in the ion trap. The anticooperativity between the H-bonds of the OH groups is explored by measuring the shift in the D2-bound OH fundamental when a second D2 is attached. Both isomers are observed in the N2-tagged counterparts, displaying the expected red-shifted OH bands. These results indicate that ESI generates both isomers and both must be considered when analyzing cluster spectra based on the PFA core ion.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A Lens into the Cu Nanograin by In Situ Vibrational Spectroscopy

Cu-based catalysts are uniquely capable of C-C coupling during electrochemical CO 2 reduction (CO 2 R), yet further mechanistic understanding remains hampered by the lack of spectroscopically resolved descriptors that demonstrate how surface adsorbates emerge and evolve within their catalytic environment. Here, in this study, we correlate in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) to resolve the potential-dependent dynamics during CO 2 R on Cu nanograin catalysts. By building on previous benchmarking of low overpotential performance and nanograin structural evolution, we offer a diagnostic framework linking vibrational signatures to catalytic function, unveiling which species appear, persist, and turnover as the electrified surface and interfacial environment evolve under bias. The onset of linear CO is marked below -0.45 V, coincident with persistent adsorbed *OH/*O domains beyond the CO 2 R onset. In this context, Cu nanograins serve as a platform to dissect contributions of adsorbate coverage. By carefully dissecting the potential dependence of emergent twin-defect/step CO stretch bands (P1-P2), alongside the prototypical terrace-site CO stretch band (P3), we provide important context for interpreting coupled spectroscopic trends driven by coverage effects and resolve this for the evidently complex nanograin morphology. Together, these observations highlight the intertwined roles of surface stabilization and interfacial flux in steering multicarbon product formation. By directly linking vibrational signatures to catalytic behavior, this work aims to bridge the gap between observation and control and help guide toward a predictive framework of fine-tuned selectivity for CO 2 R.

Fonseca Guzman, Maria V. [University of California↗

Iron(III) Speciation Observed at Aqueous and Glycerol Surfaces: Vibrational Sum Frequency and X-ray

Aqueous solutions of FeCl 3 have been widely studied to shed light on a number of processes from dissolution, mineralization, biology, electrocatalysis, corrosion, to microbial biomineralization. Yet there are little to no molecular level studies of the air–liquid FeCl 3 interface. Here, both aqueous and glycerol FeCl 3 solution surfaces are investigated with polarized vibrational sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy. We also present the first ever extreme ultraviolet reflection–absorption (XUV-RA) spectroscopy measurements of solvated ions and complexes at a solution interface, and observe with both X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and XUV-RA the existence of Fe(III) at the surface and in the near surface regions of glycerol FeCl 3 solutions, where glycerol is used as a high vacuum compatible proxy for water. XPS showed Cl - and Fe(III) species with significant Fe(III) interfacial enrichment. In aqueous solutions, an electrical double layer (EDL) of Cl - and Fe(III) species at 0.5 m FeCl 3 concentration is observed as evidenced from an enhancement of molecular ordering of water dipoles, consistent with the observed behavior at the glycerol surface. At higher concentrations in water, the EDL appears to be substantially repressed, indicative of further Fe(III) complex enrichment and dominance of a centrosymmetric Fe(III) species that is surface active. In addition, a significant vibrational red-shift of the dangling OH from the water molecules that straddle the air–water interface reveals that the second solvation shell of the surface active Fe(III) complex permeates the topmost layer of the aqueous interface.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Quantum dynamical effects of vibrational strong coupling in chemical reactivity

