O与O2在Au团簇上吸附的密度泛函理论研究

采用基于密度泛函理论(DFT)的Dmol³程序系统研究了O原子与O₂在 Au₁₉与Au₂₀团簇上的吸附反应行为. 结果表明: O在Au₁₉团簇顶端洞位上的吸附较Au₂₀强; 在侧桥位吸附强度相近. O与O₂在带负电Au团簇上吸附较强, 在正电团簇吸附较弱. 从O―O键长看, 当金团簇带负电时, O―O键长较长, 中性团簇次之, 正电团簇中O―O键长较短, 因而O₂活化程度依次减弱. 电荷布居分析表明, Au团簇带负电时, O与O₂得电子数较中性团簇多, 而团簇带正电时, 得电子数较少. 差分电荷密度(CDD)表明, O₂与Au团簇作用时, 金团簇失电子, O₂的π^*轨道得电子, 使O―O键活化. O₂在Au₁₉^-团簇上解离反应活化能为1.33 eV, 较中性团簇低0.53 eV; 而在Au₁₉⁺上活化能为2.27 eV, 较中性团簇高0.41 eV, 这与O₂在不同电性Au₁₉团簇O―O键活化规律相一致.     

Fragmentation dynamics of size-selected pyrrole clusters prepared by electron impact ionization: forming a solvated dimer ion core

Structure and dynamics of size-selected charged pyrrole clusters have been studied by means of molecular beam scattering experiments and ab initio calculations. Small neutral Pyn clusters were produced in Py/He mixture expansions, and the scattering experiment with a secondary beam of He-atoms was exploited to select the neutral clusters of different sizes. The complete size-selected fragmentation patterns for the neutral dimer to the tetramer after an electron impact ionization at 70 eV were obtained from the measurements of the angular and velocity distributions at different fragment masses. All the investigated cluster sizes decay mainly to the monomer ions Py+1 (from 60 to 80% of the corresponding neutral size) and to the dimer ion Py+2 (20-30%). The trimer ions Py+3 are generated to less than 10% from the neutral trimer and tetramer. To explain the observed results, we have calculated the structures and energetics of pyrrole clusters up to the trimer for the neutral and the ionic state using DFT and PMP2 methods. The ab initio calculations show that ionized pyrrole clusters are formed with a dimeric core that is solvated by neutral pyrrole molecules. In addition, the ground and ionic state of Py-Ar complexes were calculated at CCSD(T) level with extended basis in relevance to the mixed clusters produced in supersonic expansions of Py seeded in Ar. The calculated dissociation energies of the Py-Ar and (Py-Ar)+ complexes indicate that Ar atoms are able to rapidly evaporate after ionization. The combined analysis of the fragmentation probabilities, and calculations allowed us to estimate the distribution of energy deposited in the clusters after the electron impact, which peaks above 1 eV and has a tail up to 5 eV.     

Adsorption energies of molecular oxygen on Au clusters

The adsorption properties of O(2) molecules on anionic, cationic, and neutral Au(n) clusters (n=1-6) are studied using the density functional theory (DFT) with the generalized gradient approximation (GGA), and with the hybrid functional. The results show that the GGA calculations with the PW91 functional systemically overestimate the adsorption energy by 0.2-0.4 eV than the DFT ones with the hybrid functional, resulting in the failure of GGA with the PW91 functional for predicting the adsorption behavior of molecular oxygen on Au clusters. Our DFT calculations with the hybrid functional give the same adsorption behavior of molecular oxygen on Au cluster anions and cations as the experimental measurements. For the neutral Au clusters, the hybrid DFT predicts that only Au(3) and Au(5) clusters can adsorb one O(2) molecule.     

