Structural study by solid-state (71)Ga NMR of thin film transistor precursors.

Solid-state (71)Ga NMR was used to investigate the structures of several heterometallic Group 13 hydroxo-aquo clusters, [Ga13-xInx (μ3-OH)6(μ2-OH)18(H2O)24](NO3)15 which are envisioned for thin film transistors. The characterization of these clusters in the solid state provides additional information in understanding the synthesis, structure and speciation of these precursors for high-quality, ultrasmooth thin films. Yet important structural information regarding these clusters - including the exact composition, isomeric structure, and coordination environments - were unknown prior to this precise NMR spectroscopy study.

An overview of selected current approaches to the characterization of aqueous inorganic clusters.

This Perspective article highlights some of the traditional and non-traditional analytical tools that are presently used to characterize aqueous inorganic nanoscale clusters and polyoxometalate ions. The techniques discussed in this article include nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), dynamic and phase analysis light scattering (DLS and PALS), Raman spectroscopy, and quantum mechanical computations (QMC). For each method we briefly describe how it functions and illustrate how these techniques are used to study cluster species in the solid state and in solution through several representative case studies.

Synthesis and solid-state structural characterization of a series of aqueous heterometallic tridecameric group 13 clusters.

The synthesis and solid-state characterization of a complete series of new heterometallic aqueous nanoscale Ga/In tridecameric clusters is presented. These hydroxo-aquo species significantly expand the library of discrete, aqueous group 13 clusters. This report details the synthetic and structural characterization of these compounds, which are of interest as precursors (inks) for thin-film oxides with materials applications.

Transmetalation of aqueous inorganic clusters: a useful route to the synthesis of heterometallic aluminum and indium hydroxo-aquo clusters.

[AlxIny(μ3-OH)6(μ-OH)18(H2O)24](NO3)15 hydroxy-aquo clusters (AlxIn13-x) are synthesized through the evaporation of stoichiometrically varied solutions of Al13 and In(NO3)3 using a transmetalation reaction. Several spectroscopic techniques ((1)H NMR, (1)H-diffusion ordered spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and Raman) are used to compare AlxIn13-x to its Al13 counterpart. A thin film of aluminum indium oxide was prepared from an Al7In6 cluster ink, showing its utility as a precursor for materials.