Photochemistry and UV/vis spectroscopy of hydrated vanadium cations, V⁺(H₂O)_<i>n</i>, <i>n</i> = 1-41, a model system for photochemical hydrogen evolution.

ABSTRACT: Photochemical hydrogen evolution provides fascinating perspectives for light harvesting. Hydrated metal ions in the gas phase are ideal model systems to study elementary steps of this reaction on a molecular level. Here we investigate mass-selected hydrated monovalent vanadium ions, with a hydration shell ranging from 1 to 41 water molecules, by photodissociation spectroscopy. The most intense absorption bands correspond to 3d-4p transitions, which shift to the red from n = 1 to n = 4, corresponding to the evolution of a square-planar complex. Additional water molecules no longer interact directly with the metal center, and no strong systematic shift is observed in larger clusters. Evolution of atomic and molecular hydrogen competes with loss of water molecules for all V

SUBMITTER: Heller J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8514045 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature