Dopant dependent stability of ConTM+ (TM = Ti, V, Cr, and Mn) clusters

In this paper, we present a photofragmentation study of mass-selected transition metal-doped cobalt cluster cations ConTM+ (n = 8–18, TM = Ti, V, Cr, and Mn). Time-of-flight spectra recorded after laser excitation of mass-selected clusters in the gas phase show that the evaporation of a cobalt atom is the most facile dissociation channel for clusters with TM = Ti and V, suggesting an enhanced stability of the doped clusters compared to the bare ones. In contrast, for ConTM+ with TM = Cr and Mn, the loss of the dopant atom is found to be the preferred dissociation channel. Co13Cr? is a notable exception and favors dissociation by loss of a neutral Co atom. It is implied that substituting Mn and Cr generally destabilizes the cobalt clusters with the exception of Co12Cr+, which is relatively more stable than Co13+. Additional measurements of VnCo+ (n = 9–16) show that the loss of a Co atom is still the most facile dissociation channel, which is in agreement with the predicted stronger V-V bond compared to the V-Co one.status: publishe