A Vacuum Ultraviolet Photoionization Mass Spectrometry and Density Functional Calculation Study of Formic Acid–Water Clusters

Abstract

The interaction between formic acid (FA) and water (W) holds significant importance in various chemical processes. Our study combines vacuumultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry with density functional calculations to investigate formic acid water clusters generated in supersonic molecular beams. The mass spectra obtained reveal the formation of protonated clusters as the major product. Enhanced intensities are observed in the mass spectra for a number of clusters holding the following composition, FA