Investigation of photochromic cluster systems based on molybdenum oxides by ESR spectroscopy

Abstract

The electron-spin resonance (ESR) spectra of cluster polyoxometalate systems—a finely dispersed powder of the (NH4)6[Mo7O24]-citrie acid complex, molybdic acid, and molybdenum(VI) oxide—are investigated. The initial samples are colored under exposure to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation (photochromic effect) and thermal annealing. The ESR signal (g ⊥ = 1.94, g ‖ = 1.92) which is observed for the (NH4)6[Mo7O24]-citric acid photocolored samples corresponds to an electron of the molybdenum atom. This is in agreement with the data derived from the electronic spectrum. In addition, the (NH4)6[Mo7O24]-citric acid colored system exhibits an ESR signal (g=2.02) which corresponds to a hole at the organic ligand. This confirms the previously advanced model of intramolecular electron transfer under UV irradiation. The thermally colored molybdic acid has a similar ESR spectrum (g=1.88, 1.92, 1.93, and 1.98). For the other samples, the ESR signal is not observed. It is demonstrated that an unpaired electron of molybdenum atoms is substantially delocalized over all metal atoms in the cluster.