Ionization potentials of small lithium clusters (Lin) and hydrogenated lithium clusters (LinH)

We present accurate ionization potentials (IPs) for small lithium clusters and hydrogenated lithium clusters (n=1-4), computed using coupled-cluster singles and doubles theory augmented with a perturbative correction for connected triple excitations [CCSD(T)] with the correlation-consistent weighted core-valence quadruple-zeta basis set (cc-pwCVQZ). In some cases the full CCSDT method has been used. Comparison of computed binding energies with experiment for the pure cationic lithium clusters reveals excellent agreement, demonstrating that previous discrepancies between computed and experimentally derived atomization energies for the corresponding neutral clusters are due to the use of an inaccurate experimental IP for Li(4). The experimental IP for Li(4) falls 0.43 eV below our theoretical adiabatic value of 4.74 eV, which should be a lower bound to the measured IP. Our recommended zero-point corrected adiabatic IPs for Li, Li(2), Li(3), Li(4), LiH, Li(2)H, Li(3)H, and Li(4)H are 5.39, 5.14, 4.11, 4.74, 7.69, 3.98, 4.69, and 4.05 eV, respectively. Zero-point vibrationally corrected CCSD(T) atomization energies per atom for Li(2) (+), Li(3) (+), Li(4) (+), LiH(+), Li(2)H(+), Li(3)H(+), and Li(4)H(+) are 0.64, 0.96, 0.90, 0.056, 1.62, 1.40, and 1.40 eV, respectively.     

Electron affinities of uracil: microsolvation effects and polarizable continuum model

We present adiabatic electron affinities (AEAs) and the vertical detachment energies (VDEs) of the uracil molecule interacting with one to five water molecules. Credibility of MP2 and DFT/B3LYP calculations is supported by comparison with available benchmark CCSD(T) data. AEAs and VDEs obtained by MP2 and DFT/B3LYP methods copy trends of benchmark CCSD(T) results for the free uracil and uracil-water complexes in the gas phase being by 0.20 - 0.28 eV higher than CCSD(T) values depending on the particular structure of the complex. AEAs and VDEs from MP2 are underestimated by 0.09-0.15 eV. For the free uracil and uracil-(H(2)O)(n) (n = 1,2,3,5) complexes, we also consider the polarizable continuum model (PCM) and discuss the importance of the microsolvation when combined with PCM. AEAs and VDEs of uracil and uracil-water complexes enhance rapidly with increasing relative dielectric constant (ε) of the solvent. Highest AEAs and VDEs of the U(H(2)O)(5) complexes from B3LYP with ε = 78.4 are 2.03 and 2.81 eV, respectively, utilizing the correction from CCSD(T). Specific structural features of the microsolvated uracil-(H(2)O)(n) complexes and their anions are preserved also upon considering PCM in calculations of AEAs and VDEs.     

Silicon monohydride clusters Si(n)H (n = 4-10) and their anions: structures, thermochemistry, and electron affinities

The molecular structures, electron affinities, and dissociation energies of the Si(n)H/Si(n)H- (n = 4-10) species have been examined via five hybrid and pure density functional theory (DFT) methods. The basis set used in this work is of double-zeta plus polarization quality with additional diffuse s- and p-type functions, denoted DZP++. The geometries are fully optimized with each DFT method independently. The three different types of neutral-anion energy separations presented in this work are the adiabatic electron affinity (EA(ad)), the vertical electron affinity (EA(vert)), and the vertical detachment energy (VDE). The first Si-H dissociation energies, D(e)(Si(n)H --> Si(n) + H) for neutral Si(n)H and D(e)(Si(n)H- --> Si(n)- + H) for anionic Si(n)H- species, have also been reported. The structures of the ground states of these clusters are traditional H-Si single-bond forms. The ground-state geometries of Si5H, Si6H, Si8H, and Si9H predicted by the DFT methods are different from previous calculations, such as those obtained by Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics and nonorthogonal tight-binding molecular dynamics schemes. The most reliable EA(ad) values obtained at the B3LYP level of theory are 2.59 (Si4H), 2.84 (Si5H), 2.86 (Si6H), 3.19 (Si7H), 3.14 (Si8H), 3.36 (Si9H), and 3.56 (Si10H) eV. The first dissociation energies (Si(n)H --> Si(n) + H) predicted by all of these methods are 2.20-2.29 (Si4H), 2.30-2.83 (Si5H), 2.12-2.41 (Si6H), 1.75-2.03 (Si7H), 2.41-2.72 (Si8H), 1.86-2.11 (Si9H), and 1.92-2.27 (Si10H) eV. For the negatively charged ion clusters (Si(n)H- --> Si(n)- + H), the dissociation energies predicted are 2.56-2.69 (Si4H-), 2.80-3.01 (Si5H-), 2.86-3.06 (Si6H-), 2.80-3.03 (Si7H-), 2.69-2.92 (Si8H-), 2.92-3.18 (Si9H-), and 2.89-3.25 (Si10H-) eV.     

