Photoinduced generation of electron anions in H-doped nanoporous oxide 12CaO•7Al2O3:: Toward an optically controlled formation of electrides -: art. no. 092101

We suggest, on the basis of detailed ab initio calculations of both ground and photoexcited states of H-doped 12CaO center dot 7Al(2)O(3) (C12A7:H), that stable high-conductivity regions can be optically generated in this insulating system. Each H- ion in C12A7:H can, under photoirradiation at 3.8-4.5 eV, produce up to two electrons and a proton that binds to the lattice network and forms OH-. Mobile electrons play a role of anions in this system. They move over subnanosized cages of the C12A7 lattice via polaron hopping. The insulating state is reversibly restored upon heating to 300 degrees C. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.