Smallest fullerene-like clusters in two-probe device junctions: first principle study

First principle calculations based on density functional theory are realised to investigate the electron transport of the smallest fullerene-like clusters as two-probe junction devices. The junction devices are constructed by mechanically controlled break junction techniques to ensure the maximum stability of the Be₂₀, B₂₀ and N₂₀ cluster molecular junctions. We investigate the density of states, transmission spectrum, molecular orbitals, current and differential conductance characteristics at discrete bias voltages to gain insight about the various transport phenomena occurring in these nano-junctions. The results show that B₂₀ molecule when stringed to gold electrodes works as an ideal nano-device similar to the pure C₂₀ device and is more symmetric in its characteristic nature. However, in N₂₀ molecular device, the conduction is negligible due to the higher atomic interactions within N₂₀ molecule, despite the fact that it is constructed with penta-valent atoms.     

富勒烯C20分子器件的电子结构和传导特性

运用基于密度泛函理论和基于非平衡格林函数的第一性原理方法研究了富勒烯C₂₀分子及连接电极构成的C₂₀分子器件的电子结构及电子输运性质.构建了三个基于C₂₀分子的嵌入K和Si原子的电子输运系统,并得到了电子透射谱和分子轨道分布.分析了三种器件的电子结构和输运性质的产生原因,说明C₂₀分子器件的电子传导主要集中在外壳.在C₂₀分子空笼中嵌入K和Si原子后,其电子输运仍然主要集中于富勒烯C₂₀的外壳. 关键词： 20分子')" href="#">富勒烯C₂₀分子 电子结构 电子传导     

外掺非典型富勒烯C64Si的几何结构和电子性质计算研究

采用密度泛函理论（density functional theory, DFT）中的广义梯度近似（generalized gradient approximation, GGA）对非典型富勒烯C₆₄Si的几何结构和电子性质进行计算研究,发现在C₆₄Si可能稳定存在的四种同分异构体中,Si原子吸附在三个直接相邻五边形的公共原子处形成的外掺杂结构是热力学最稳定的结构,即文中定义的C₆₄Si-1,这和Ge等人对 Si原子在C_{28关键词： 64}Si')" href="#">C₆₄Si 64')" href="#">C₆₄ 外掺富勒烯 密度泛函理论     

Orientation effect on the electronic transport properties of C24 fullerene molecule

The transport properties of the cage-like molecule depend on its orientation between the electrodes, but the investigation on the mechanism has not been found. Using first-principle density-functional theory (DFT) and non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) formalism for quantum transport calculation, we study the electronic transport properties of C₂₄ fullerene molecule with different orientations in Au–C₂₄–Au two-probe system. The effects of k-point sampling on the Brillouin zone are explored. Our results show that the negative differential resistance of C₂₄ molecule is found in such a system and can be tuned by the molecule's orientation in the two-probe system. We also proposed a mechanism for it. The I–V characteristic under bias voltage is determined. The present findings could be helpful for the application of the C₂₄ molecule in the field of single molecular devices or nanometer electronics.     

First-principles study of the electronic transport properties of a C131 -based molecular junction

Using first-principles density functional theory and the non-equilibrium Green’s function formalism, we have studied the electronic transport properties of the dumbbell-like fullerene dimer C₁₃₁-based molecular junction. Our results show that the current-voltage curve displays an obvious negative differential resistance phenomenon in a certain bias voltage range. The negative differential resistance behavior can be understood in terms of the evolution of the transmission spectrum and the projected density of states with applied bias voltage. The present findings could be helpful for the application of the C₁₃₁ molecule in the field of single molecular devices or nanometer electronics.     

First-principles study of transport properties of endohedral Li@C20 metallofullerene

The transport properties of the endohedral Li@C₂₀ metallofullerene are studied using density functional non-equilibrium Green’s function method. The equilibrium conductance of Li@C₂₀ metallofullerene becomes larger than that of the empty C₂₀ fullerene molecule. The I–V curve under low-bias voltage shows the characteristic of metallic behavior; another, the novel negative differential resistance behavior is also observed. It is found that the doping effect of Li atom significantly changes the transport properties of C₂₀ fullerene.     

Au电极连接富勒烯C32分子的电子结构与传输特性

采用基于密度泛函理论(DFT)和非平衡格林函数(NEGF)的第一性原理方法对富勒烯C₃₂分子及在C₃₂分子的距离最远的两个碳原子处连接Au(1,1,1)电极的分子器件进行了电子结构和电子输运性质的研究.考虑到中间分子与Au电极间距离变化的情况,通过计算得出了在不同距离下分子器件的电子传输谱和I-V特性,分析了各器件的电子结构和电子输运特性产生的原因,并分析了电极与中间分子的连接距离及门电压对分子器件电子输运的影响.得出了电极与所连接的中间分子之     

The compressive mechanical properties of Cn (n=20, 60, 80, 180) and endohedral M@C60 (M=Na,Al, Fe) fullerene molecules