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization of small water clusters

Tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization studies of water clusters are performed using 10-14 eV synchrotron radiation and analyzed by reflectron time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. Photoionization efficiency (PIE) curves for protonated water clusters (H2O)(n)H+ are measured with 50 meV energy resolution. The appearance energies of a series of protonated water clusters are determined from the photoionization threshold for clusters composed of up to 79 molecules. These appearance energies represent an upper limit of the adiabatic ionization energy of the corresponding parent neutral water cluster in the supersonic molecular beam. The experimental results show a sharp drop in the appearance energy for the small neutral water clusters (from 12.62 +/- 0.05 to 10.94 +/- 0.06 eV, for H2O and (H2O)4, respectively), followed by a gradual decrease for clusters up to (H2O)23 converging to a value of 10.6 eV (+/-0.2 eV). The dissociation energy to remove a water molecule from the corresponding neutral water cluster is derived through thermodynamic cycles utilizing the dissociation energies of protonated water clusters reported previously in the literature. The experimental results show a gradual decrease of the dissociation energy for removal of one water molecule for small neutral water clusters (3 相似文献   

Unique CO chemisorption properties of gold hexamer: Au6(CO)n- (n = 0-3)

Elucidating the chemisorption properties of CO on gold clusters is essential to understanding the catalytic mechanisms of gold nanoparticles. Gold hexamer Au(6) is a highly stable cluster, known to possess a D(3)(h) triangular ground state structure with an extremely large HOMO-LUMO gap. Here we report a photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and quasi-relativistic density functional theory (DFT) study of Au(6)-CO complexes, Au(6)(CO)(n)(-) and Au(6)(CO)(n) (n = 0-3). CO chemisorption on Au(6) is observed to be highly unusual. While the electron donor capability of CO is known to decrease the electron binding energies of Au(m)(CO)(n)(-) complexes, CO chemisorption on Au(6) is observed to have very little effect on the electron binding energies of the first PES band of Au(6)(CO)(n)(-) (n = 1-3). Extensive DFT calculations show that the first three CO successively chemisorb to the three apex sites of the D(3)(h) Au(6). It is shown that the LUMO of the Au(6)-CO complexes is located in the inner triangle. Thus CO chemisorption on the apex sites (outer triangle) has little effect on this orbital, resulting in the roughly constant electron binding energies for the first PES band in Au(6)(CO)(n)(-) (n = 0-3). Detailed molecular orbital analyses lead to decisive information about chemisorption interactions between CO and a model Au cluster.     

The adsorption of CO on charged and neutral Au and Au2: a comparison between wave-function based and density functional theory

Quantum theoretical calculations are presented for CO attached to charged and neutral Au and Au(2) with the aim to test the performance of currently applied density functional theory (DFT) by comparison with accurate wave-function based results. For this, we developed a compact sized correlation-consistent valence basis set which accompanies a small-core energy-consistent scalar relativistic pseudopotential for gold. The properties analyzed are geometries, dissociation energies, vibrational frequencies, ionization potentials, and electron affinities. The important role of the basis-set superposition error is addressed which can be substantial for the negatively charged systems. The dissociation energies decrease along the series Au(+)-CO, Au-CO, and Au(-)-CO and as well as along the series Au(2)(+)-CO, Au(2)-CO, and Au(2)(-)-CO. As one expects, a negative charge on gold weakens the carbon oxygen bond considerably, with a consequent redshift in the CO stretching frequency when moving from the positively charged to the neutral and the negatively charged gold atom or dimer. We find that the different density functional approximations applied are not able to correctly describe the rather weak interaction between CO and gold, thus questioning the application of DFT to CO adsorption on larger gold clusters or surfaces.     

