Superatoms, such as superhalogens and superalkalis, are a special class of atomic clusters, which potentially mimic the behavior of elemental atoms. Superhalogens are the species having higher electron affinity than halogen; which are known to possess the highest electron affinity among all the elements in the periodic table. Superalkalis are the counterparts of superhalogens, which possess lower ionization energy than alkali atoms; the elements with the lowest ionization energy across the periodic table. These superatoms were introduced in the 1980s by Gutsev and Boldyrev.
Superatoms not only possess interesting structures but also some unique properties, which can be exploited for various applications. Due to high electron affinity, for instance, superhalogens possess strong oxidizing capacity. Likewise, the low ionization energy of superalkalis enables them to act as strong reducing agents. The last two decades witnessed several applications of these superatoms such as the design of non-linear optical (NLO) materials, hydrogen storage materials, superacids, superbases, alkalides, and so forth. This promoted the continuous exploration of such superatoms, as well as their applications. The aim of this Research Topic is to collect all of the recent advances in the field of superatoms and serve as a resource for the future generation of research on the subject.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Theoretical and expertimental studies on the structure and properties of superatoms and related materials
• Studies exploring new superhalogens and superalkalis and their possible applications
• Novel experimental techniques and theoretical methods for the study of superatoms and their properties.
Single-molecule studies can also be considered, if suitable.
Superatoms, such as superhalogens and superalkalis, are a special class of atomic clusters, which potentially mimic the behavior of elemental atoms. Superhalogens are the species having higher electron affinity than halogen; which are known to possess the highest electron affinity among all the elements in the periodic table. Superalkalis are the counterparts of superhalogens, which possess lower ionization energy than alkali atoms; the elements with the lowest ionization energy across the periodic table. These superatoms were introduced in the 1980s by Gutsev and Boldyrev.
Superatoms not only possess interesting structures but also some unique properties, which can be exploited for various applications. Due to high electron affinity, for instance, superhalogens possess strong oxidizing capacity. Likewise, the low ionization energy of superalkalis enables them to act as strong reducing agents. The last two decades witnessed several applications of these superatoms such as the design of non-linear optical (NLO) materials, hydrogen storage materials, superacids, superbases, alkalides, and so forth. This promoted the continuous exploration of such superatoms, as well as their applications. The aim of this Research Topic is to collect all of the recent advances in the field of superatoms and serve as a resource for the future generation of research on the subject.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Theoretical and expertimental studies on the structure and properties of superatoms and related materials
• Studies exploring new superhalogens and superalkalis and their possible applications
• Novel experimental techniques and theoretical methods for the study of superatoms and their properties.
Single-molecule studies can also be considered, if suitable.