Structures and electronic properties of Mo2nNn（n=1-5）:a density functional study

The lowest-energy structures and the electronic properties of Mo2nNn(n=1-5) clusters have been studied by using the density functional theory(DFT) simulating package DMol 3 in the generalized gradient approximation(GGA).The resulting equilibrium geometries show that the lowest-energy structures are dominated by central cores which correspond to the ground states of Mo n(n = 2,4,6,8,10) clusters and nitrogen atoms which surround these cores.The average binding energy,the adiabatic electron affinity(AEA),the vertical electron affinity(VEA),the adiabatic ionization potential(AIP) and the vertical ionization potential(VIP) of Mo2nNn(n=1-5) clusters have been estimated.The HOMO-LUMO gaps reveal that the clusters have strong chemical activities.An analysis of Mulliken charge distribution shows that charge-transfer moves from Mo atoms to N atoms and increases with cluster size.     

First-Principles Study of Geometries,Stabilities and Electronic Properties of Ca2Sin （n=1-11） Clusters

The equilibrium geometries, relative stabilities, and electronic properties of Ca2Sin （n = 1-11） clusters have been systematically investigated by using the density function theory at the 6-311G （d） level The optimized geometries indicate that the most stable isomers have three-dimensional structures for n = 3-11. The electronic properties of Ca2 Sin （n = 1-11） dusters axe obtained through the analysis of the natural charge population, natural electron configuration, vertical ionization potential, and vertical electron affinity. The results show that the charges in corresponding Ca2Sin clusters transfer from the Ca atoms to the Sin host. Based on the obtained lowest-energy geometries, the size dependence of cluster properties, such as averaged binding energies, fragmentation energies, second-order energy differences, HOMO- LUMO gaps and chemical hardness, are deeply discussed.     

A density-functional theory for (BAs)n clusters (n=1 14): structures, stabilities and electronic properties

This paper investigates the lowest-energy structures,stabilities and electronic properties of (BAs) n clusters (n=1-14) by means of the density-functional theory.The results show that the lowest-energy structures undergo a structural change from two-dimensional to three-dimensional when n=4.With the increase of the cluster size (n 6),the (BAs) n clusters tend to adopt cage-like structures,which can be considered as being built from B 2 As 2 and six-membered rings with B-As bond alternative arrangement.The binding energy per atom,second-order energy differences,vertical electron affinity and vertical ionization potential are calculated and discussed.The caculated HOMO-LUMO gaps reveal that the clusters have typical semiconductor characteristics.The analysis of partial density of states suggests that there are strong covalence and molecular characteristics in the clusters.     

Density functional study of Al-doped Au clusters

The equilibrium geometries and electronic properties of Au_nAl, up to n=13, have been systematically investigated using the density functional theory. The results show that, for the Au_nAl clusters, two patterns are identified. Pattern one (n=2, 3, 8), the lowest-energy geometries prefer two-dimensional structures. Pattern two (n=4-7, 9--13), the lowest-energy geometries prefer three-dimensional structures. According to the analysis of the binding energy and the fragmentation energy, Au_nAl clusters with odd n are found to be more stable than those with even n. The same trend of alternation can be illuminated according to the computational results in the HOMO--LUMO gap, the ionization potential, and the electron affinities. The Al atom not only changes the structures of pure gold clusters, but also enhances their stabilities. NBO analysis indicates 6s orbital of Au atom hybridizes with 3p orbital of Al atom.     

An ab initio study of niobium (n = 2--11) clusters: structure, stability and magnetism

The ground-state configurations of the Nbn (n = 2-11) clusters are studied through the first-principles calculations. It is found that niobium clusters (n = 2-11) tend to form compact structures with low symmetry. The clusters with 4, 8 and 10 atoms are found to be magic and have relatively large highest occupied-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) gaps. The Nbn clusters possess low magnetic moments, which exhibit an odd-even oscillational character. The analyses of calculated electronic density and population of the lowest-energy niobium clusters for n = 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 show that the total magnetic moments of Nbn originate mainly from a few Nb atoms with longer spacings between them in most cases, while they are located on two Nb atoms for n = 2, 3, 5. The total magnetic moments come mainly from the 4d local moments but with the exception of the Nb5 cluster.     

