REACTIVITY AND STABILITY OF BIMETALLIC CLUSTERS

Using two independent vaporization lasers, bimetallic clusters composed of transition elements and Al were generated by the laser vaporization method. Reactivity toward hydrogen adsorption of bimetallic clusters was compared with genuine clusters. It was found that Al which has no reactivity toward hydrogen plays a role of either inhibitor or accelerator of the reaction when Al is mixed with Nb or Co. Unusual stability of Co12 V1 in contrast to the high reactivity of Co12-13 is attributed to the rigid geometric structure where V occupies the central position.