Electron spin resonance studies of methyl radicals stabilized on porous VYCOR glass: various surface interactions, second-order splitting, and a linewidth temperature study

Abstract

Electron spin resonance studies have been performed on methyl radicals stabilized on the surface of porous VYCOR glass. As previously reported, two very different methyl radicals, denoted Me and Me′, were seen. Results indicate that the radical Me′ is most probably weakly bound to the boroxane group (=B—O—B=) which is prominent on the surface of high temperature (700–900 °C) pretreated porous VYCOR glass. Four satellite lines about each Me line, denoted previously as radical X, were observed when the surface was pretreated at lower temperatures (400–500 °C). In an earlier publication radical X was attributed to the interaction between methyl radicals and the isotopic surface species 11B. In this study two additional satellite lines about each Me line are reported as well as a reassignment of the origin of all satellite lines. Four of the six satellite lines have been assigned to forbidden "spin–flip" transitions while the other two have been assigned to direct interaction between methyl radicals and the surface hydroxyl protons. Support for the irreversibility of high temperature dehydroxylation of porous VYCOR glass is also presented.A partial resolution of the second-order splitting of each of the central pair of lines was achieved for the normal methyl radical. The value of the second-order splitting was between 220 and 230 mG. The linewidths of the two central lines were measured at 77 °K. The samples were then allowed to warm up to various temperatures and then recooled to 77 °K. The linewidths were smaller after completing this cycle. Storage of the sample at 77 °K allowed the linewidths to return to their original values. These linewidths effects are explained by postulating the existence of two different types of potential wells on the surface.