原子团簇的稳定结构和幻数

原子团簇介于原子分子和宏观凝聚物质之间 ,一般产生于非平衡条件 ,其结构和性质随所含原子数目而变化。当含有某些特定原子数时 ,团簇特别稳定 ,这就是“幻数”。本文重点讨论几种典型团簇的幻数及其演变规律 ,说明“幻数”是团簇的基本属性之一及其与键合方式的关系     

Doping of magic nanoclusters in the submonolayer In/Si(100) system

Si(100)4 x 3-In reconstruction is essentially a superlattice of magic (identical-size) Si7In6 nanoclusters. Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) observations, we have found that under appropriate growth conditions up to 35% of these clusters can be modified; namely, two Si atoms in the cluster can be replaced by two In atoms, thus forming a Si5In8 cluster. This modification can be considered as a doping of the magic cluster, as it changes the electronic properties of the cluster from semiconducting towards metallic. The doped cluster is less rigid than the ordinary one and swings in the electrical field of the STM tip. The atomic structure and stability of the doped magic cluster have been examined using first-principles total-energy calculations.     

Aln(n=2～7)团簇的结构和能级分布

采用密度泛函B3LYP的方法研究了小原子团簇Al2～7的几何结构和能级分布,分析了随团簇原子数的增加,团簇的几何结构和费米能级的变化情况.研究结果表明:Al2～7的团簇的几何结构在5个原子以前为平面结构,而从六个原子开始为空间立体的稳定结构.电子壳层结构表明,在铝团簇中没有出现非常明显的象碱金属那样的稳定幻数结构.在Al2～Al7团簇中,能级结构呈现明显的分立特征,费米能级随着原子个数的增加而减小,到Al7时又有所增加,且团簇的能量间隙最小.     

Magic numbers in metallo-inorganic clusters: chromium encapsulated in silicon cages

A systematic theoretical study of the equilibrium geometries and total energies of Cr encapsulated in Si clusters reveals that Cr@Si(12) is more stable than its neighbors. The origin of this enhanced stability is consistent with the 18-electron sum rule commonly used in the synthesis of stable chemical complexes, and may provide a criterion for a systematic search of magic numbers in metalloinorganic clusters. The 6 mu(B) magnetic moment of the caged Cr atom, the largest among the 3d transition metal atoms, is completely quenched. This effect of caging on the properties of transition metal atoms may lead to the synthesis of novel cluster based materials.     

Magic numbers in small clusters made up of two kinds of alkali atoms

The magic numbers in small clusters made up of two kinds of alkali atoms are theoretically studied and new experiments are proposed. These clusters exhibit two series of almost identical magic numbers, one for each kind of atoms, which are further identical to those for protons and neutrons in nuclear physics (i.e.,2,8,20,50,82).     

(MgC)n (n=1~10)团簇结构稳定性及金属性第一性原理研究

采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理对同比例二元团簇(MgC)n (n=1~10)的结构稳定性和金属性进行比较系统的研究。结果显示：当原子总数N=2, 4, 6, 8, 12时,二元团簇的结构为平面形状,其余为对称性较低的三维构型,且Mg3C3为幻数结构。另外,在二元团簇的形成过程中,镁、碳原子并不是均匀分布于空间中,而是首先形成各自倾向的构型,再结合成团簇。同时,(MgC)n (n=1~10)二元团簇的基态结构在原子总数N=10时发生突变,由平面形向三维结构转变。此外,最高占据轨道和最低未占据轨道间的能隙值除N=8外呈逐渐降低的趋势,说明在同比例二元团簇随尺寸增加的演化中出现半导体性与金属性间的相互转变行为。     

(MgC)n (n=1~10)团簇结构稳定性及金属性第一性原理研究

采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理对同比例二元团簇(MgC)n (n=1~10)的结构稳定性和金属性进行比较系统的研究。结果显示：当原子总数N=2, 4, 6, 8, 12时,二元团簇的结构为平面形状,其余为对称性较低的三维构型,且Mg3C3为幻数结构。另外,在二元团簇的形成过程中,镁、碳原子并不是均匀分布于空间中,而是首先形成各自倾向的构型,再结合成团簇。同时,(MgC)n (n=1~10)二元团簇的基态结构在原子总数N=10时发生突变,由平面形向三维结构转变。此外,最高占据轨道和最低未占据轨道间的能隙值除N=8外呈逐渐降低的趋势,说明在同比例二元团簇随尺寸增加的演化中出现半导体性与金属性间的相互转变行为。     

Clustering of chemisorbed H(D) atoms on the graphite (0001) surface due to preferential sticking

We present scanning tunneling microscopy experiments and density functional theory calculations which reveal a unique mechanism for the formation of hydrogen adsorbate clusters on graphite surfaces. Our results show that diffusion of hydrogen atoms is largely inactive and that clustering is a consequence of preferential sticking into specific adsorbate structures. These surprising findings are caused by reduced or even vanishing adsorption barriers for hydrogen in the vicinity of already adsorbed H atoms on the surface and point to a possible novel route to interstellar H2 formation.     