Abstract Recent experiments suggest that ground state chemical reactivity can be modified when placing molecular systems inside infrared cavities where molecular vibrations are strongly coupled to electromagnetic radiation. This phenomenon lacks a firm theoretical explanation. Here, we employ an exact quantum dynamics approach to investigate a model of cavity-modified chemical reactions in the condensed phase. The model contains the coupling of the reaction coordinate to a generic solvent, cavity coupling to either the reaction coordinate or a non-reactive mode, and the coupling of the cavity to lossy modes. Thus, many of the most important features needed for realistic modeling of the cavity modification of chemical reactions are included. We find that when a molecule is coupled to an optical cavity it is essential to treat the problem quantum mechanically to obtain a quantitative account of alterations to reactivity. We find sizable and sharp changes in the rate constant that are associated with quantum mechanical state splittings and resonances. The features that emerge from our simulations are closer to those observed in experiments than are previous calculations, even for realistically small values of coupling and cavity loss. This work highlights the importance of a fully quantum treatment of vibrational polariton chemistry.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Neutron scattering and neural-network quantum molecular dynamics investigation of the vibrations of ammonia along the solid-to-liquid transition

Abstract Vibrational spectroscopy allows us to understand complex physical and chemical interactions of molecular crystals and liquids such as ammonia, which has recently emerged as a strong hydrogen fuel candidate to support a sustainable society. We report inelastic neutron scattering measurement of vibrational properties of ammonia along the solid-to-liquid phase transition with high enough resolution for direct comparisons to ab-initio simulations. Theoretical analysis reveals the essential role of nuclear quantum effects (NQEs) for correctly describing the intermolecular spectrum as well as high energy intramolecular N-H stretching modes. This is achieved by training neural network models using ab-initio path-integral molecular dynamics (PIMD) simulations, thereby encompassing large spatiotemporal trajectories required to resolve low energy dynamics while retaining NQEs. Our results not only establish the role of NQEs in ammonia but also provide general computational frameworks to study complex molecular systems with NQEs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Atomic-scale visualization of defect-induced localized vibrations in GaN

Phonon engineering is crucial for thermal management in GaN-based power devices, where phonon-defect interactions limit performance. However, detecting nanoscale phonon transport constrained by III-nitride defects is challenging due to limited spatial resolution. Here, we used advanced scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy to examine vibrational modes in a prismatic stacking fault in GaN. By comparing experimental results with ab initio calculations, we identified three types of defect-derived modes: localized defect modes, a confined bulk mode, and a fully extended mode. Additionally, the PSF exhibits a smaller phonon energy gap and lower acoustic sound speeds than defect-free GaN, suggesting reduced thermal conductivity. Our study elucidates the vibrational behavior of a GaN defect via advanced characterization methods and highlights properties that may affect thermal behavior.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Trapping light in air with membrane metasurfaces for vibrational strong coupling

Optical metasurfaces can manipulate electromagnetic waves in unprecedented ways at ultra-thin engineered interfaces. Specifically, in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) region, metasurfaces have enabled numerous biochemical sensing, spectroscopy, and vibrational strong coupling (VSC) applications via enhanced light-matter interactions in resonant cavities. However, mid-IR metasurfaces are usually fabricated on solid supporting substrates, which degrade resonance quality factors (Q) and hinder efficient sample access to the near-field electromagnetic hotspots. Besides, typical IR-transparent substrate materials with low refractive indices, such as CaF 2 , NaCl, KBr, and ZnSe, are usually either water-soluble, expensive, or not compatible with low-cost mass manufacturing processes. Here, we present novel free-standing Si-membrane mid-IR metasurfaces with strong light-trapping capabilities in accessible air voids. We employ the Brillouin zone folding technique to excite tunable, high-Q quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBIC) resonances with our highest measured Q-factor of 722. Leveraging the strong field localizations in accessible air cavities, we demonstrate VSC with multiple quantities of PMMA molecules and the qBIC modes at various detuning frequencies. Our new approach of fabricating mid-IR metasurfaces into semiconductor membranes enables scalable manufacturing of mid-IR photonic devices and provides exciting opportunities for quantum-coherent light-matter interactions, biochemical sensing, and polaritonic chemistry. The authors introduce a mid-IR metasurface fabricated by decorating a free-standing Si-membrane with air holes. The enhanced light-matter interactions in such air cavities enable vibrational strong coupling and advanced biochemical sensing.

infrared spectroscopy↗