Synthesis, structure and band gap energy of covalently linked cluster-assembled materials.

We have synthesized a series of cluster assembled materials in which the building blocks are As(7)(3-) clusters linked by group 12 metals, Zn, Cd and Hg, to investigate the effect of covalent linkers on the band gap energy. The synthesized assemblies include zero dimensional assemblies of [Zn(As(7))(2)](4-), [Cd(As(7))(2)](4-), [Hg(2)(As(7))(2)](4-), and [HgAsAs(14)](3-) in which the clusters are separated by cryptated counterions, and assemblies in which [Zn(As(7))(2)](4-), [Cd(As(7))(2)](4-) are linked by free alkali atoms into unusual three-dimensional structures. These covalently linked cluster-assembled materials have been characterized by elemental analysis, EDX and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure analysis revealed that in the case of Zn and Cd, the two As(7)(3-) units are linked by the metal ion, while in the case of Hg, two As(7)(3-) units are linked by either Hg-Hg or Hg-As dimers. Optical measurements indicate that the band gap energy ranges from 1.62 eV to 2.21 eV. A theoretical description based on cluster orbital theory is used to provide a microscopic understanding of the electronic character of the composite building blocks and the observed variations in the band gap energy.

On the stability of an unsupported mercury-mercury bond linking group 15 Zintl clusters.

The dimeric Zintl ion [Hg(2)(As(7))(2)](4-) has been synthesized with high crystalline yield from the reaction of an ethylendiamine solution of the intermetallic Zintl phase K(3)As(7) with diphenyl mercury. Single crystal X-ray diffraction of [K(2,2,2-crypt)](4)[Hg(2)As(14)], 1 (2,2,2-crypt = 4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.8.8]-hexacosane), reveals that the cluster anion exhibits a Hg-Hg bond and the compound has been further characterized using Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and its band gap energy was measured. Theoretical studies provide a microscopic understanding of the bonding in this unusual compound.

The Zintl ion [As7]2-: an example of an electron-deficient As(x) radical anion.

[K(2,2,2-crypt)](2)[As(7)]·THF, 1 (2,2,2-crypt = 4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane) is the first well characterized seven-atom radical anion of group 15. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirms the presence and electronic structure of [As(7)](2-). Cyclic voltammetry in DMF solution shows the As(7)(3-)/As(7)(2-) redox couple as a one-electron reversible process. Theoretical investigations explore the bonding and properties of compound 1.

Controlling band gap energies in cluster-assembled ionic solids through internal electric fields.

Assembling ionic solids where clusters are arranged in different architectures is a promising strategy for developing band gap-engineered nanomaterials. We synthesized a series of cluster-assembled ionic solids composed of [As(7)-Au(2)-As(7)](4-) in zero-, one-, and two-dimensional architectures. Higher connectivity is expected to decrease the band gap energy through band broadening. However, optical measurements indicate that the band gap energy increases from 1.69 to 1.98 eV when moving from zero- to two-dimensional assemblies. This increase is a result of the local electric fields generated by the adjacent counterions, which preferentially stabilize the occupied cluster electronic states.

Cluster-assembled materials: toward nanomaterials with precise control over properties.

One pathway toward nanomaterials with controllable band gaps is to assemble solids where atomic clusters serve as building blocks, since the electronic structures of clusters vary with size and composition. To study the role of organization in cluster assemblies, we synthesized multiple architectures incorporating As(7)(3-) clusters through control of the countercations. Optical measurements revealed that the band gaps vary from 1.1-2.1 eV, even though the assemblies are constructed from the identical cluster building block. Theoretical studies explain this variation as being a result of altering the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital levels by changing the countercations. Additional variations in the gap are made by covalently linking the clusters with species of varying electronegativity to alter the degree of charge transfer. These findings offer a general protocol for syntheses of nanoassemblies with tunable electronic properties.

Reversible lability by in situ reaction of self-assembled monolayers.

We describe a new methodology for the fabrication of controllably displaceable monolayers using a carboxyl-functionalized self-assembled monolayer and in situ Fischer esterification, a simple and reversible chemical reaction. Using an 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid monolayer as a model system, we show that in situ esterification results in the creation of subtle chemical and structural defects. These defects promote molecular exchange reactions with n-dodecanethiol molecules, leading to the complete and rapid displacement of the exposed areas. Displacement results in well-ordered crystalline n-dodecanethiolate monolayer films. We also show that the complementary hydrolysis reaction can be employed to quench the reacted monolayer, significantly hindering further displacement. The generality of reversible lability was tested by applying the in situ esterification reaction to the structurally distinct carboxyl-functionalized molecule 3-mercapto-1-adamantanecarboxylic acid. Beyond its applicability to create mixed-composition monolayers, this methodology could be combined with chemical patterning techniques, such as microdisplacement printing, to fabricate complex functional surfaces.

1-Adamantanethiolate monolayer displacement kinetics follow a universal form.

Alkanethiol molecules in solution displace 1-adamantanethiolate self-assembled monolayers on Au{111}, ultimately leading to complete molecular exchange. Specifically, here, fast insertion of n-dodecanethiolate at defects in the original 1-adamantanethiolate monolayer nucleates an island growth phase, which is followed by slow ordering of the n-dodecanethiolate domains into a denser and more crystalline form. Langmuir-based kinetics, which describe alkanethiolate adsorption on bare Au{111}, fail to model this displacement reaction. Instead, a Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov model of perimeter-dependent island growth yields good agreement with kinetic data obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry over 100-fold variation in n-dodecanethiol concentration. Rescaling the growth rate at each concentration collapses all the data onto a single universal curve, suggesting that displacement is a scale-free process. The rate of displacement varies as the square-root of the n-dodecanethiol concentration across the 0.01-1.0 mM range studied.