Formation and stabilization of Fe-induced magic clusters on Si(1 1 1)-(7 × 7) template

We demonstrate the growth of Fe-induced magic clusters on Si(1 1 1)-(7 × 7) template by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). These clusters form near a dimer row at one side of the half-unit cell (HUC); and with three different equivalent orientations. A cluster model comprising three top layer Si atoms bonded to six Fe atoms at the next layer in the 7 × 7 faulted-half template is proposed. The optimized cluster structure determined by first-principles total-energy calculation shows an inward-shifting of the three center Fe atoms. The clusters and the nearby center-adatoms of the next HUCs appear with a significantly reduced height below bias voltages 0.4 V in high resolution empty-state STM images, suggesting an energy gap opening near the Fermi level at these localized cluster and adatom sites. We explain the stabilization of the clusters on the 7 × 7 template using the gain in electronic energy as the driving force for cluster formation.     

AlnCl(n=2-14)团簇结构与电子性质的理论研究

运用卡里普索(CALYPSO)结构预测方法,在杂化密度泛函B3LYP/6-311G+(d)基组水平上,对AlnCl(n=2-14)团簇的几何结构与电子性质进行优化计算,并讨论了团簇的平均结合能、能隙、二阶能量差分、电离能、亲和能以及电子自然布局和极化率。研究结果表明：AlnCl(n=2-14)团簇的基态构型由简单平面几何结构向立体结构演化,形成Cl原子戴帽Aln-1Cl团簇结构;Cl原子的掺杂增大了Aln团簇的平均结合能;二阶能量差分、能隙、电离能、亲和能的变化表明Al7Cl是幻数团簇结构;团簇中的电荷总是由Al原子向Cl原子转移,原子之间的成键作用随着团簇尺寸的增大而增强。     

Al_nCl(n=2-14)团簇结构与电子性质的理论研究

运用卡里普索(CALYPSO)结构预测方法,在杂化密度泛函B3LYP/6-311G+(d)基组水平上,对Al_nCl(n=2-14)团簇的几何结构与电子性质进行优化计算,并讨论了团簇的平均结合能、能隙、二阶能量差分、电离能、亲和能以及电子自然布居和极化率.研究结果表明:Al_nCl(n=2-14)团簇的基态构型由简单平面几何结构向立体结构演化,形成Cl原子戴帽Al_n-1Cl团簇结构;Cl原子的掺杂增大了Al_n团簇的平均结合能;二阶能量差分、能隙、电离能、亲和能的变化表明Al_7Cl是幻数团簇结构;团簇中的电荷总是由Al_原子向Cl原子转移,原子之间的成键作用随着团簇尺寸的增大而增强.     

Diffraction of neutral helium clusters: evidence for "magic numbers"

The size distributions of neutral 4He clusters in cryogenic jet beams, analyzed by diffraction from a 100 nm period transmission grating, reveal magic numbers at N=10-11, 14, 22, 26-27, and 44 atoms. Whereas magic numbers in nuclei and clusters are attributed to enhanced stabilities, this is not expected for quantum fluid He clusters on the basis of numerous calculations. These magic numbers occur at threshold sizes for which the quantized excitations calculated with the diffusion Monte Carlo method are stabilized, thereby providing the first experimental confirmation for the energy levels of 4He clusters.     

AlH(3) and Al(2)H(6): magic clusters with unmagical properties

Enhanced stability, low electron affinity, and high ionization potential are the hallmarks of a "magic" cluster. With an electron affinity of 0.28 eV, ionization potential of 11.43 eV, and a large binding energy, AlH(3) satisfies these criteria. However, unlike other magic clusters that interact only weakly with each other, two AlH(3) clusters bind to each other with an energy of 1.54 eV. The resulting Al(2)H(6), while also a magic cluster in its own right, possesses the most unusual property that the difference between its adiabatic and vertical detachment energy is about 2 eV--the largest of any known cluster. These results, based on density functional theory, are verified experimentally through photodetachment spectroscopy.     

