Study of Transition Metal-Carbon Mixed Clusters: From Gas Phase to Condensed Phase

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9622733 Wang This project will investigate the structure and formation of metal carbide clusters (MxCy, where M is a metal and C is elemental carbon) in the gas phase, as well as the nanomaterials formed by these clusters in the condensed phase. The gas phase study involves anion photoelectron spectroscopy, which will provide fundamental understanding of the structure and bonding of the MxCy clusters in a wide size range. The technique is also sensitive to subtle differences in bonding and structures between carbon and different transition metals. The condensed phase study involves preparation of MxCy nanocluster samples by a novel laser vaporization deposition technique and characterization using various modern microscopies (TEM, STM, AFM). The gas phase studies will lead to insight into the formation mechanisms of three classes of novel materials: endohedral metallo-fullerenes, single-shell carbon nanotubes, and metallo-carbohedrenes. Through the combined gas phase and condensed phase studies, this project has the potential to discover new carbon-metal nanoclusters with novel electronic and catalytic properties and efficient methods to synthesize them. The project involves major collaborative work at the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories. The project is co-funded between the Condensed Matter Physics Program and the Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Program NSF. %%% Carbon and metals form a class of metal carbide materials with unusual properties that find applications in electronic materials for making faster computers, in catalysis, such as automobile catalytic converters, and in tool hardening manufacturing processes. These properties can be enhanced or modified when the materials are made of small carbide particles, called nanoclusters, some of which are composed of new, stable metal-carbon molecules. This project investigates the mechanisms of formation of such carbide nanoparticles and the new metal-carbon molecular forms, and al so will study the unique physical and chemical properties of these clusters. Understanding the formation mechanisms will lead to more efficient methods to tailor the design of the nanoclusters with desired properties. The project involves major collaborative work at the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories. The project is co-funded between the Condensed Matter Physics Program and the Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Program NSF. ***