A density functional theory structures,stabilities, and study on size-dependent electronic properties of bimetallic MnAgm （M=Na,Li; n ＋ m ≤ 7） clusters

The equilibrium geometries, relative stabilities, and electronic properties of MnAgm（M=Na, Li; n ＋ m ≤ 7） as well as pure Agn, Nan, Lin （n ≤ 7） clusters are systematically investigated by means of the density functional theory. The optimized geometries reveal that for 2 ≤ n ≤ 7, there are significant similarities in geometry among pure Agn, Nan, and Lin clusters, and the transitions from planar to three-dimensional configurations occur at n = 7, 7, and 6, respectively. In contrast, the first three-dimensional （3D） structures are observed at n ＋ m = 5 for both NanAgm and LinAgm clusters. When n ＋ m ≥5, a striking feature is that the trigonal bipyramid becomes the main subunit of LinAgm. Furthermore, dramatic odd-even alternative behaviours are obtained in the fragmentation energies, secondorder difference energies, highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy gaps, and chemical hardness for both pure and doped clusters. The analytic results exhibit that clusters with an even electronic configuration （2, 4, 6） possess the weakest chemical reactivity and more enhanced stability.     

First-principles study on the structure,electronic and magnetic properties of HoSin （n=1-12, 20） clusters

The structure, electronic and magnetic properties of HoSin（n= 1 - 12, 20） clusters have been widely investigated by first-principles calculation method based on density flmctional theory （DFT）. From our calculation results, we find that for HoSin（n=1- 12） clusters except n = 7.10, the most stable structures are a replacement of Si atom in the corresponding pure Sin＋1 clusters by Ho atom. The doping of Ho atom makes the stability of Si clusters enhance remarkably, and HoSin（n = 2, 5, 8, 11） clusters are more stable than their neighboring clusters. The magnetic moment of Ho atom in HoSin （n = 1 - 12, 20） clusters mainly comes from of electron of tto, and never quenches.     

A density functional theory study on size-dependent structures,stabilities,and electronic properties of bimetallic M_nAg_m(M=Na,Li;n + m≤7) clusters

The equilibrium geometries,relative stabilities,and electronic properties of Mn Agm(M=Na,Li;n + m ≤ 7) as well as pure Ag n,Na n,Li n(n ≤ 7) clusters are systematically investigated by means of the density functional theory.The optimized geometries reveal that for 2 ≤ n ≤ 7,there are significant similarities in geometry among pure Ag n,Na n,and Li n clusters,and the transitions from planar to three-dimensional configurations occur at n = 7,7,and 6,respectively.In contrast,the first three-dimensional(3D) structures are observed at n + m = 5 for both Na n Ag m and Li n Ag m clusters.When n + m ≥ 5,a striking feature is that the trigonal bipyramid becomes the main subunit of Li n Ag m.Furthermore,dramatic odd-even alternative behaviours are obtained in the fragmentation energies,secondorder difference energies,highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy gaps,and chemical hardness for both pure and doped clusters.The analytic results exhibit that clusters with an even electronic configuration(2,4,6) possess the weakest chemical reactivity and more enhanced stability.     

Structure and magnetic properties of Osn （n=11～22） clusters

The structure and magnetic properties of Osn （n=11～22） clusters are systematically studied by using density functional theory （DFT）. For each size, the average binding energy per atom, the second-order differences of total energies and the highest occupied molecular orbital （HOMO）–the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital （LUMO） gaps are calculated to analyze the stability of the cluster. The structures of Os14 and Os18 clusters are based on a close-packed hexagonal structure, and they have maximum stabilities, so n=14, 18 are the magic numbers. The 5d electrons play a dominant role in the chemical reaction of Osn clusters. The magnetic moments of Osn clusters are quenched around n=12, and when n=18～22 the value approximates to zero, due to the difference of electron transfer.     

Structures of Adatom Clusters on Ag（111） Surface by Genetic Algorithm

We study the structures of Ag adatom clusters supported on the metal Ag(111) surface using the genetic algorithm (GA). The atomic interactions are modelled by the surface-embedded-atom method. The lowest-energy structures of adatom clusters with sizes n=3-20 are obtained, in which n=7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 19 are the magic numbers. Furthermore, we give a series of structures with energies close to the lowest energy (the lower-energy isomers), and the structure features are studied in detail. Except for some magic clusters and small clusters, every configuration of adatom clusters generally has two distinct adsorption ways, so the isomers always appear in pairs.     

