Photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional study of ConOH− (n = 1–3)

We investigated ConOH− (n = 1–3) clusters with photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The vertical detachment energies of ConOH− (n = 1–3) were measured to be 1.41 ± 0.04, 1.22 ± 0.08, 1.62 ± 0.08 eV, respectively. The electron affinity and term energy of CoOH neutral were determined to be 1.33 ± 0.04 and 0.25 ± 0.04 eV, respectively. The most probable geometries of CoOH− and Co2OH− were determined to be L-shaped structures, and that of Co3OH− can be considered as one of the Co atoms of Co3 triangle bonded to the oxygen atom of OH group. The excess electron of the ConOH− anion is mainly localized on the Con site.