Abstract
We have studied the interaction of hydrogen with small neutral and anionic carbon clusters using density functional calculations. The geometry, stability, and electronic structure of these clusters show an odd–even alternation originating in the bonding nature of the carbon atoms. Our mass spectrometric measurements of the abundance of CnH− (n⩽10) cluster anions produced by gas-feed Cs sputtering from different crystallographic forms of carbon display similar odd–even alternation with the even-n clusters being relatively more abundant. The calculated trend in the adiabatic electron affinities shows a behavior similar to the experimental abundance pattern. We discuss a possible partial suppression of the chain-to-ring transformation (which normally occurs at n=10 in Cn−) in CnH− and compare it with our density functional calculations as well as observations in CnN−. We also observe that the size dependence of the abundance of CnH− clusters sputter ejected from a fullerene target exhibits a distinctly different power-law decline compared to crystalline and amorphous carbon.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.