Superatom Chemistry
By Christopher MooreA research team based out of the physics department here at Virginia Commonwealth University (where I call home) has discovered clusters of Aluminum atoms that have chemical properties similar to single atoms of metallic and nonmetallic elements when they react with iodine. This is the first indication of what is being called “Superatom Chemistry.” Rather than combining single atoms to form complex molecules, new forms of atomic clusters (single element atoms clustered together) can now be reacted with other elements or clusters to produce never-before-seen compounds with distictive features.
The article has just been published in the journal Science. A press-release issued by VCU can be found here:
The results of the research, headed jointly by Shiv N. Khanna, professor of physics at Virginia Commonwealth University and A. Welford Castleman Jr., the Evan Pugh Professor of Chemistry and Physics and the Eberly Family Distinguished Chair in Science at Penn State University, will be reported in the 14 January 2005 issue of the journal Science.
“Depending on the number of aluminum atoms in the cluster, we have demonstrated ’superatoms’ exhibiting the properties of either halogens or alkaline earth metals,” says Castleman. “This result suggests the intriguing potential of this chemistry in nanoscale synthesis.” The discovery could have practical applications in the fields of medicine, food production and photography.
A cluster of 13 aluminum atoms behaves like a single iodine atom, while a cluster of 14 aluminum atoms behaves like an alkaline earth atom. An entire “new” periodic table can be assembled for just Al clusters.
“The discovery of these new iodine compounds, which include aluminum clusters, is critical because it reveals a new form of ’superatom’ chemistry,” said Khanna. “In the future, we may apply this chemistry, building on our previous knowledge, to create new materials for energy applications and even medical devices.”
Not a bad accomplishment for the guys down the hall.
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