Equilibrium geometries and electronic properties of BenLi （n=2-15） clusters from first principles

This paper studies the equilibrium geometries and electronic properties of Ben and BenLi clusters, up to n=15, by using density-functional theory（DFT） at B3LYP/6-31G（d） level. The lowest-energy structures of Ben and BenLi clusters were determined. The results indicate that a single lithium impurity enhances the stability and chemical reactivity of the beryllium clusters. It finds that the geometries of the host clusters change significantly after the addition of the lithium atom for n ≥8. The lithium impurity prefers to be on the periphery of beryllium clusters, and occupies vertex sites. Both Be4Li, Be9Li, and Be13Li were found to be particularly stable with higher average binding energy, local peaks of second-order energy difference and fragmentation energies. For all the BenLi clusters studied, we found charge transfers from the Li to Be site and co-existence of covalent and metallic bonding characteristics.     

Stability of small Ni-Ti bimetallic clusters studied by density functional theory

The low-energy structures and the electronic and the magnetic properties of small NiNiNi$_{m}$Ti$_{n}$ clusters, lowest-energy structure, electronic and magnetic propertiesProject supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.~10874039), and the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province of China (Grant Nos.~A2009000246 and 2009000243).3120A, 3640B, 2110K7/3/2009 12:00:00 AMThe low-energy structures and the electronic and the magnetic properties of small NiNiNi$_{m}$Ti$_{n}$ clusters, lowest-energy structure, electronic and magnetic propertiesProject supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.~10874039), and the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province of China (Grant Nos.~A2009000246 and 2009000243).3120A, 3640B, 2110K7/3/2009 12:00:00 AMThe low-energy structures and the electronic and the magnetic properties of small Ni$_{n}$Ti$_{n}$ ($n=1$--$6$) and Ni$_{m}$Ti$_{n}$ ($1 \le n \le 4$, $1 \le m \le 4$, $n \ne m$) clusters are investigated by performing all-electron calculations based on density functional theory. Ground states and several isomers near the ground states are determined for these clusters. The results indicate that the growth of small Ni$_{m}$Ti$_{n}$ clusters prefers to form rich Ti--Ni and Ti--Ti bonds. When the percentage of titanium atoms is significantly greater than that of nickel atoms, the nickel atoms are most frequently found above the surface; in contrast, the titanium atoms prefer the bridging sites. A M\"{u}lliken spin population analysis indicates that the total spin of titanium-nickel clusters is not always zero.http://cpb.iphy.ac.cn/CN/10.1088/1674-1056/19/4/043102https://cpb.iphy.ac.cn/CN/article/downloadArticleFile.do?attachType=PDF&id=111644NimTin;clusters;lowest-energy;structure;electronic;and;magnetic;propertiesThe low-energy structures and the electronic and the magnetic properties of small Nin Tin(n = 1-6) and Ni m Ti n(1 ≤ n ≤ 4,1 ≤ m ≤ 4,n ≠ m) clusters are investigated by performing all-electron calculations based on density functional theory.Ground states and several isomers near the ground states are determined for these clusters.The results indicate that the growth of small Ni m Ti n clusters prefers to form rich Ti-Ni and Ti-Ti bonds.When the percentage of titanium atoms is significantly greater than that of nickel atoms,the nickel atoms are most frequently found above the surface;in contrast,the titanium atoms prefer the bridging sites.A Mu¨lliken spin population analysis indicates that the total spin of titanium-nickel clusters is not always zero.     

Density functional study on structural and electronic properties of bimetallic gold--yttrium clusters: comparison with pure gold and yttrium clusters

