I. Bioanalytical Applications of Polymer Microfluidic Devices. II. Examination of Soft Vibrational Modes for Alkanes Adsorbed on Copper

Part II. The study of saturated hydrocarbons on metal surfaces continue to be of interest in order to understand molecule-surface interactions related to C-H bond activation. Interest has also been enhanced by the presence of a unique spectral feature, a broad vibrational mode that is shifted to lower frequency from the normal C-H stretching region. This work explores the appearance and location of this soft mode in non-reactive systems by examining the vibrational spectra of cyclic and linear alkanes on Cu(111). Careful comparisons to theoretical calculations and use of isotope labeled molecules allow us to categorize the soft mode feature as one that originates from the methylene symmetric C-H stretch. The appearance of the soft mode is dependent on the molecule to surface distance and the strength of charge-transfer from the metal to the adsorbate. These studies provide a clearer interpretation regarding spectroscopic features and their significance as it relates to hydrocarbon-metal interactions.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Fosser, Kari Andrea

Contributors dc:contributor

• Nuzzo, Ralph G.

• Chemistry, Analytical

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3130917

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/84135