Direct Visualization of Nearly Free Electron States Formed by Superatom Molecular Orbitals in a Li@C60 Monolayer.

Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we directly determine the spatial and energetic distributions of superatom molecular orbitals (SAMOs) of an Li@C60 monolayer adsorbed on a Cu(111) surface. Utilizing a weakly bonded [Li+@C60] NTf2- (NTf2-: bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide) salt makes it possible to produce a Li@C60 monolayer with high concentration of Li@C60 molecules. Because of the very uniform adsorption geometry of Li@C60 on Cu(111), the pz-SAMO, populated above the upper hemisphere of the molecule, exhibits an isotropic and delocalized nature, with an energy that is significantly lower compared to that of C60. The isotropic overlapping of pz-SAMOs in the condensed monolayer of Li@C60 results in a laterally homogeneous STM image contributing to the formation of a free-electron-like states. These findings make an important step toward further basic research and applicative utilization of Li@C60 SAMOs.

Challenges in the synthesis of corannulene-based non-planar nanographenes on Au(111) surfaces.

The on-surface synthesis of non-planar nanographenes is a challenging task. Herein, with the aid of bond-resolving scanning tunneling microscopy (BRSTM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we present a systematic study aiming at the fabrication of corannulene-based nanographenes via intramolecular cyclodehydrogenation on a Au(111) surface. The formation of non-planar targeted products is confirmed to be energetically unfavorable compared to the formation of planar/quasi-planar undesired competing monomer products. In addition, the activation of intermolecular coupling further inhibits the formation of the final targeted product. Although it was not possible to access the corannulene moiety by means of on-surface synthesis, partial cyclodehydrogenation of the molecular precursors was demonstrated.

Solid solution alloy nanoparticles of immiscible Pd and Ru elements neighboring on Rh: changeover of the thermodynamic behavior for hydrogen storage and enhanced CO-oxidizing ability.

Pd(x)Ru(1-x) solid solution alloy nanoparticles were successfully synthesized over the whole composition range through a chemical reduction method, although Ru and Pd are immiscible at the atomic level in the bulk state. From the XRD measurement, it was found that the dominant structure of Pd(x)Ru(1-x) changes from fcc to hcp with increasing Ru content. The structures of Pd(x)Ru(1-x) nanoparticles in the Pd composition range of 30-70% consisted of both solid solution fcc and hcp structures, and both phases coexist in a single particle. In addition, the reaction of hydrogen with the Pd(x)Ru(1-x) nanoparticles changed from exothermic to endothermic as the Ru content increased. Furthermore, the prepared Pd(x)Ru(1-x) nanoparticles demonstrated enhanced CO-oxidizing catalytic activity; Pd0.5Ru0.5 nanoparticles exhibit the highest catalytic activity. This activity is much higher than that of the practically used CO-oxidizing catalyst Ru and that of the neighboring Rh, between Ru and Pd.

Discovery of face-centered-cubic ruthenium nanoparticles: facile size-controlled synthesis using the chemical reduction method.

We report the first discovery of pure face-centered-cubic (fcc) Ru nanoparticles. Although the fcc structure does not exist in the bulk Ru phase diagram, fcc Ru was obtained at room temperature because of the nanosize effect. We succeeded in separately synthesizing uniformly sized nanoparticles of both fcc and hcp Ru having diameters of 2-5.5 nm by simple chemical reduction methods with different metal precursors. The prepared fcc and hcp nanoparticles were both supported on γ-Al2O3, and their catalytic activities in CO oxidation were investigated and found to depend on their structure and size.

Synergistic Formation of Radicals by Irradiation with Both Vacuum Ultraviolet and Atomic Hydrogen: A Real-Time In Situ Electron Spin Resonance Study.

We report on the surface modification of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) as an example of soft materials and biomaterials that occur under plasma discharge by kinetics analysis of radical formation using in situ real-time electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements. During irradiation with hydrogen plasma, simultaneous measurements of the gas-phase ESR signals of atomic hydrogen and the carbon dangling bond (C-DB) on PTFE were performed. Dynamic changes of the C-DB density were observed in real time, where the rate of density change was accelerated during initial irradiation and then became constant over time. It is noteworthy that C-DBs were formed synergistically by irradiation with both vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and atomic hydrogen. The in situ real-time ESR technique is useful to elucidate synergistic roles during plasma surface modification.