A photoelectron spectroscopic and computational study of sodium auride clusters, NanAun- (n = 1-3)

Negatively charged sodium auride clusters, NanAun- (n = 1-3), have been investigated experimentally using photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. Well-resolved electronic transitions were observed in the photoelectron spectra of NanAun- (n = 1-3) at several photon energies. Very large band gaps were observed in the photoelectron spectra of the anion clusters, indicating that the corresponding neutral clusters are stable closed-shell species. Calculations show that the global minimum of Na2Au2- is a quasi-linear species with Cs symmetry. A planar isomer of D2h symmetry is found to be 0.137 eV higher in energy. The two lowest energy isomers of Na3Au3- consist of three-dimensional structures of Cs symmetry. The global minimum of Na3Au3- has a bent-flake structure lying 0.077 eV below a more compact structure. The global minima of the sodium auride clusters are confirmed by the good agreement between the calculated electron detachment energies of the anions and the measured photoelectron spectra. The global minima of neutral Na2Au2 and Na3Au3 are found to possess higher symmetries with a planar four-membered ring (D2h) and a six-membered ring (D3h) structure, respectively. The chemical bonding in the sodium auride clusters is found to be highly ionic with Au acting as the electron acceptor.     

Theoretical study of oxygen adsorption on pure Au(n+1)+ and doped MAu(n)+ cationic gold clusters for M = Ti, Fe and n = 3-7

A comparative study of the adsorption of an O2 molecule on pure Au(n+1)+ and doped MAu(n)+ cationic gold clusters for n = 3-7 and M = Ti, Fe is presented. The simultaneous adsorption of two oxygen atoms also was studied. This work was performed by means of first principles calculations based on norm-conserving pseudo-potentials and numerical basis sets. For pure Au4 +, Au6+, and Au7+ clusters, the O2 molecule is adsorbed preferably on top of low coordinated Au atoms, with an adsorption energy smaller than 0.5 eV. Instead, for Au5+ and Au8+, bridge adsorption sites are preferred with adsorption energies of 0.56 and 0.69 eV, respectively. The ground-state geometry of Au(n)+ is almost unperturbed after O2 adsorption. The electronic charge flows towards O2 when the molecule is adsorbed in bridge positions and towards the gold cluster when O2 is adsorbed on top of Au atoms, and both the adsorption energy and the O-O bond length of adsorbed oxygen increase when the amount of electronic charge on O2 increases. On the other hand, we studied the adsorption of an O2 molecule on doped MAu(n)+ clusters, leading to the formation of (MAu(n)O2+) ad complexes with different equilibrium configurations. The highest adsorption energy was obtained when both atoms of O2 bind on top of the M impurity, and it is larger for Ti doped clusters than for Fe doped clusters, showing an odd-even effect trend with size n, which is opposite for Ti as compared to Fe complexes. For those adsorption configurations of (MAu(n)O2+) ad involving only Au sites, the adsorption energy is similar to or smaller than that for similar configurations of Au(n)+1O2 + complexes. However, the highest adsorption energy of (MAu(n)O2+) ad is higher than that for (Au(n)+1O2+) ad by a factor of approximately 4.0 (1.2) for M = Ti (M = Fe). The trends with size n are rationalized in terms of O-O and O-M bond distances, as well as charge transfer between oxygen and cluster substrates. The spin multiplicity of those (MAu(n)O2+) ad complexes with the highest O2 adsorption energy is a maximum (minimum) for M = Fe (Ti), corresponding to parallel (anti-parallel) spin coupling of MAu(n)+ clusters and O2 molecules. Finally, we obtained the minimum energy equilibrium structure of complexes (Au(n)O2+) dis and (MAu(n)O2+) dis containing two separated O atoms bonded at different sites of Au(n)+ and MAu(n)+ clusters, respectively. For (MAu(n)O2 (+)) dis, the equilibrium configuration with the highest adsorption energy is stable against separation in MAu(n)+ and O2 fragments, respectively. Instead, for (Au(n)O2+) dis, only the complex n = 6 is stable against separation in Au(n)+ and O2 fragments. The maximum separation energy of (MAu(n)O2+) dis is higher than the O2 adsorption energy of (MAu(n)O2+) ad complexes by factors of approximately 1.6 (2.5), 1.6 (1.7), 1.5 (2.4), 1.5 (1.3), and 1.6 (1.8) for M = Ti (Fe) complexes in the range n = 3-7, respectively.     

