Work

Activation of Specific Reagents in Molecular Films by Sub-Ionization Electrons: Chlorobenzene/Water Films

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Control over chemical reactivity remains a fundamental challenge in synthesis chemistry, where targeting a specific reactant represents the ultimate goal. While photoactivation is a well-established approach for selective excitation, electron-induced chemistry offers a complementary pathway with high efficacy. In this study, we investigate the effects of low-energy electron irradiation on prototypical chlorobenzene/water molecular films, demonstrating that chlorobenzene can be selectively dissociated via a resonant process occurring at ~1 eV. At higher electron energies (>6 eV), multiple reaction pathways become accessible, including the fragmentation of both water and chlorobenzene molecules. Our study provides a perspective strategy for achieving reagent-specific control in complex molecular assemblies via low-energy electrons, offering new insights into electron-driven surface chemistry and reaction dynamics at the molecular level.

Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/ijms26178751

Authors: Hassan Abdoul-Carime, Janina Kopyra

Institutions: Lyon 1 Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules, Institut de Physique des 2 Infinis de Lyon, University of Siedlce

Language: English

Topic: Atomic and Molecular Physics

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,499

Funder: Ministerstwo Edukacji i Nauki