C@Al_(12)团簇吸附H的密度泛函理论研究

利用密度泛函理论的方法研究了C@Al12Hn(1≤n≤7)团簇的结构和稳定性.n为偶数的C@Al12Hn具有更高的稳定性,大的HOMO-LUMO能隙、H原子的结合能以及高的垂直电离势表明这些团簇具有很高的物理和化学稳定性.最高占据分子轨道电荷密度分析显示,偶数n的C@Al12Hn团簇中,一对H原子倾向于占据相反的位置.变形电荷密度分析表明H原子与主体C@Al12之间的结合表现为共价键的特征.对奇数n的C@Al12Hn都具有1μB的磁矩.     

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.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Ti12M clusters (M=Sc to Zn)

The geometries, electronic, and magnetic properties of the 3d atom doped icosahedron (ICO) Ti₁₂M (M=Sc to Zn), where a dopant atom replaces either the centra l(Ti₁₂M^c) or surface (Ti₁₂M^s) Ti atom in ICO Ti₁₃ cluster, have been systematically investigated by using the density functional theory. The structures of all the optimized Ti₁₂M^c and Ti₁₂M^s clusters are distorted ICO. Sc, Ni, Cu, and Zn atoms prefer to displace surface Ti atom, V, Cr, Mn, and Fe atoms prefer to displace central Ti atom. The position of impurity atom depends on the strength of the interaction between the central atom and the surface atoms. As compared to the pure Ti₁₃ cluster, Ti₁₂M^c and Ti₁₂M^s (M=V, Fe, Co, and Ni) clusters are more stable, Ti₁₂M^c and Ti₁₂M^s (M=Sc, Cr, Mn, Cu, and Zn) are less stable. Both Ti₁₂Ni^s and Ti₁₂Ni^c are magic clusters, which originate from their electronic as well as geometric closed shells. Because the exchange interaction prevails over the crystal field in Ti₁₂M clusters, the valence electrons fill molecular orbitals in terms of Hund’s rule of maximum spin.     

Structural properties of Cu clusters on Si(1 1 1):Cu2Si magic family

Basing on the results of the scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) observations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the structural model for the Cu magic clusters formed on Si(1 1 1)7 × 7 surface has been proposed. Using STM, composition of the Cu magic clusters has been evaluated from the quantitative analysis of the Cu and Si mass transport occurring during magic cluster converting into the Si(1 1 1)‘5.5 × 5.5’-Cu reconstruction upon annealing. Evaluation yields that Cu magic cluster accommodates 20 Cu atoms with 20 Si atoms being expelled from the corresponding 7 × 7 half unit cell (HUC). In order to fit these values, it has been suggested that the Cu magic clusters resemble fragments of the Cu₂Si-silicide monolayer incorporated into the rest-atom layer of the Si(1 1 1)7 × 7 HUCs. Using DFT calculations, stability of the nineteen models has been tested of which five models appeared to have formation energies lower than that of the original Si(1 1 1)7 × 7 surface. The three of five models having the lowest formation energies have been concluded to be the most plausible ones. They resemble well the evaluated composition and their counterparts are found in the experimental STM images.     

Structure and magnetization of small monodisperse platinum clusters

Magnetization measurements of well-characterized monodisperse Pt clusters consisting of 13+/-2 atoms in a zeolite confirm the predicted extraordinary magnetic polarization with up to 8 unpaired electrons on a cluster, corresponding to a magnetic moment of 0.65(5) microB per atom. The effect is partly quenched by hydrogen chemisorption. The study provides insight into the electronic structure of the cluster and is fundamental for an understanding of how magnetism develops in small clusters.     

Different magic number behaviors in supported metal clusters

Two different magic number behaviors in supported metal clusters, which contain several to hundreds of atoms, are revealed on a series of fcc(001) metal surfaces based on the calculations with the tight-binding potential. The magic number sequence persists on some surfaces while gradually disappears on the others with the increasing cluster size. A theory is proposed to explain these behaviors in terms of atomic interactions. We find in surprise that the different magic number behaviors are triggered by the relatively weak adatom–adatom interactions between next nearest-neighbor (NNN) atoms, although the closed shell of the magic cluster is enhanced by nearest-neighbor interactions. For an attractive NNN interaction, the closed shell of the magic cluster is gradually destabilized and eventually broken, leading to the disappearance of the magic number sequence with increasing cluster size. For a repulsive one, the closed shell and magic number sequence persists. Besides, our theory also allows a good understanding of the equilibrium shape of Cu islands on the Cu(001) surface.