2p Electrons Research Articles

Tailored pseudopotentials for magnesium surface core level shift calculations

In x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), identifying the origin of peaks in the spectrum can be guided by theory calculations. With density functional theory (DFT), using pseudopotentials, one can obtain the difference in photoelectron energy for electrons originating from atoms of different environments, for example surface and bulk atoms, and thus model the surface core level shift (SCLS) energies. The focus in this work is to prepare for calculations of magnesium (Mg) 2p SCLSs in material systems where dispersion interactions play a role, primarily in Mg surface degradation and adsorption of molecules as relevant, for example, in degradable bioimplants. For SCLS DFT calculations in metallic surfaces, the state of the photoelectron must be treated as a core state. In the case of Mg, standard pseudopotentials treat the 2p state as a valence state, not a core state. We therefore need Mg pseudopotentials with the 2p electrons in the core, leaving only two electrons for the valence region (the 3s electron); Two-valence electron pseudopotentials are not common, because DFT calculations of Mg-containing materials usually are better or more easily described using 10 valence electrons. In this work, new two-electron Mg pseudopotentials are therefore created for use in dispersion-inclusive DFT calculations. To our knowledge, no such two-electron Mg pseudopotentials exist, proven to work well with the nonlocal, dispersion-inclusive, exchange-correlation functional vdW-DF-cx or similar functionals. We create a number of two-electron Mg pseudopotentials and their 2p-hole partners, and for four of the most promising we assess their performance in vdW-DF-cx. We provide results for Mg and MgO bulk phases and for the Mg(0001) surface energy, structure, and SCLS, and where possible we compare with results that we obtain by using conventional 10-electron Mg pseudopotentials, all-electron calculations, and with experiments. This work not only reports and tests the specific conditions for creating 2p Mg results, it will also, we believe, be of help in creating other similar pseudopotentials to aid the analysis of XPS spectra in other materials. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

On the remarkable resistance to oxidation by the Bi18- cluster.

The reactivity of Bin- clusters (n = 2 to 30) with O2 is found to display even-odd alternations. The open-shell even-sized Bin- clusters are more reactive than the closed-shell odd-sized clusters, except Bi18-, which exhibits no observable reactivity toward O2. We have investigated the structure and bonding of Bi18- to understand its remarkable resistance to oxidation. We find that the most stable structure of Bi18- consists of two Bi8 cages linked by a Bi2 dimer, where each atom is bonded to three neighboring atoms. Chemical bonding analyses reveal that each Bi uses its three 6p electrons to form three covalent bonds with its neighbors, resulting in a Bi18- cluster without any dangling bonds. We find that the robust Bi18 framework along with the totally delocalized unpaired electron is responsible for the surprising inertness of Bi18- toward O2. The Bi18 framework is similar to that in Hittorf's phosphorus, suggesting the possibility to create bismuth nanoclusters with interesting structures and properties.

Investigation of the Electronic Structure in GaAs/AlxGa1‐xAs Quantum Dots with Four Electrons

AbstractIn this paper, a detailed analysis of the electronic structure of four‐electron quantum dots is performed with finite confinement potential by a modified variational optimization approach based mainly on the quantum genetic algorithm and the Hartree‐Fock‐Roothaan method. For the ground and higher excited configurations, our analysis covers a range of parameters like the average energies of ground and excited states, singlet and triplet state energies, orbital energies, and two‐electron Coulomb and exchange interaction energies. One‐electron kinetic energy, the Coulomb potential energy between electrons and impurity, the confinement potential energy for the electrons, and the probability of finding an electron inside or outside the quantum well are also studied. The results demonstrate that both spatial confinement and the height of the potential barrier have a pronounced effect on all energies in the strong and intermediate confinement regions, but this influence weakens significantly in large dot radii. The most substantial difference between singlet and triplet energies occurs in the 1s22s2p configurations, with this difference decreasing in higher configurations. Significant increases in the 1s and 2s orbital energies are observed at the dot radii where the 2p, 3d, and 4f electrons from the outermost orbit begin to penetrate the well.

