Project Details
Projekt
Understanding and Controlling Reactions in Charge-imbalanced Layers of Soft-landed Ions by Precise Tuning of Surface Properties
Subject Area
Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
Term
since 2024
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 536104421
Ion soft-landing (preparative mass spectrometry) enables the preparation of surface layers using mass selected complex ions from the gas phase. The charge balancing processes which occur in surface layers generated by deposition of ions of one polarity are yet little understood, in particular, if precharged molecular ions are deposited which are known to remain charged. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the processes occurring in these layers, we target a systematic study. Cathodic arc plasma deposition (with macroparticle filtering) will be used to generate atomically smooth surfaces covered by thin insulating layers of adjustable properties (e.g. thickness and resistance against breakdown). We will synthesize new precharged ions (e.g. dodecaborate anions) containing various functional groups to study in detail their reactivity after soft-landing on the different surfaces. By coupling different redox- and pH indicators to precharged ions, we will synthesize “functionalized layers”. These ions will be used as an in situ “read out” for the conditions of the ions on the different surfaces after soft-landing and aging of the layers.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