Molecular structures and energetics of the (TiO2)n (n = 1-4) clusters and their anions

The (TiO2)n clusters and their anions for n = 1-4 have been studied with coupled cluster theory [CCSD(T)] and density functional theory (DFT). For n > 1, numerous conformations are located for both the neutral and anionic clusters, and their relative energies are calculated at both the DFT and CCSD(T) levels. The CCSD(T) energies are extrapolated to the complete basis set limit for the monomer and dimer and calculated up to the triple-zeta level for the trimer and tetramer. The adiabatic and vertical electron detachment energies of the anionic clusters to the ground and first excited states of the neutral clusters are calculated at both levels and compared with the experimental results. The comparison allows for the definitive assignment of the ground-state structures of the anionic clusters. Anions of the dimer and tetramer are found to have very closely lying conformations within 2 kcal/mol at the CCSD(T) level, whereas that of the trimer does not. In addition, accurate clustering energies and heats of formation are calculated for the neutral clusters and compared with the available experimental data. Estimates of the titanium-oxygen bond energies show that they are stronger than the group VIB transition metal-oxygen bonds except for tungsten. The atomization energies of these clusters display much stronger basis set dependence than the clustering energies. This allows the calculation of more accurate heats of formation for larger clusters on the basis of calculated clustering energies.     

The Nature of the Binding of Au, Ag, and Pd to Benzene, Coronene, and Graphene: From Benchmark CCSD(T) Calculations to Plane-Wave DFT Calculations

The adsorption of Ag, Au, and Pd atoms on benzene, coronene, and graphene has been studied using post Hartree-Fock wave function theory (CCSD(T), MP2) and density functional theory (M06-2X, DFT-D3, PBE, vdW-DF) methods. The CCSD(T) benchmark binding energies for benzene-M (M = Pd, Au, Ag) complexes are 19.7, 4.2, and 2.3 kcal/mol, respectively. We found that the nature of binding of the three metals is different: While silver binds predominantly through dispersion interactions, the binding of palladium has a covalent character, and the binding of gold involves a subtle combination of charge transfer and dispersion interactions as well as relativistic effects. We demonstrate that the CCSD(T) benchmark binding energies for benzene-M complexes can be reproduced in plane-wave density functional theory calculations by including a fraction of the exact exchange and a nonempirical van der Waals correction (EE+vdW). Applying the EE+vdW method, we obtained binding energies for the graphene-M (M = Pd, Au, Ag) complexes of 17.4, 5.6, and 4.3 kcal/mol, respectively. The trends in binding energies found for the benzene-M complexes correspond to those in coronene and graphene complexes. DFT methods that use empirical corrections to account for the effects of vdW interactions significantly overestimate binding energies in some of the studied systems.     