Cross sections for electron scattering from atomic gallium

Abstract The relativistic convergent close-coupling method was applied to calculate cross sections for electron scattering on atomic gallium. The integrated and momentum-transfer cross sections for elastic scattering are presented from the 4 s 2 4 p 4P 1 / 2 , 3 / 2 electronic states for incident energies between 0.03 eV and 1000 eV. Integrated excitation cross sections are also presented from these initial states to the 4 s 2 4 [ d , f ] , 4 s 2 5 [ s , p , d ] , 4 s 2 6 [ s , p ] and 4 s 2 7 s manifolds, as well as cross sections for excitation of the 4 s 2 4 p 2P 1 / 2 state to the 4 s 2 4 p 2P 3 / 2 state. Estimates were presented for the total single ionisation cross section and total cross section for scattering on gallium in the 4 s 2 4 p 2P 1 / 2 , 3 / 2 states, including direct ionisation from the 4p, 4s and 3d electrons, and excitation-autoionisation contributions from the 4s and 3d electrons. The estimated total single ionisation cross section was found to agree well with existing experimental data.

Measurement of coherent vibrational dynamics with X-ray Transient Absorption Spectroscopy simultaneously at the Carbon K- and Chlorine L2,3- edges

X-ray Transient Absorption Spectroscopy (XTAS) is a powerful probe for ultrafast molecular dynamics. The evolution of XTAS signal is controlled by the shapes of potential energy surfaces of the associated core-excited states, which are difficult to directly measure. Here, we study the vibrational dynamics of Raman activated CCl4 with XTAS targeting the C 1s and Cl 2p electrons. The totally symmetric stretching mode leads to concerted elongation or contraction in bond lengths, which in turn induce an experimentally measurable red or blue shift in the X-ray absorption energies associated with inner-shell electron excitations to the valence antibonding levels. The ratios between slopes of different core-excited potential energy surfaces (CEPESs) thereby extracted agree very well with Restricted Open-Shell Kohn-Sham calculations. The other, asymmetric, modes do not measurably contribute to the XTAS signal. The results highlight the ability of XTAS to reveal coherent nuclear dynamics involving < 0.01 Å atomic displacements and also provide direct measurement of forces on CEPESs.

Electron impact ionization in dense plasmas

The distorted-wave with exchange (DWE) method is employed to evaluate electron impact ionization cross sections in dense electron–ion plasmas. Bound and continuum electron wave functions are obtained from a non-relativistic average-atom code. Plots of DWE cross sections are presented for 1s electrons in Li and Be plasmas and 2p electrons in Na and Mg plasmas. For each of these elements, cross sections are evaluated at metallic density in a range of temperatures from 10 to 100 eV and at their respective melting points. Resonances in the cross sections appear near the incident energy threshold at high temperatures. The origin of these resonances is discussed. In general, the distorted wave (DW) method without exchange is found to be a good approximation to the DWE method for electron impact ionization calculations. In the resonance region, however, exchange effects are found to be very important and cannot be neglected.

Exploiting the Correlation between the 1s, 2s, and 2p Energies for the Prediction of Core-Level Binding Energies of Si, P, S, and Cl species.

