Room Temperature Metalation of 2H-TPP Monolayer on Iron and Nickel Surfaces by Picking up Substrate Metal Atoms

Here, it is demonstrated, using high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, that 2<i>H</i>-tetraphenyl porphyrins metalate at room temperature by incorporating a surface metal atom when a (sub)monolayer is deposited on 3d magnetic substrates, such as Fe(110) and Ni(111). The calculations demonstrate that the redox metalation reaction would be exothermic when occurring on a Ni(111) substrate with an energy gain of 0.89 eV upon embedding a Ni adatom in the macrocycle. This is a novel way to form, <i>via</i> chemical modification and supramolecular engineering, 3d-metal–organic networks on magnetic substrates with an intimate bond between the macrocycle molecular metal ion and the substrate atoms. The achievement of a complete metalation by Fe and Ni can be regarded as a test case for successful preparation of spintronic devices by means of molecular-based magnets and inorganic magnetic substrates

Silicon Monomer Formation and Surface Patterning of Si(001)‑2 × 1 Following Tetraethoxysilane Dissociative Adsorption at Room Temperature

The adsorption of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS, Si­[OC₂H₅]₄) on the Si(001)-2 × 1 surface at 300 K is studied through a joint experimental and theoretical approach, combining scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and synchrotron radiation X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) with first-principles simulations within the density functional theory (DFT). XPS shows that all Si–O bonds within the TEOS molecules are broken upon adsorption, releasing one Si atom per dissociated molecule, while the ethoxy (−OC₂H₅) groups form new Si–O bonds with surface Si dimers. A comparison between experimental STM images and DFT adsorption configurations shows that the four ethoxy groups bind to two second-neighbor silicon dimers within the same row, while the released silicon atom is captured as a monomer on an adjacent silicon dimer row. Additionally, the surface displays alternate ethoxy- and Si adatom-covered rows as TEOS coverage increases. This patterning, which spontaneously forms upon TEOS adsorption, can be used as a template for the nanofabrication of one-dimensional self-organized structures on Si(001)-2 × 1

Self-Assembled Multilayer Graphene Oxide Membrane and Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized Using a Rare Form of Natural Graphite

The fabrication of flexible multilayer graphene oxide (GO) membrane and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using a rare form of high-purity natural graphite, vein graphite, is reported for the first time. Graphite oxide is synthesized using vein graphite following Hummer’s method. By facilitating functionalized graphene sheets in graphite oxide to self-assemble, a multilayer GO membrane is fabricated. Electric arc discharge is used to synthesis CNTs from vein graphite. Both multilayer GO membrane and CNTs are investigated using microscopy and spectroscopy experiments, i.e., scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), core level photoelectron spectroscopy, and C <i>K</i>-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (NEXAFS), to characterize their structural and topographical properties. Characterization of vein graphite using different techniques reveals that it has a large number of crystallites, hence the large number of graphene sheets per crystallite, preferentially oriented along the (002) plane. NEXAFS and core level spectra confirm that vein graphite is highly crystalline and pure. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and C 1s core level spectra show that oxygen functionalities (−C–OH, −CO,–C–O–C−) are introduced into the basal plane of graphite following chemical oxidation. Carbon nanotubes are produced from vein graphite through arc discharge without the use of any catalyst. HRTEM confirm that multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNTs) are produced with the presence of some structure in the central pipe. A small percentage of single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) are also produced simultaneously with MWNTs. Spectroscopic and microscopic data are further discussed here with a view to using vein graphite as the source material for the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials

Chemical Bonds and Charge-Transfer Dynamics of a Dye–Hierarchical-TiO₂ Hybrid Interface

The adsorption of Zn-tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP) on nanoporous hierarchically organized anatase TiO₂ structures and the properties of the corresponding hybrid interface were studied by synchrotron radiation experiments. The molecular structure, electronic properties, and bonding with nanostructured TiO₂ surfaces were analyzed by photoemission (XPS and UPS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The charge transfer at the interface was investigated by means of valence band resonant photoemission experiments (ResPES) at the C K-edge. We show that the charge-transfer dynamics between the photoexcited ZnTPP and TiO₂ is strongly influenced by the presence of defects on the TiO₂ surface. On a stoichiometric anatase nanostructure, ZnTPP bonding occurs primarily via carbon atoms belonging to the molecular phenyl rings, and this creates a preferential channel for the charge transfer. This phenomenon is reduced in the case of defective TiO₂ surface, where ZnTPP interacts mainly through the molecule macrocycle. Our results represent a surface science study of the dye molecule behavior on a nanoporous TiO₂ photoanode relevant to dye-sensitized or hybrid solar cell applications, and they show the importance of the surface oxidation state for the charge-transfer process

Physical Delithiation of Epitaxial LiCoO₂ Battery Cathodes as a Platform for Surface Electronic Structure Investigation

We report a novel delithiation process for epitaxial thin films of LiCoO2(001) cathodes using only physical methods, based on ion sputtering and annealing cycles. Preferential Li sputtering followed by annealing produces a surface layer with a Li molar fraction in the range 0.5 x < 1, characterized by good crystalline quality. This delithiation procedure allows the unambiguous identification of the effects of Li extraction without chemical byproducts and experimental complications caused by electrolyte interaction with the LiCoO2 surface. An analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) provides a detailed description of the delithiation process and the role of O and Co atoms in charge compensation. We observe the simultaneous formation of Co4+ ions and of holes localized near O atoms upon Li removal, while the surface shows a (2 × 1) reconstruction. The delithiation method described here can be applied to other crystalline battery elements and provide information on their properties that is otherwise difficult to obtain