Electronic structures and thermochemical properties of the small silicon-doped boron clusters B(n)Si (n=1-7) and their anions

We perform a systematic investigation on small silicon-doped boron clusters B(n)Si (n=1-7) in both neutral and anionic states using density functional (DFT) and coupled-cluster (CCSD(T)) theories. The global minima of these B(n)Si(0/-) clusters are characterized together with their growth mechanisms. The planar structures are dominant for small B(n)Si clusters with n≤5. The B(6)Si molecule represents a geometrical transition with a quasi-planar geometry, and the first 3D global minimum is found for the B(7)Si cluster. The small neutral B(n)Si clusters can be formed by substituting the single boron atom of B(n+1) by silicon. The Si atom prefers the external position of the skeleton and tends to form bonds with its two neighboring B atoms. The larger B(7)Si cluster is constructed by doping Si-atoms on the symmetry axis of the B(n) host, which leads to the bonding of the silicon to the ring boron atoms through a number of hyper-coordination. Calculations of the thermochemical properties of B(n)Si(0/-) clusters, such as binding energies (BE), heats of formation at 0 K (ΔH(f)(0)) and 298 K (ΔH(f)([298])), adiabatic (ADE) and vertical (VDE) detachment energies, and dissociation energies (D(e)), are performed using the high accuracy G4 and complete basis-set extrapolation (CCSD(T)/CBS) approaches. The differences of heats of formation (at 0 K) between the G4 and CBS approaches for the B(n)Si clusters vary in the range of 0.0-4.6 kcal mol(-1). The largest difference between two approaches for ADE values is 0.15 eV. Our theoretical predictions also indicate that the species B(2)Si, B(4)Si, B(3)Si(-) and B(7)Si(-) are systems with enhanced stability, exhibiting each a double (σ and π) aromaticity. B(5)Si(-) and B(6)Si are doubly antiaromatic (σ and π) with lower stability.     

Adsorption of molecular hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide on Au clusters

The authors present theoretical results describing the adsorption of H2 and H2S molecules on small neutral and cationic gold clusters (Au(n)((0/+1)), n=1-8) using density functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation. Lowest energy structures of the gold clusters along with their isomers are considered in the optimization process for molecular adsorption. The adsorption energies of H2S molecule on the cationic clusters are generally greater than those on the corresponding neutral clusters. These are also greater than the H2 adsorption energies on the corresponding cationic and neutral clusters. The adsorption energies for cationic clusters decrease with increasing cluster size. This fact is reflected in the elongations of the Au-S and Au-H bonds indicating weak adsorption as the cluster grows. In most cases, the geometry of the lowest energy gold cluster remains planar even after the adsorption. In addition, the adsorbed molecule gets adjusted such that its center of mass lies on the plane of the gold cluster. Study of the orbital charge density of the gold adsorbed H2S molecule reveals that conduction is possible through molecular orbitals other than the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level. The dissociation of the cationic Au(n)SH2+ cluster into Au(n)S+ and H2 is preferred over the dissociation into Au(m)SH2+ and Au(n-m), where n=2-8 and m=1-(n-1). H2S adsorbed clusters with odd number of gold atoms are more stable than neighboring even n clusters.     

Probing the electronic and structural properties of chromium oxide clusters (CrO3)n(-) and (CrO3)n (n = 1-5): photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations

Photoelectron spectroscopy has been conducted for a series of (CrO3)n(-) (n = 1-5) clusters and compared with density functional calculations. Well-resolved photoelectron spectra were obtained for (CrO3)n(-) (n = 1-5) at 193 nm (6.424 eV) and 157 nm (7.866 eV) photon energies, allowing for accurate measurements of the electron binding energies, low-lying electronic excitations for n = 1 and 2, and the energy gaps. Density functional and molecular orbital theory (CCSD(T)) calculations were performed to locate the ground and low-lying excited states for the neutral clusters and to calculate the electron binding energies of the anionic species. The experimental and computational studies firmly establish the unique low-spin, nonplanar, cyclic ring structures for (CrO3)n and (CrO3)n(-) for n > or = 3. The structural parameters of (CrO3)n are shown to converge rapidly to those of the bulk CrO3 crystal. The extra electron in (CrO3)n(-) (n > or = 2) is shown to be largely delocalized over all Cr centers, in accord with the relatively sharp ground-state photoelectron bands. The measured energy gaps of (CrO3)n exhibit a sharp increase from n = 1 to n = 3 and approach to the bulk value of 2.25 eV at n = 4 and 5, consistent with the convergence of the structural parameters.     