The binding energies (BEs) of the 1s, 2s, and 2p core electrons of third-period elements (Si, P, S, Cl) were calculated using Hartree-Fock (HF) and B3LYP, BH&HLYP, and LC-BOP ΔSCF, and the shifted KS ΔSCF methods. Linear relationships between two BEs were derived and compared with the Auger parameter. The derived lines are essentially parallel, with only the intercepts differing. The difference in intercepts is due to the lack of electron correlation effects in HF and the self-interaction errors (SIEs) of the functional. The slope is the slope of the linear relationship between the chemical shifts. The straight lines between the 2s and 2p BEs also coincided with the Auger parameter lines, which have a slope of 1 by definition and an intercept being the difference between the 2s and 2p BEs. The shifted KS ΔSCF scheme compensates for SIEs, yielding equations that are approximately invariant. The calculated average gaps for the 2s and 2p BEs are 51.21 eV for Si, 57.48 eV for P, 63.85 eV for S, and 70.48 eV for Cl. The straight lines representing the relationships between the BEs of the 1s and 2s and 1s and 2p electrons are also parallel to each other in ΔSCF and converge into a single line in the shifted ΔSCF scheme. However, these lines are steeper than the Auger parameter line. The derived relationships can be used to predict unknown BEs, which we have applied to many molecules. The results are highly accurate, with mean absolute errors (MAEs) of less than 0.2 eV compared to experimental values.

Evolution of copper ions in nanostructured Cu[formula omitted]O according to X-ray absorption spectroscopy data

Soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (Cu L and O K spectra ) was applied to identify changes in the charge states of copper ions in quasi-statically loaded (torsion under pressure) Cu2O. As was found from our X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption experiments, an increase in the degree of deformation lead to a decrease in the areas of coherent scattering (sizes of nanograins), to partial amorphization of oxides, and to a slight increase in the concentration of Cu2+ ions on the surface of the Cu2O samples. No new phases were detected using X-ray diffraction measurements. The repeated measurements of the Cu L and O K spectra of the nanostructured Cu2O samples after two years showed significantly more intense signals at high photon energies, indicating the appearance of Cu2+ ions on the surface of nanostructured Cu2O, corresponding to the CuO phase. It was shown that two types of Cu2+ ions on the surface of Cu2O samples with different binding energies of Cu 2p electrons could be formed.

Rescue of dead MnO2 for stable electrolytic Zn-Mn redox-flow battery: a metric of mediated and catalytic kinetics.

The virtues of electrolytic MnO2 aqueous batteries are high theoretical energy density, affordability and safety. However, the continuous dead MnO2 and unstable Mn2+/MnO2 electrolysis pose challenges to the practical output energy and lifespan. Herein, we demonstrate bifunctional cationic redox mediation and catalysis kinetics metrics to rescue dead MnO2 and construct a stable and fast electrolytic Zn-Mn redox-flow battery (eZMRFB). Spectroscopic characterizations and electrochemical evaluation reveal the superior mediation kinetics of a cationic Fe2+ redox mediator compared with the anionic ones (e.g. I- and Br-), thus eliminating dead MnO2 effectively. With intensified oxygen vacancies, density functional theory simulations of the reaction pathways further verify the concomitant Fe-catalysed Mn2+/MnO2 electrolysis kinetics via charge delocalization and activated O 2p electron states, boosting its rate capability. As a result, the elaborated eZMRFB achieves a coulombic efficiency of nearly 100%, ultra-high areal capacity of 80 mAh cm-2, rate capability of 20 C and a long lifespan of 2500 cycles. This work may advance high-energy aqueous batteries to next-generation scalable energy storage.

Evidence for double resonant Raman decay from a Ag surface

We have investigated the electron pair emission from a Ag(100) surface upon photon absorption which leads to the emission of a 4p photoelectron. The subsequent Auger decay proceeds in a single-step process as shown previously. Key finding was the emergence of a diagonal intensity feature in a two-dimensional kinetic energy distribution of the electron pair whose width reveals a characteristic time of 30 as for the dynamics of the core-hole decay process. We utilize this observation as a tool to identify an unexpected pathway of electron pair emission. Once the photon energy is at the threshold of a double 4p core hole creation we notice a sizeable broadening of the energy sharing distribution. We associate this process to the excitation of two 4p electrons between the Fermi and vacuum level followed by radiation less double electron excitation. This feature is characterized by an energy sum of the pair which disperses linearly with the photon energy. Therefore, we regard it as a double resonant Raman decay. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Seeing the Unseen: The Structural Influence of the Lone Pair Electrons in PbWO4.

