Dr. Scott Simpson, professor of Chemistry, Honors Program director, and chair of the Chemistry Department, and collaborators have had their publication “On-Surface Photodissociation Control within Magic-Sized Nanoclusters by Halogen Bonding” accepted by the peer-reviewed journal ACS Nano.

ACS Nano is a science journal that publishes cutting-edge research about super tiny materials and technologies — such as nanoparticles and nanomachines — that can be used to improve things like electronics, medicine and clean energy.

This research dives into the incredible world of nanoscale chemistry, where scientists discovered how light can precisely control tiny molecular clusters through halogen bonding. Using advanced tools like scanning tunneling microscopy and two-photon photoelectron spectroscopy, along with quantum chemical simulations, the team showed that bromobenzene molecules form “magic-sized” nanoclusters on copper surfaces — and that the way these molecules bond can make or break them under light exposure.

By uncovering how weak, noncovalent halogen and hydrogen bonds shape these clusters and their reactions, the study opens doors to designing smarter, light-driven materials for electronics, catalysts and energy systems. In short, this work shows how mastering the smallest molecular interactions can lead to big breakthroughs in future technology.