Structural and Electronic Properties of Co_nC₃^-/0 and Co_nC₄^-/0 (n=1-4) Clusters: Mass-Selected Anion Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory Calculations

We investigated the structural evolution and electronic properties of Co_nC₃^-/0 and Co_nC₄^-/0 (n=1-4) clusters by using mass-selected photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The adiabatic and vertical detachment energies of Co_1-4C₃^- and Co_1-4C₄^- were obtained from their photoelectron spectra. By comparing the theoretical results with the experimental data, the global minimum structures were determined. The results indicate that the carbon atoms of Co_nC₃^-/0 and Co_nC₄^-/0 (n=1-4) are separated from each other gradually with increasing number of cobalt atoms but a C₂ unit still remains at n=4. It is interesting that the Co₂C₃^- and Co₂C₄^- anions have planar structures whereas the neutral Co₂C₃ and Co₂C₄ have linear structures with the Co atoms at two ends. The Co₃C₃^- anion has a planar structure with a Co₂C₂ four-membered ring and a Co₃C four-membered ring sharing a Co-Co bond, while the neutral Co₃C₃ is a three-dimensional structure with a C₂ unit and a C atom connecting to two faces of the Co₃ triangle.