Guided ion-beam studies of the kinetic-energy-dependent reactions of Co(n)+ (n = 2-16) with D2: cobalt cluster-deuteride bond energies

The kinetic-energy-dependent cross sections for the reactions of Co(n)+ (n = 2-16) with D2 are measured as a function of kinetic energy over a range of 0-8 eV in a guided ion-beam tandem mass spectrometer. The observed products are Co(n) D+ for all clusters and Co(n)D2+ for n = 4,5,9-16. Reactions for the formation of Co(n)D+ (n = 2-16) and Co9D2+ are observed to exhibit thresholds, whereas cross sections for the formation of Co(n)D2+ (n = 4,5,10-16) exhibit exothermic reaction behavior. The Co(n)+-D bond energies as a function of cluster size are derived from the threshold analysis of the kinetic-energy dependence of the endothermic reactions and are compared to previously determined metal-metal bond energies, D0(Co(n)+-Co). The bond energies of Co(n)+-D generally increase as the cluster size increases, and roughly parallel those for Co(n)+-Co for clusters n > or = 4. These trends are explained in terms of electronic and geometric structures for the Co(n)+ clusters. The bond energies of Co(n)+-D for larger clusters (n > or = 10) are found to be very close to the value for chemisorption of atomic hydrogen on bulk-phase cobalt. The rate constants for D2 chemisorption on the cationic clusters are compared with the results from previous work on cationic and neutral cobalt clusters.     

Density functional study of the interaction of carbon monoxide with small neutral and charged silver clusters

CO adsorption on small neutral, anionic, and cationic silver clusters Ag(n) (n = 1-7) has been studied with use of the PW91PW91 density functional theory (DFT) method. The adsorption of CO on-top site, among various possible sites, is energetically preferred irrespective of the charge state of the silver cluster. The cationic silver clusters generally have a greater tendency to adsorb CO than the anionic and neutral silver ones, except for n = 3 and 4, and the binding energies reach a local minimum at n = 5. The binding energies on the neutral clusters, instead, reach a local maximum at n = 3, which is about 0.87 eV, probably large enough to be captured in the experiments. Binding of CO to the silver clusters is generally weaker than that to the copper and gold counterparts at the same size and charge state. This is due to the weaker orbital interaction between silver and CO, which is caused by the larger atomic radius of the silver atom. In contrast, Au atoms with a larger nuclear charge but a similar atomic radius to silver owing to the lanthanide contraction are able to have a stronger interaction with CO.     

Enhanced stability by three-dimensional aromaticity of endohedrally doped clusters X(10)M(0/-) with X = Ge, Sn, Pb and M = Cu, Ag, Au

The group 14 clusters encapsulated by coinage metals in neutral and anionic states X(10)M(0/-) (X = Ge, Sn, Pb and M = Cu, Ag, Au) are investigated using quantum chemical calculations with the DFT/B3LYP functional and coupled-cluster CCSD(T) theory. Addition of transition metals into the empty cages forms high symmetry endohedral structures, except for Ge(10)Ag(0/-). In agreement with experiments available for X(10)Cu, the D(4d) global minima of the anions are calculated to be magic clusters with large frontier orbital gaps, high vertical and adiabatic detachment energies, and large embedding energies and binding energies as compared to those of the empty cages X(10)(2-). The enhanced stability of these magic clusters can be rationalized by the three-dimensional aromaticity.