Anion Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Density Functional Study of Small Aluminum−Vanadium Oxide Clusters

Modulation of ODH Propane Selectivity by Zeolite Support Desilication: Vanadium Species Anchored to Al-Rich Shell as Crucial Active Sites

The commercially available zeolite HY and its desilicated analogue were subjected to a classical wet impregnation procedure with NH₄VO₃ to produce catalysts differentiated in acidic and redox properties. Various spectroscopic techniques (in situ probe molecules adsorption and time-resolved propane transformation FT-IR studies, XAS, ⁵¹V MAS NMR, and 2D COS UV-vis) were employed to study speciation, local coordination, and reducibility of the vanadium species introduced into the hierarchical faujasite zeolite. The acid-based redox properties of V centres were linked to catalytic activity in the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane. The modification of zeolite via caustic treatment is an effective method of adjusting its basicity—a parameter that plays an important role in the ODH process. The developed mesopore surface ensured the attachment of vanadium species to silanol groups and formation of isolated (SiO)₂(HO)V=O and (SiO)₃V=O sites or polymeric, highly dispersed forms located in the zeolite micropores. The higher basicity of HY_deSi, due to the presence of the Al-rich shell, aided the activation of the C−H bond leading to a higher selectivity to propene. Its polymerisation and coke formation were inhibited by the lower acid strength of the protonic sites in desilicated zeolite. The Al-rich shell was also beneficial for anchoring V species and thus their reducibility. The operando UV-vis experiments revealed higher reactivity of the bridging oxygens V-O-V over the oxo-group V=O. The (SiO)₃V=O species were found to be ineffective in propane oxidation when temperature does not exceed 400 °C.

On the structural and electronic properties of hexanuclear vanadium oxide clusters V6On(-/0) (n=12-15): is V6O12 cluster planar or cage-like?

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are carried out to investigate the structural and electronic properties of a series of hexanuclear vanadium oxide clusters V6On(-/0) (n=12-15). Generalized Koopmans' theorem is applied to predict the vertical detachment energies (VDEs) and simulate the photoelectron spectra (PES) for V6On(-) (n=12-15) clusters. Extensive DFT calculations are performed in search of the lowest-energy structures for both the anions and neutrals. All of these clusters appear to prefer the polyhedral cage structures, in contrast to the planar star-like structures observed in prior model surface studies for the V6O12 cluster. Molecular orbitals are performed to analyze the chemical bonding in the hexanuclear vanadium oxide clusters and provide insights into the sequential oxidation of V6On(-) (n=12-15) clusters. The V6On(-) (n=12-15) clusters possess well-defined V(5+) and V(3+) sites, and may serve as molecular models for surface defects. Electron spin density analyses show that the unpaired electrons in V6On(-) (n=12-14) clusters are primarily localized on the V(3+) sites rather than on the V(5+) sites. The difference gas phase versus model surface structures of V6O12 hints the critical roles of cluster-substrate interactions in stabilizing the planar V6O12 cluster on model surfaces.

Gas-Phase Neutral Binary Oxide Clusters: Distribution, Structure, and Reactivity toward CO

Neutral binary (vanadium-cobalt) oxide clusters are generated and detected in the gas phase for the first time. Their reactivities toward carbon monoxide (CO) are studied both experimentally and theoretically. Experimental results suggest that neutral VCoO4 can react with CO to generate VCoO3 and CO2. Density functional theory studies show parallel results as well as provide detailed reaction mechanisms.

Structure characterization of metal oxide clusters by vibrational spectroscopy: possibilities and prospects

This article summarizes the methodological progress that has been made in the vibrational spectroscopy of isolated polynuclear metal oxide clusters, with particular emphasis on free electron laser-based infrared action spectroscopy of gas phase clusters, over the last decade. The possibilities, limitations and prospects of the various experimental approaches are discussed using representative examples from pivotal studies in the field.