Pair distribution function (PDF) analysis of the scheelite-type material PbWO4 reveals previously unidentified short-range structural distortions in the PbO8 polyhedra and WO4 tetrahedra not observed in the similarly structured CaWO4. These local distortions are a result of the structural influence of the Pb2+ 6s2 lone pair electrons. These are not evident from the Rietveld analysis of synchrotron X-ray or neutron powder diffraction data, nor do they strongly influence the X-ray PDF (XPDF). This illustrates the importance of neutron PDF (NPDF) in the study of such materials. First-principles density function theory (DFT) calculations show that the Pb2+ 6s2 electrons are hybridized with the O2- 2p electrons near the Fermi level. The presence of local-scale distortions has previously been neglected in studies of structure-functionality relationships in PbWO4 and other scheelite-structured photocatalytic materials, including BiVO4, and this observation opens new avenues for their optimization.

Investigation of structural and electronic properties of ZnO using first principle calculations

In this research, first-principle calculations have been performed to study the geometry structure and electronic properties of ZnO. All possible exchange-correlation energy functionals were used to perform geometry optimization of ZnO in order to find the efficient calculation conditions. Bandgap energy, density of states (DOS), projected DOS (PDOS); and other properties of ZnO were also calculated and discussed. The calculated band-gap value of ZnO is less than 1.0 eV, much smaller than experimental value of 3.37 eV; while the PDOS results indicate the important roles of O 2p and Zn 3d orbitals in ZnO band structures. The well-known limitation of band-gap value calculations using Density Functional Theory (DFT) was solved by applying Hubbard potential on Zn 3d and O 2p orbitals. A full investigation with Hubbard value varying from 0.5 to 10 eV has been performed and the selected value is 8.0 eV for both Zn 3d and O 2p electrons.

First-Principles Investigation on the Adsorption and Diffusion of Oxygen at the B2(110)–O(001) Interface in Ti2AlNb Alloys

The adsorption and diffusion of oxygen at the B2(110)[1¯11]||O(001)[11¯0] interface in Ti2AlNb alloys were investigated via first-principles calculations. Only a 2.6% interfacial mismatch indicates that B2(110)–O(001) is basically a stable coherent interface. The calculated adsorption energies and diffusion energy barriers show that oxygen prefers to occupy the Ti-rich interstitial sites, and once trapped, it hardly diffuses to other interstitial sites, thus promoting the preferential formation of Ti oxides. Under the premise of a Ti-rich environment, a Nb-rich environment is more favorable for oxygen adsorption than an Al-rich environment. The electronic structures suggest that O 2p orbitals mainly occupy the energy region below −5 eV, bonding with its coordinated atoms of Ti, Al, and Nb. However, Al 3p and Nb 4d orbitals near the Fermi level couple with sparsely distributed O 2p orbitals, forming anti-bonding, which is not conducive to oxygen adsorption. Because Nb 4d electrons are more localized than Al 3p electrons are, Nb–O anti-bonding is weaker. O–Ti has almost no contribution to anti-bonding, suggesting good bonding between them. This is consistent with the experimental observations that TiO2 is the main oxidation product.

Electronic Properties of Ultrathin InGaN/GaN Heterostructures under the Influences of Laser and Electric Fields: Investigation of the Harmonic and Inharmonic Potentials

Defects and impurities within semiconductor materials pose significant challenges. This investigation scrutinizes the response of a single dopant donor impurity located in nanostructured semiconductors, specifically quantum wells subjected to both harmonic and inharmonic confinement potentials. The primary focus of this inquiry centers on the analysis of binding energy, electron probability distribution, and diamagnetic susceptibility in connection with both the ground (1s) and excited (2p) electron states. Utilizing advanced computational techniques, specifically the Finite Elements Method (FEM) implemented through Python code, this study unveils a marked alteration in the interaction between electrons and impurities when exposed to external fields. Significantly, the characteristics of the confinement potential exert a substantial influence on the explored physical parameters. This research significantly advances our understanding of the interaction between impurities and intense fields, offering valuable insights into solid-state phenomena within low-dimensional systems. Consequently, it contributes to the design and fabrication of next-generation applications in the field of quantum well systems, encompassing areas such as lighting, detection, information processing, sensing, and energy conversion.

