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

在这个由化学系化学结构、动力学和机理计划资助的项目中，布朗大学的王来胜教授将与他的研究生和本科生研究人员一起，研究大金团簇的结构以及如何通过掺杂原子来改变金团簇的性质。这些团簇将通过激光蒸发产生，并将通过理论计算辅助的质谱学和光电子能谱相结合的方法进行研究。这项研究的最终目的是了解金纳米粒子新发现的催化性能的机理。为此，WANG小组还将研究吸附在金团簇上的CO和O2，这将有助于从分子水平上了解金纳米粒子对CO的氧化。在该计划的支持下，另一个研究方向是利用电喷雾电离和光电子能谱研究气相中的溶液相分子，这是WANG小组开发的一种独特的实验技术。他们将重点研究金配体络合物，旨在更好地了解金原子的化学键性质。在该计划支持的先前研究中已经发现，金原子可以在某些含金原子团簇中表现得像氢原子一样。Wang小组有兴趣进一步探讨Au与各种化学配体的共价键特征。越来越多的研究发现，金的络合物在溶液中可以催化重要的有机转化。更深入地了解金原子的化学键性质，可以深入了解金配合物催化均相催化的中间体和机理，金纳米粒子在催化、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这样的仔细研究建立了这些物种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个纳米技术领域。在王教授的研究组接受研究培训的学生将学习在独特的大学/国家实验室环境中使用尖端设备。王教授的金星团研究引起了公众的兴趣，王教授继续是一名优秀的科学大使。

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.