Preparation, Properties, and ESCA Characterization of Vanadium Surface Compounds on Silicagel. I

Binding energies (BE) of 18 pure vanadium compounds (V 2p3/2 niveau) were measured in selected oxygen and chlorine environments, linearity of BE vs. oxidation states scrutinized and appropriate model compounds chosen as comparative standards. The general trend is an increase of BE with formal oxidation state; in particular, it could be counterbalanced by electron donating/withdrawing ligands on the V atom. A graphical (computerized) background substraction method was utilized to remove an interfering O 1s satellite peak and to enhance accuracy of BE values in surface compounds. BEs of (SiO)3VO (I), (SiO)3V (II), and (SiO)3V(O2) (III) were determined. By comparison to standards positive BE shifts of about 2.1 eV were derived indicating the strong electron withdrawing (“electron sink”) effect of the support on V in surface compounds. This is the first reported ESCA data on a surface peroxo complex, (III). Some implications of the results are also discussed.