Probing the Electronic Structures of Transition Metal Clusters and Solution Anions Using Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Photoelectron Imaging

本项目由布朗大学化学系化学结构、动力学和机理项目资助，由布朗大学王来生教授及其研究生和本科生研究人员共同研究大型金团簇的结构以及掺杂原子如何修饰金团簇的性质。这些团簇将由激光汽化产生，并将在理论计算的辅助下通过质谱法和光电子能谱法的结合进行研究。本研究的最终目的是了解新发现的金纳米颗粒催化性能的机制。为此，Wang小组还将研究CO和O2吸附在金团簇上，这将有助于在分子水平上理解金纳米颗粒氧化CO。本项目支持的另一个研究方向是利用电喷雾电离和光电子能谱技术研究气相中的溶液分子，这是王课组开发的一种独特的实验技术。他们将专注于金配体配合物的研究，旨在更好地理解金原子的化学键性质。在该计划支持下的先前研究中发现，金原子在某些含金簇中可以表现得像氢原子一样。Wang小组对进一步探索Au与各种化学配体的共价键特性感兴趣。越来越多地发现金配合物在溶液中催化重要的有机转化。对金原子化学键性质的深入了解，有助于深入了解金配合物均相催化的中间体和机理。金纳米颗粒在催化、分子电子学和生物学等领域有着广泛的应用。像王教授和他的团队所做的仔细研究建立了这些物质的电子和化学性质的知识库，这有助于了解这些物质发挥作用的各种纳米技术领域。在王教授的研究小组接受研究训练的学生将在独特的大学/国家实验室环境中学习使用先进的设备。王教授的黄金集群研究引起了公众的兴趣，王教授继续是一位优秀的科学大使。

In this project funded by the Chemical Structure, Dynamics and Mechanisms Program of the Division of Chemistry, Professor Lai-Sheng Wang of Brown University, together with his graduate and undergraduate student researchers, will study the structures of large gold clusters and how properties of gold clusters can be modified by dopant atoms. These clusters will be produced by laser vaporization and will be investigated through a combination of mass spectrometry and photoelectron spectroscopy aided by theoretical calculations. The ultimate goal of this research is to understanding the mechanisms of new catalytic properties discovered for gold nanoparticles. Toward this end, the Wang group will also study CO and O2 adsorbed on gold clusters, which will contribute to a molecular-level understanding of CO oxidation by gold nanoparticles.Another research direction pursued under the support of this program is to study solution phase molecules in the gas phase using electrospray ionization and photoelectron spectroscopy, a unique experimental technique developed in the Wang group. They will focus on the investigation of Au-ligand complexes, aimed at a better understanding of the chemical bonding properties of the gold atom. It has been found in prior research supported under this program that a gold atom can behave like a hydrogen atom in certain Au-containing clusters. The Wang group is interested in probing further the covalent bonding characters of Au with various chemical ligands. Gold complexes have increasingly been found to catalyze important organic transformations in solution. A deeper understanding of the chemical bonding properties of the gold atom can provide insight into the intermediates and mechanisms of homogeneous catalysis by gold complexes.Gold nanoparticles have a wide range of applications in catalysis, molecular electronics and biology. Careful studies like those of Prof. Wang and his group build a knowledge base of the electronic and chemical properties of these species which help to inform the various nanotechnology areas where these substances play a role. The students receiving research training in Prof. Wang's research group will learn to use sophisticated equipment in a unique university/national laboratory environment. Prof. Wang's gold cluster research has captured the public interest, and Prof. Wang continues to be an excellent ambassador for science.