Dependence of the Reaction Probability of Benzene on the Size of Gaseous Niobium Clusters.
Abstract
Small niobium atomic clusters (Nbx, x = 1-15), synthesized by laser vaporization in a supersonic molecular beam system, are mixed with benzene in a fast flow reactor and detected by excimer laser photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The ratio of the observed mass peak ion intensity of NbxC6 to that of NbxC6H6 + NbxC6 at low excimer laser intensities is used as a measure of the observed conversion of NbxC6H6 into NbxC6. This probability is found to have a threshold for conversion near x = 4 with maxima at x = 5 or 6 and 11. The ratio also shows a minimum for those clusters containing 8 and 10 atoms, similar to the previously observed reactivity of these two clusters and their cations toward H2 and N2. This observed variation in the NbxC6H6 to NbxC6 conversion reaction is discussed in terms of the stabilities of benzene and the bare metal clusters relative to NbxC6 and 3H2.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 14, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA176028
Entities
People
- Mostafa El-Sayed
- R. J. St. Pierre
Organizations
- University of California, Los Angeles