Cerium oxyhydroxide clusters: Formation, structure, and reactivity

Cerium oxyhydroxide cluster anions were produced by irradiating ceric oxide particles by using 355 nm laser pulses that were synchronized with pulses of nitrogen gas admitted to the irradiation chamber. The gas pulse stabilized the nascent clusters that are largely anhydrous [Ce _xO _y] ions and neutrals. These initially formed species react with water, principally forming oxohydroxy species that are described by the general formula [Ce _xO _y(OH) ₇] ^- for which all the Ce atoms are in the IV oxidation state. In general, the extent of hydroxylation varies from a value of three OH per Ce atom when χ = 1 to a value slightly greater than 1 for χ ≥ 8. The Ce ₃ and Ce ₆ species deviate significantly from this trend: the χ = 3 cluster accommodates more hydroxyl moieties compared to neighboring congeners at χ = 2 and 4. Conversely, the χ = 6 cluster is significantly less hydroxylated than its χ = 5 and 7 neighbors. Density functional theory (DFT) modeling of the cluster structures shows that the hydrated clusters are hydrolyzed, and contain one-to-multiple hydroxide moieties, but not datively bound water. DFT also predicts an energetic preference for formation of highly symmetric structures as the size of the clusters increases. The calculated structures indicate that the ability of the Ce ₃ oxyhydroxide to accommodate more extensive hydroxylation is due to a more open, hexagonal structure in which the Ce atoms can participate in multiple hydrolysis reactions. Conversely the Ce ₆ oxyhydroxide has an octahedral structure that is not conducive to hydrolysis. In addition to the fully oxidized (Ce(IV)) oxyhydroxides, reduced oxyhydroxides (containing a Ce(III) center) are also formed. These become more prominent as the size of the clusters increases, suggesting that the larger ceria clusters have an increased ability to accommodate a reduced Ce(III) moiety. In addition, the spectra offer evidence for the formation of superoxide derivatives that may arise from reaction of the reduced oxyhydroxides with dioxygen. The overall intensity of the clusters tends to monotonically decrease as the cluster size increases; however, this trend is interrupted at Ce ₁₃, which is significantly more stable compared to neighboring congeners, suggesting formation of a dehydrated Keggintype structure.