Tuning niobium oxide speciation in Ar and Ne matrices: an FTIR study of laser-ablated Nb and Nb2O5.

Reactions between laser-ablated Nb and Nb2O5 targets and O2 in Ar and Ne were studied using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. NbO and NbO2 formation was preferred in reactions between ablated Nb and O atoms from the Nb2O5 compared to reactions between Nb and O2. Increasing the O2 in the gas mixture resulted in an increase in signal for primarily the (O2)NbO2 complex. Ions such as NbO+, NbO2 +, NbO2 - and NbO3 - were produced in reactions with laser-ablated Nb and O2, but were absent when the Nb2O5 target was ablated. Matrix annealing facilitated diffusion and reactions in the matrix between NbO2 and bare O2 to form complexes. Vibrational spectra recorded in Ar and Ne matrices were in agreement with previous experiments and new vibrational modes for NbO2 -, (O2)NbO2 and Nb2O5 are presented.