A p-d block synergistic effect enables robust electrocatalytic oxygen evolution

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER), occurring at the anode of electrochemical water splitting requires a comprehensive understanding of oxygen electrocatalysis mechanism to optimize its efficiency. Atomically dispersed transition metal supported by nitrogen-doped carbon is featured with excellent catalytic performance. Herein, we report a Mg/Co bimetal site which utilizes Mg 3p electrons with strong binding of *OH (the first key reaction intermediates in the free energy diagram) to trigger the OER reaction and Co 3d itinerant character to regulate the binding strength of *O. Benefiting from the fine-tuned adsorption/desorption possesses, the optimized catalyst delivers superior OER activity with low overpotential, i.e., 310 mV at a current density of 10 mA/cm2 and 455 mV at 100 mA/cm2. Moreover, the current density is able to be maintained at 10 mA/cm2 for 10 h, consistent with the theoretical simulations for oxidization process, which demonstrates stable configurations after multiple *OH modification, revealing robust applicability in alkaline medium.

Semiempirical molecular-orbital calculations of dissociation energies of small molecules containing light elements

A semiempirical molecular-orbital approach has been developed to calculate the dissociation energies of 57 second-row neutral and charged diatomic molecules. One-electron energies and wave functions were used. The 2s and 2p electrons have separate energies and separate values of Z 2S and Z 2P . Calculations were made with a CNDO/INDO FORTRAN programme modified to a level of approximation that is more similar to extended Hückel calculations than to either CNDO or INDO. The correlation between calculated and experimental dissociation energies was favourable with a relative standard deviation of 15%. Additionally, dipole moments for the molecules were calculated concurrently with the same parameters. The correlation between calculated and experimental dipole moments was favourable for seventeen molecules with a relative standard deviation of 19%. The correlation between calculated and experimental ionisation potentials for fourteen molecules was also favourable with a relative standard deviation of 11%. Also, a repulsion work function was formulated and used in this work between pairs of atoms. For 90% of the molecules studied, the maximum calculated dissociation energy occurred within ±0.1 Å of the experimental bond distance. The semiempirical methods used in the present work could be used for future studies of larger molecules, including organic molecules.

Intermetallic charge transfer in MTiF6·6H2O (M = Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni): A study by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) of a series of hydrated fluoridotitanates MTiF6∙6H2O (M = Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) were measured for the first time. The compounds were grown in the form of high-quality single crystals and belong to the extensive ABF6∙6H2O family. Under the action of the XPS experimental conditions (vacuum and X-ray), the process of charge transfer from divalent transition metal to the titanium atom develops, which is described as intermetallic (intervalence) charge transfer (IMCT, IVCT): M2+ + Ti4+ → M3+ + Ti3+. Dehydration and hydrolysis of the studied complexes promote the process of charge transfer through the association of isolated octahedra by an edge or a vertex. The obtained XPS data were compared with those available in the literature, which are rather ambiguous for cobalt compounds. In our case, the binding energy of Co 2p electrons is higher for Co3+ than for Co2+ in an octahedral environment.

Co–Fe–oxide nanoparticles supported on the various highly dispersed matrices: the effect of the carrier on structural and magnetic properties

