Ligand coordination effects on gallium nanocluster reactivity

Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering and Chemistry, Murdoch University, Western Australia 6150, Australia 

Adv. Mater. Lett., 2017, 8 (8), pp 862-865

DOI: 10.5185/amlett.2017.1672

Publication Date (Web): May 23, 2017

Copyright © IAAM-VBRI Press

E-mail: d.henry@murdoch.edu.au

Abstract

Stabilisation and modulation of nanocluster reactivity are key elements for the development of these materials as versatile and selective catalysts. This study presents a preliminary investigation of the interaction of ligands with a gallium nanocluster (Ga₁₃). The amphoteric nature of Ga₁₃ means that both a Lewis base (NH₃) and a Lewis acid (BH₃) strongly adsorb to the surface of the cluster. More importantly, ligand coordination modifies the electronic structure of the cluster, leading to an enhancement of reactivity. In particular, NH₃ coordination was found to lower the energy barrier for H₂ chemisorption by 10% and BH₃ coordination led to reduction of the barrier by 20%. These results demonstrate the potential for ligand coordination as a means of accelerating reactions on cluster surfaces.

Keywords

Co-adsorption, cooperative effect, H2 chemisorption, cluster stability