Mass spectrometry and its role in advancing cluster science

• Published in: International journal of mass spectrometry Vol. 377; no. C; pp. 235 - 247
• Main Authors: Jena, P., Castleman, A.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.02.2015; Elsevier
• Subjects: Atomic and electronic structure; Atomic packing; Cluster science; Electronic structure; Magic numbers; Mass spectrometry; Nanomaterial; Solvation phenomenon; van der Waal’s bonding; Atomic and electronic structure; Electronic structure; Atomic packing; Cluster science; van der Waal’s bonding; Solvation phenomenon; Magic numbers; Nanomaterial; Mass spectrometry
• ISSN: 1387-3806; 1873-2798
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijms.2014.08.033

Mass spectra of C60 and Ti8C12 and corresponding structures. [Display omitted] •Contribution of mass spectrometry to the advancement of cluster science is traced.•Relationship between magic numbers and intense peaks in the mass spectra is established.•Role of electron counting rules in the occurrence of magic numbers is demonstrated..•Impact of mass spectrometry on structure–property relationships of clusters is highlighted.•Specific examples include rare gas and alkali metal clusters, fullerenes, Met-Cars, and Zintl ions. Clusters composed of a few to a few hundred atoms are the ultimate nanoparticles where every atom and every electron count. Over the past 50 years clusters have evolved as a new field of matter intermediate between atoms and bulk. In this retrospective we trace the role mass spectrometry has played in this emerging field with emphasis on how extremely intense mass peaks indicating a high abundance of clusters led to the discovery of magic numbers in alkali metal clusters, the fullerenes in carbon clusters, and “Met-Cars” in transition-metal carbide clusters. Magic numbers in alkali metal clusters in turn helped bridge the gap between two disparate fields, atomic physics and nuclear physics. Studies of mass spectra combined with theory and a variety of other experimental techniques have since led to a fundamental understanding of the structure–property relationships of clusters, thus broadening the scope of cluster science. Clusters not only serve as a bridge between atoms and bulk and between atomic and nuclear physics, but also as a bridge across many disciplines. Although this retrospective is focused on atomic clusters, briefly discussed is the solvation phenomenon, a subject to which mass spectrometry has and continues to make a large contribution.