Employing first-principles methods, based on the density functional theory, this paper investigates the ground state geometric and electronic properties of pure gold clusters, pure yttrium clusters and gold clusters doped each with one yttrium atom. It is shown that the average bond lengths in the Augold--yttrium bimetallic cluster, density functional theory, HOMO--LUMO gap, equilibrium structureProject supported by the Education Committee of Chongqing (Grant No KJ051105) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No 10276028).3640, 3640B, 3120A, 3130J9/1/2007 12:00:00 AMEmploying first-principles methods, based on the density functional theory, this paper investigates the ground state geometric and electronic properties of pure gold clusters, pure yttrium clusters and gold clusters doped each with one yttrium atom. It is shown that the average bond lengths in the Augold--yttrium bimetallic cluster, density functional theory, HOMO--LUMO gap, equilibrium structureProject supported by the Education Committee of Chongqing (Grant No KJ051105) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No 10276028).3640, 3640B, 3120A, 3130J9/1/2007 12:00:00 AMEmploying first-principles methods, based on the density functional theory, this paper investigates the ground state geometric and electronic properties of pure gold clusters, pure yttrium clusters and gold clusters doped each with one yttrium atom. It is shown that the average bond lengths in the Au$_{n - 1}$Y($n \le $9) bimetallic clusters are shorter than those in the corresponding pure gold and yttrium clusters. The most stable isomers of the yttrium-doped gold clusters tend to equally delocalize valence s, p and d electrons of the constituent atoms over the entire structure. The Y atom has maximum number of neighbouring Au atom, which tends to be energetically favourable in the lowest-energy equilibrium structures, because the Au--Y bond is stronger than the Au-Au bond. The three-dimensional isomers of Au$_{n - 1}$Y structures are found in an early appearance starting at $n$=5 (Au$_{4}$Y). Calculated vertical ionization potential and electron affinities as a function of the cluster size show odd-even oscillatory behaviour, and resemble pure gold clusters. However, one of the most striking feature of pure yttrium clusters is the absence of odd-even alternation, in agreement with mass spectrometric observations. The HOMO--LUMO gap of Au$_{3}$Y is the biggest in all the doped Au$_{n - 1}$Y($n \le $9) bimetallic clusters.     

Coalescence of heteroclusters Au767 and Ag767: a molecular-dynamics study

This paper studies the coalescence of heteroclusters Au767 and Ag767 by using molecular dynamics with the embedded atom method, where layer atomic energy is employed to describe the potential energy variation of per atom in different layers along radial direction. The results show that the coalescence is driven by releasing the atomic energy of the coalesced zone. The deformation, which is induced by substitutional and vacancy diffusion during the coalescence, makes the coalesced cluster disorder. If the summation of the thermal energy and the released atomic energy is large enough to keep the disorder state, the clusters form a metastable liquid droplet; otherwise, the clusters coalesce into a solid cluster when the coalesced cluster reaches the equilibrium state, and the coalesced cluster experiences liquid to solid ordering changes during the coalescence of a solid Au767 with a liquid Ag767 and a liquid Au767 with a liquid Ag767. The centre of figure of the cluster system is shifted during the coalescence process, and higher coalescence temperature causes larger shift degree.     

First-principles calculations for elastic properties of rutile TiO2 under pressure

This paper studies the equilibrium structure parameters and the dependences of the elastic properties on pressure for rutile TiO2 by using the Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package （CASTEP） program in the frame of density functional theory. The obtained equilibrium structure parameters, bulk modulus B0 and its pressure derivative B′0 are in good agreement with experiments and the theoretical results. The six independent elastic constants of rutile TiO2 under pressure are theoretically investigated for the first time. It is found that, as pressure increases, the elastic constants C11, C33, C66, C12 and C13 increase, The variation of elastic constant C44 is not obvious and the anisotropy will weaken.     

A density functional theoretical investigation of RhSin（n = 1-6） clusters

This paper computationally investigates the RhSin （n = 1 6） clusters by using a density functional approach. Geometry optimizations of the RhSin （n = 1 6） clusters are carried out at the B3LYP level employing LanL2DZ basis sets. It presents and discusses the equilibrium geometries of the RhSin （n = 1-6） clusters as well as the corresponding averaged binding energies, fragmentation energies, natural populations, magnetic properties, and the energy gaps between the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. Theoretical results show that the most stable RhSin（n = 1-6） isomers keep an analogous framework of the corresponding Sin＋1 clusters, the RhSi3 is the most stable cluster in RhSin （n = 1-6） isomers. Furthermore, the charges of the lowest-energy RhSin （n = 1-6） clusters transfer mainly from Si atom to Rh atom. Meanwhile, the magnetic moments of the RhSin（n = 1-6） arises from the 4d orbits of Rh atom. Finally, compared with the Sin＋1 cluster, the chemical stability RhSin clusters are universally improved.     