sA series of mixed oxides was synthesized by deposition of the guest phase on the highly dispersed oxide matrix. Fumed nanooxides SiO2, Al2O3, SiO2/Al2O3, and SiO2/Al2O3/TiO2 with the specific surface area of 65–91 m2/g were selected as highly dispersed matrices. Co–Fe mixed oxides with the general formula Co4xFexOy (Co: Fe = 4: 1) were deposited as the guest oxides using the two-step method: (i) solvate-stimulated modification of the surface of fumed nanocarriers with the mixture of cobalt nitrate (II) and iron (III) formate and (ii) subsequent heat treatment up to 600 °C to form Co4xFexOy. The aim of this paper was to study the influence of the composition and structure of fumed oxide matrices and deposited guest phase on the morphology of the resulting composites in the gaseous and aqueous media using the XRD, XPS, FTIR, nitrogen adsorption and SEM/EDX, as well as quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS) methods. The low-temperature nitrogen adsorption isotherms have a sigmoidal shape with a narrow hysteresis loop characteristic of mesoporous materials. The specific surface area (SBET) of the composites varies from 48 to 82 m2/g, showing a tendency towards a decrease in the SBET values by 10–26% in comparison with the initial nanocarriers. The SEM data show the denser aggregate structure of nanocomposites compared to the initial carriers. The primary particle size was in the 30–60 nm range and the EDX data confirm the formation of a guest phase on the mixed aluminosilicate carriers, mainly in the surface patches corresponding to the alumina structure. According to the QELS data, there is a tendency to form aggregates of 100–10 μm in size in the aqueous media. The XRD method shows that the deposited metal oxides are in the form of crystalline phases of Co3O4 with the crystallites of 25–26 nm in size for the individual SiO2 and Al2O3 nanocarriers and 34–37 for the mixed ones, but the iron oxide reflections were not identified for the composites. XPS observation demonstrates the signal of Fe 2p electrons as the form of Fe2O3 oxide in the surface layer of nanocomposites as well as Co 2p as the Co3O4 and Co(OH)2.

Inhibiting mechanisms and applications of novel Al-starch for ultrafine gangue minerals based on experimental and computational study

Ultrafine gangue minerals of calcite and chlorite seriously affect the flotation of valuable mineral, and its inhibition is difficult to achieve using conventional depressants. This study finds the Al-starch colloidal depressants can inhibit the flotation of ultrafine calcite and chlorite, which significantly increases the grade of valuable minerals in concentrates of actual ores. When the chemisorption of Al-starch is occurred on mineral surface, the zeta potential of calcite decreases whilst that of chlorite increases. With the treatment of Al-starch, the initial functional group peaks of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurement on the surface of calcite and chlorite are shifted, and the new O-Al functional group is generated. Meanwhile, the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement peaks of O1 s atom is changed, and the Al2p atom peak is generated. Furthermore, the optimal structure of Al-starch is O1—Al—O6, and the optimal adsorptive configuration on calcite (104) surface, hydroxyl-terminated and silica-terminated chlorite (001) surface are (Og1 Og2)—Al—(Om1 Om2), (Og1 Og2)—Al—(Oh1 Oh2 Oh3) and Og2—Al—(Om1 Om2 Om3 Og4) with adsorptive energy of − 678.50 kJ/mol, − 353.49 kJ/mol and − 475.05 kJ/mol, respectively. During the adsorption, the 3 s and 3p orbitals of Al on Al-starch accept the 2 s and 2p electrons of O atom on mineral surface.

Near-Isotropic Local Attosecond Charge Transfer within the Anisotropic Puckered Layers of Black Phosphorus.

Black phosphorus possesses useful two-dimensional (2D) characteristics of van der Waals coupled materials but additionally features an in-plane anisotropic puckered layer structure that deviates from common 2D materials. Three distinct directions exist within the lattice of black phosphorus: the in-plane armchair and zigzag directions and the out-of-plane direction, with each distinct phosphorus 3p partial density of states. This structural anisotropy is imprinted onto various collective long-range properties, while the extent to which local electronic processes are governed by this directionality is unclear. At the P L1 edge, the directional selectivity of the core-hole clock method was used to probe the local charge transfer dynamics of electrons excited into the 3p-derived conduction band on an attosecond time scale. Here we show that the surprisingly small anisotropy of 3p electron transfer times reflects the similarly small differences in the 3p-derived unoccupied density of states caused by the underlying phosphorus bonding angles within the puckered layers.