Exploring s-d, s-f, and d-f Electron Interactions in AgnCe+ and AgnSm+ by Chemical Reaction toward O2

We investigate gas-phase reactions of free Ag_nCe⁺ and Ag_nSm⁺ clusters with oxygen molecules to explore s-d, s-f, and d-f electron interactions in the finite size regime; a Ce atom has a 5d electron as well as a 4f electron, whereas a Sm atom has six 4f electrons without 5d electrons. In the reaction of Ag_nCe⁺ (n = 3-20), the Ce atom located on the cluster surface provides an active site except for n = 15 and 16, as inferred from the composition of the reaction products with oxygen bound to the Ce atom as well as from their relatively high reactivity. The extremely low reactivity for n = 15 and 16 is due to encapsulation of the Ce atom by Ag atoms. The minimum reactivity observed at n = 16 suggests that a closed electronic shell with 18 valence electrons is formed with a delocalized Ce 5d electron, while the localized Ce 4f electron does not contribute to the shell closure. As for Ag_nSm⁺ (n = 1-18), encapsulation of the Sm atom was observed for n ≥ 15. The lower reactivity at n = 17 than at n = 16 and 18 implies that an 18-valence-electron shell closure is formed with s electrons from Ag and Sm atoms; Sm 4f electrons are not involved in the shell closure as in the case of Ag_nCe⁺. The present results suggest that the 4f electrons tend to localize on the lanthanoid atom, whereas the 5d electron delocalizes to contribute to the electron shell closure.

Reaction of nitric oxide molecules on transition-metal-doped silver cluster cations: size- and dopant-dependent reaction pathways

We report size- and dopant-dependent reaction pathways as well as reactivity of gas-phase free Ag_nM⁺ (M = Sc-Ni) clusters interacting with NO. The reactivity of Ag_nM⁺, except for M = Cr and Mn, exhibits a minimum at a specific size, where the cluster cation possesses 18 or 20 valence electrons consisting of Ag 5s and dopant's 3d and 4s. The product ions range from NO adducts, Ag_nM(NO)_m⁺, and oxygen adducts, Ag_nMO_m⁺, to NO₂ adducts, Ag_nM(NO₂)_m⁺. At small sizes, Ag_nMO_m⁺ are the major products for M = Sc-V, whereas Ag_nM(NO)_m⁺ dominate the products for M = Cr-Ni in striking contrast. In both cases, these reaction products are reminiscent of those from an atomic transition metal. However, the reaction pathways are different at least for M = Sc and Ti; kinetics measurements reveal that the present oxygen adducts are formed via NO adducts, while, for example, Ti⁺ is known to produce TiO⁺ directly by reaction with a single NO molecule. At larger sizes, on the other hand, Ag_nM(NO₂)_m⁺ are dominantly produced regardless of the dopant element because the dopant atom is encapsulated by the Ag host; the NO₂ formation on the cluster is similar to that reported for undoped Ag_n⁺.