Structures and electronic properties of SimN8-m（0 〈 m 〈 8） clusters： a density functional theory study

The geometries, electronic structures and related properties of SimN8-m（0 〈 m 〈 8） clusters are studied using density functional theory （DFT） with hybrid functional B3LYP. The calculated results reveal several trends. For any stoichiometric clusters, the lowest energy isomers with an alteration of N and Si atoms are favourable in energy if the numbers of Si and N atoms are large enough to form ... Si N-Si-N... alternative chains. The bond lengths of single Si-N bonds are very close to the corresponding values of the bulk and other SiN clusters. The geometries for N-rich and Si4N4 clusters are planar structures, but three-dimensional structures are favourable in energy for Si-rich clusters. With the increase of m, the isotropic polarizability and average polarizability increase, the total binding energies generally decrease, the HOMO-LUMO gap and vertical ionization potential oscillate with increasing number of valence electrons, and their values with even valence electrons are larger than those with odd valence electrons. The atomic charges, IR and Raman properties are also reported.     

Density functional study on chirospectra of hydrogen-bonded systems X-（H2O）3（X=F,Cl,Br,I）

This paper calculates the molecular structures,infrared,Raman,circular dichroism spectra and optical rotatory powers of some hydrogen-bonded supramolecular systems as a cyclic water trimer,(H2O)3 and its pyramidal halide complexes,X-(H2O)3(X = F,Cl,Br,I) with the gradient-corrected density functional theory method at the B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) and B3LYP/Aug-cc-pVTZ levels.It finds that the complexation of halide anions with the water trimer can efficiently modulate the chirally optical behaviors.The calculated vibrational circular dichroism spectrum illuminates that the vibrational rotational strength of S(+)-(H2O)3 mostly originates from the O-H rocking modes,whereas chirality of S(-)-X-(H2O)3(X = F,Cl,Br,I) has its important origin in the O-H stretching modes.The calculated optical rotatory power demonstrates that S(+)-(H2O)3 and S(+)-F(H2O)3 are positively chiral,whereas S(-)-X-(H2O)3(X = Cl,Br,I) are negatively chiral.With the polarizable continuum model,calculated bulk solvent effect in the solvents water and carbontetrachloride and argon shows that the positive chirality of S(+)-(H2O)3 is enhanced and the negative chirality of S(-)-X-(H2O)3(X = Cl,Br,I) and the positive chirality of S(+)-F(H2O)3 are reduced with an augmentation of the solvent dielectric constant.     

Light scattering of nanocrystalline TiO2 film used in dye-sensitized solar cells

This paper studies the light scattering and adsorption of nanocrystalline TiO2 porous films used in dye-sensitized solar cells composed of anatase and/or rutile particles by using an optical four-flux radiative transfer model. These light properties are difficult to measure directly on the functioning solar cells and they can not be calculated easily from the first-principle computational or quantitative theoretical evaluations. These simulation results indicate that the light scattering of 1 25 nm TiO2 particles is negligible, but it is effective in the range of 80 and 180 nm. A suitable mixture of small particles （10 nm radius）, which are resulted in a large effective surface, and of larger particles （150 nm radius）, which are effective light scatterers, have the potential to enhance solar absorption significantly. The futile crystals have a larger refractive index and thus the light harvest of the mixtures of such larger rutile and relatively small anatase particles is improved in comparison with that of pure anatase films. The light absorption of the 10μm double-layered films is also examined. A maximal light absorption of double-layered film is gotten when the thickness of the first layer of 10 urn-sized anatase particles is comparable to that of the second larger rutile layer.     

Effect of the stoichiometry on the electronic structure of the Ni（111）/α-Al2O3（0001） interface： a first-principles investigation

In this paper first-principles calculations of Ni（111）/α-Al2O3（0001） interfaces have been performed, and are compared with the preceding results of the Cu （111）/α-Al2O3（0001） interface [2004 Phil. Mag. Left. 84 425]. The AI- terminated and O-terminated interfaces have quite different adhesion mechanisms, which are similar to the Cu（111）/α Al2O3（0001） interface. For the O-terminated interface, the adhesion is caused by the strong O-2p/Ni-3d orbital hybridization and ionic interactions. On the other hand, the adhesion nature of the Al-terminated interface is the image-like electrostatic and Ni-Al hybridization interactions, the latter is substantial and cannot be neglected. Charge transfer occurs from Al2O3 to Ni, which is opposite to that in the O=terminated interface. The charge transfer direction for the Al-terminated and O-terminated Ni（111）/α-A1203（0001） interfaces is similar to that in the corresponding Cu（111）/α- Al2O3（0001） interface, but there exist the larger charge transfer quantity and consequent stronger adhesion nature, respectively.