Hydride Migration within RhH2Ag19 Superatom: A Combined Neutron Diffraction and DFT Analysis

Tzu Hao Chiu, Michael N. Pillay, Jian Hong Liao, Xiaoping Wang, Hao Liang, Samia Kahlal, Jean Yves Saillard, C. W. Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

An investigation combining neutron diffraction and DFT allows determining the most likely hydride migration pathway within the icosahedral metal framework of [RhH2Ag19{S2P(OnPr)2}12] (RhH2Ag19). Starting from the experimentally derived solid-state structures, a computational analysis is able to reveal an energetically favorable migration pathway with a maximum energy barrier of 4.2 kcal mol−1. The two hydrides migrate simultaneously within the Rh@Ag12 icosahedral core, traversing several positional isomers. This study expands the understanding of hydride dynamics in nanoclusters and provides critical insights into the structural flexibility of the superatom framework. These findings have significant implications for hydrogen storage, catalysis, and the design of advanced hydride-containing materials.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2501583
JournalSmall
Volume21
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - May 5 2025

Funding

This work was supported by the National Science and Technology Council of Taiwan (113-2123-M-259-001) and the GENCI French National Computer Resource Center (A0030807367). Single-crystal neutron diffraction performed on TOPAZ used resources at the Spallation Neutron Source, a DOE Office of Science User Facility operated by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, under contract no. DE-AC05-00OR22725 with UT-Battelle, LLC. H.L. thanks the China Scholarship Council for a Ph.D. grant. This work was supported by the National Science and Technology Council of Taiwan (113‐2123‐M‐259‐001) and the GENCI French National Computer Resource Center (A0030807367). Single‐crystal neutron diffraction performed on TOPAZ used resources at the Spallation Neutron Source, a DOE Office of Science User Facility operated by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, under contract no. DE‐AC05‐00OR22725 with UT‐Battelle, LLC. H.L. thanks the China Scholarship Council for a Ph.D. grant.

Keywords

  • hydrides
  • isomers
  • migration
  • rhodium
  • silver

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