The compressive mechanical properties of C_n (n = 20, 60, 80, 180) and endohedral M@C₆₀ (M = Na, Al, Fe) fullerene molecules are investigated using a quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) technique. Energy–strain curves, force–strain curves, endurance load, failure strain corresponding to the endurance load, and compressive stiffness of the fullerene molecules are obtained. The compressive mechanical properties of C₂₀, C₆₀, C₈₀, C₁₈₀ and M@C₆₀ (M = Na, Al, Fe) are discussed. The results show that the larger the magic number n of an empty fullerene, the higher its endurance load and compressive stiffness, but the lower its failure strain, and comparing to the empty C₆₀ fullerene, all the M@C60 molecules have greater endurance capability and failure strain.     

Negative differential resistance in the unsymmetrical C121-based molecular junction

Using first-principles density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green?s function formalism for quantum transport calculation, we have investigated the electronic transport properties of the unsymmetrical C₁₂₁-based molecular junction. Our results show that the current-voltage curve displays a negative differential resistance phenomenon in a certain bias voltage range. The mechanism for the negative differential resistance phenomenon is suggested. The present findings could be helpful for the application of the C₁₂₁ molecule in the field of single molecular devices or nanometer electronics.     

Electronic interactions in two-dimensional polymers of the C60 fullerene

The electronic structure of tetragonal and rhombohedral polymers of the C₆₀ fullerene is investigated using x-ray emission spectroscopy. It is found that, compared to the C₆₀ molecular crystals, the formation of intermolecular covalent bonds in two-dimensional layers of the C₆₀ fullerene polymers leads to a broadening of the maxima in the CK _α x-ray emission spectra, a decrease in the density of high-energy states, and an increase in the width of the valence band of the polymer. The experimental data are interpreted by analyzing the results of the calculations performed within the density functional theory for the C₆₀ fullerene cage forming eight and twelve covalent bonds. It is shown that the electronic interactions between C₆₀ molecules in the polymerized layers are provided by two types of molecular orbitals located at energies 0.5–3.0 and ∼5.0 eV below the energy of the Fermi level.     

Rectifying properties of a boron/nitrogen-doped C131-based molecular junction: A first-principles study

Using first-principles density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green′s function formalism for quantum transport calculation, we have investigated the electronic transport properties of the boron/nitrogen-doped C₁₃₁-based molecular junction. Our results show that an obvious rectifying behavior is observed. Moreover, the rectifying performance can be tuned by adjusting the doping sites. The mechanism for the rectifying phenomenon is suggested. The present findings could be helpful for the application of the C₁₃₁ molecule in the field of single molecular devices or nanometer electronics.     

内掺氮富勒烯N_2@C_(60)的几何结构和电子性质的密度泛函计算研究

采用密度泛函理论中的广义梯度近似对内掺氮富勒烯N2@C60的几何结构和电子性质进行计算研究.发现在N2@C60中,氮倾向以分子形式存在于C60中心处.键长分析、能级图、态密度图和电荷分析表明内掺氮分子对C60几何结构和电子结构带来的影响甚微.     

The observer-based synchronization and parameter estimation of a class of chaotic system via a single output

The conductance of a single molecule transport junction comprising anthracene molecular junction (AMJ) with fullerene as alligator clips was investigated using ab-initio density functional theory (DFT) in the Landauer–Imry regime of coherent tunnelling transport. In our previous research, we have already calculated the electrical transport properties of aromatic molecules with thiol, amine, hydroxyl and selenol end groups concluding the exceptional assistance in the formation of robust molecular junctions. In this article, we have presented the suitability of fullerene anchoring in coupling anthracene molecule with gold electrodes. AMJ with boron-20 (B-20) and C-20 alligator clips exhibited strongest conduction in contrast to nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine and neon alligator clips.     

Probing the zero-field splitting in the ordered N@C60 in buckycatcher C60H28 studied by EPR spectroscopy

The electronic structure of the endohedral fullerene ¹⁴N@C₆₀ spatially ordered in the crystal state by its supramolecular assembly with a buckycatcher C₆₀H₂₈ was investigated by X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The zero-field splitting (ZFS) found in the complex is significantly enhanced in comparison to the earlier reported data for the analogous systems. The large ZFS, presumably induced by the molecular order in the supramolecular complex makes it an attractive material for the future quantum control and coherence studies.     

单硫醇分子结的几何结构和电输运性质:压力效应与末端基团效应

利用杂化密度泛函理论,研究了以甲基、醇基、羧基为末端基团的烷烃硫醇分子与金电极形成分子结的过程,得到了分子结的几何结构与外加压力的关系. 并在此基础上,利用弹性散射格林函数方法研究了烷烃硫醇分子的电输运性质. 研究结果表明,对于C₁₁S分子来说,当两电极距离大于2.1 nm时,该分子结断裂;对于C₁₁SOH和C₁₀SCOOH来说,相应的分子结断裂的电极距离基本相同(2.15 nm). 在相同的外加压力(4.0 nN)下,C_{11关键词： 压力 末端基团 烷烃硫醇分子 电输运性质}     

Electronic and optical properties of fullerene nanostructures

Two new types of molecular/electronic fullerene nanostructures are considered: 1) highly stable hydrated clusters (I _h symmetry group) and microcrystals (T _h symmetry group) of fullerene C₆₀ in water solution and 2) the single-walled carbon nanotube from C₆₀ fullerenes. The vibrational spectra of these fullerene nanostructures are calculated using molecular dynamics. The electronic properties of a single-walled fullerene nanotube are investigated using the tight-binding method. The theoretical results obtained were compared with available experimental data. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 885–887 (May 1999) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Reproduced here with stylistic changes by the Translation Editor.     

内掺过渡金属非典型富勒烯M@C22(M=Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) 几何结构、电子结构、稳定性和磁性的密度泛函研究

采用密度泛函理论中广义梯度近似对非典型富勒烯C₂₂和过渡金属内掺衍生物M@C₂₂(M=Sc,Ti,V,Cr,Mn,Fe,Co和Ni)的几何结构和电子结构进行计算研究.发现非典型富勒烯C₂₂的基态结构是含有一个四碳环的单重态笼状结构.过渡金属原子的掺入明显提高了体系的稳定性. C-M键既有一定共价性又有一定离子性.磁性、能级图、轨道分布和态密度图分析表明: M原子的3d轨道和碳笼的C原子的原子轨道之间存在较强的轨道杂化. Ti, Cr, Fe和Ni内掺的结构出现磁性完全猝灭现象. Sc和碳笼间是弱反铁磁作用, V,Mn和Co与碳笼间是弱铁磁作用.     

Electronic structure of PCBM

We have studied the electronic structure of [6,6]-phenyl-C₆₁-butyric-acid-methyl-ester (PCBM) using synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) measurements and first-principles calculations. The PES spectrum of the entire occupied valence band is reported, which exhibits abundant spectral features from the Fermi level to ～24 eV binding energy. All the spectral features are broadened as compared with the cases of C₆₀. The reasons for the broadening are analysed by comparing the experimental data with the calculated energy levels and density of states. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the C₆₀ highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-1 derived states, which can play a crucial role in the bonding at the interfaces of PCBM/polymer blenders or PCBM/electrodes. Besides the well-known energy level splitting of the C₆₀ backbone caused by the lowered symmetry, C 2p states from the side chain mix or hybridize with the molecular orbitals of parent C₆₀. The contribution of the O 2p states can substantially modify the PES spectrum.     

Observation of the ferroelectric phase transition in Pb5Ge3O11 by the chemical potential changes

We observed the transition from the ferroelectric (FE) to paraelectric (PE) phase in the semiconducting, ferroelectric Pb₅Ge₃O₁₁ single crystal with the use of the contact electrode method. To this purpose a thin, metallic layer was placed onto the Pb₅Ge₃O₁₁ crystal surface, forming the contact electrode. At opposite ends of the contact electrode, silver wires were glued and a voltage was applied to the contact electrode in such a way that the electric current could flow only through the attached electrode. The electric resistance R(T) of the electrode was measured as a function of temperature. Two series of measurements were performed. In one of them the ferroelectric c-axis of the investigated crystal was perpendicular to the contact electrode. In the second one the c-axis was parallel to the attached electrode. We used gold as the contact electrode material. The anomaly in the R(T) in a form of a kink at T _kink?=?452?K was found for both c-axis orientations. The measured value of T _kink, appearing in the temperature dependence of contact electrode resistance, corresponds exactly to the phase transition temperature T _C from the FE to PE phase of the investigated Pb₅Ge₃O₁₁ material. This result demonstrates that the contact electrode method, primarily proposed exclusively to find critical temperatures of metallic samples, also works well in the case of ferroelectric and semiconducting materials like Pb₅Ge₃O₁₁. We ascribe the effect of the resistance kink in the temperature dependence of the contact electrode R(T) to thermal excitations of the electrons with different rates below and above T _C due to different electronic activation energies in the FE and PE phases of the investigated Pb₅Ge₃O₁₁ crystal. It, however, means that the phase transition in the electronic subsystem of the Pb₅Ge₃O₁₁ transfers into the electron gas of the contact electrode via the chemical potential relation µ _sample?=?µ _electrode due to the contact between the sample and the electrode. The magnitude of the kink, observed in the R(T) dependence, was higher on heating than on cooling. The additional measurement of the thermally stimulated current (TSC) was carried out on the non-polarised Pb₅Ge₃O₁₁ sample. In this series of measurements, the sample was covered with gold layers sputtered on the two opposite surfaces of the crystal. The TSC anomaly occurred, related to the residual pyroelectric effect, several degrees below the Curie temperature, T _C, and does not disturb the detection of the critical point with the use of the contact electrode method.