Local and electronic structure of free NaCl clusters as the cluster size function: Analysis by XANES and DFT methods

Changes in the atomic and electronic structures of free NaCl clusters as the cluster size function are analyzed based on density functional theory and the finite difference method. It is shown that the geometric atomic structure of clusters distorts more with decreasing size. Along with this, an increase in the HOMO-LUMO gap is observed.     

Small copper nanoclusters: X-ray absorption analysis

X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra at the cooper L_2,3-edge of small cooper nanoclusters has been studied. Theoretical interpretation of XANES spectra measured for small copper nanoclusters have been performed. Theoretical analysis is based on a self-consistent full multiple scattering theory of X-ray absorption as well as on non-muffin-tin finite difference method (FDM). This approach allows choosing the best model for local geometry of small cooper nanoclusters.     

Atomic structure of small and intermediate-size silver nanoclusters

Molecular dynamic simulations were performed to study the morphology and binding energy of the most stable isomers of silver clusters with diameters of less than 2 nm. A 5-fold symmetry was found in most cases, and a novel morphology for the clusters of 39 and 116 silver atoms was identified. This morphology can be understood in terms of decahedral and icosahedral geometries, which are intercalated, as we explain in detail. These kind of structures have been observed for gold and now are predicted for small and intermediate silver nanoparticles.     

Exploring the electronic structure of elemental lithium: from small molecules to nanoclusters, bulk metal, and surfaces

Clusters of lithium atoms ranging in size from Li4 to Li40 and bulk metallic solids, including surfaces, are investigated through first principles electronic structure calculations, which are based upon density functional theory and the electron localization function (ELF). It is found that large lithium ppi-type contributions in the electronic wavefunction cause the electrons to localize in interstitial regions, which leads to multicenter bonding for both the clusters and the solids, including their surfaces. For the smaller clusters these stabilizing ppi interactions also lead to short Li-Li interatomic distances, which in conjunction with the longer bonds induces "distance alternation" in the range from 2.45 A to 3.15 A. This consequence of the additional ppi interactions is absent in simple solids due to symmetry. The electronic structure of the clusters is topologically insensitive to deformations that do not affect their general shape, but changes significantly upon isomerization. The ramifications upon dynamic properties is that the clusters are quasi-rigid at low temperatures and retain their shape though the distance alternation pattern is suppressed. The picture which emerges for bonding in the bulk solid is that the metallic state arises from the presence of a large number of partially occupied multicenter bonds. For nanoscale clusters only the surface of these clusters exhibits strong localization, whereas their interiors display localization properties similar to the bulk metallic solid. On the other hand, localized states similar to those of the clusters ("dangling bonds") are found on the (001) surface of body-centered cubic (bcc) and face-centered cubic (fcc) lithium solids.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and DFT analysis of a new trinuclear complex of copper

The new trinuclear complex [Cu₂(μ-L)₂CuCl₂] has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis and X-ray spectroscopy, where L is a dianionic tetradentate Schiff base ligand with N₂O₂ donor atoms. The molecular structure of [Cu₂(μ-L)₂CuCl₂] was determined by X-ray crystallography. In the complex, the most remarkable aspect of the trinuclear complex is that it adopts a bent structure for the three copper atoms, with a Cu1Cu3Cu2 intramolecular angle of approximately 90.62(2)°. All three copper atoms are five coordinate, with a slightly distorted square pyramidal geometry. In the two terminals moieties, the basal plane of the square pyramidal is formed by two oxygen atoms and two nitrogen atoms of the Schiff base ligand, and the apical position at the Cu atom is occupied by the bridging Cl1 anion. The Cu1Cl1Cu2 angle is 110.51(5)°. The central copper atom also has a five-coordinate, slightly distorted square pyramidal geometry, with four phenolato oxygens belonging to the Schiff base ligands from Cu(salpn) units describing the square planar base and the Cl anions being apical. The optimized structure of the complex has been studied using the B3LYP/6-31G(d)/LanL2TZf level of theory. The calculation shows that all the copper atoms are five coordinate with distorted square pyramidal structures, which is consistent with experimental data.     

Synchrotron radiation for structure analysis—EXAFS and XANES

In this paper, a newly developed technique for the structure analysis of materials by the use of the X-rays emitted from storage ring of synchrotron is introduced. Principle, applications and limitations of the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) are discussed.     

Electronic structure of small copper clusters

An all-electron ab initio LCAO -MO SCF calculation has been carried out for the electronic structure of small copper clusters (Cu_n, n = 2–6). The basis set superposition error occurring in the calculation, the equilibrium configuration of Cu₃, the bond energy in the clusters, and the localized d-hole in excited and ionized states of Cu₂ are closely examined.     

Geometrical and electronic structure of hydrated CH 5 + and CH 5 −

Different conformations of isolated and solvated CH ₅ ⁺ and CH ₅ ^? ions have been studied by CNDO method with Wiberg's parametrization. The anion has been found to have a most stable conformation ofD _3h symmetry both in the gas phase and in solution. AC _s symmetry conformation is the most stable one for the isolated cation, whereas a conformation withC _4v symmetry is energetically preferred in solution.     

Atomic carbon adsorption on Ni nanoclusters: a DFT study

Atomic carbon is a key intermediate interacting with transition metal clusters during the growth of carbon nanotube (CNT). Present density functional calculations studied the initial carbon adsorption on four Ni nanoclusters (N₁₃, N₁₅, N₃₈, and N₅₅). Our results show that carbon atoms preferentially adsorb on high-coordination sites, and carbon adsorption energies are larger on smaller Ni clusters. Ni cluster reconstruction plays an important role in creating more stable subsurface adsorption sites. The migration of adsorbed carbon atom on the surface threefold hollow site into the underlying interstitial subsurface positions is thermodynamically and kinetically feasible. The results indicate that the investigation of CNT growth mechanism should include both surface and subsurface carbon atoms, coupled with surface reconstruction of Ni nanoclusters.     

DFT study of electronic structure of saccharin,thiosaccharin, and their respective ions: Effects of metal coordination on thiosaccharinate electronic structure

A rationalization of the conspicuous different abilities of saccharin and thiosaccharin to form coordination compounds with the first series of transition metal elements and to interact with heavy metal cations is sought. Their electronic molecular structures as well as those of their respective ions are compared performing natural bond orbitals (NBO) analyses of the four species. Upon deprotonation, the negative charge at the N atom in saccharin is almost constant while it decreases in thiosaccharin and the negative charge at the monocoordinated chalcogen atom is notably more increased in the latter than in the former. Apparently, the negative charge reorganization makes difficult the coordination of thiosaccharin with the first series of transition metal elements and favors its experimentally observed interaction with heavy metal cations such as cadmium, lead, mercury, silver, and thallium. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2002     

The electronic structure of small sodium clusters

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations using the STO3-21G basis set has been carried out for the cluster series Na _n ⁺ , Na _n , and Na _n ^– (wheren=2–7). The basis set is shown to be reliable compared with more extensive basis sets at the Hartree-Fock level. Thirty-one optimized structures are reported and discussed, many of which (especially for the anions) have not been considered. The STO3-21G//STO3-21G calculations suggest that for most of the species the optimum geometries are planar. In particular, the optimized structures for the anionic species should provide a starting point for more sophisticated configuration interaction calculations.     

The electronic structure of small lithium clusters

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations using the STO-6G and STO6-21G basis sets have been performed for the cluster series Li _n ⁺ , Li _n , and Li _n ^– (wheren=2–7). Thirty-two optimized structures are discussed and reported, many of which (especially for the anionic structures) have not yet been considered. The calculations suggest that for all three species the optimum geometries are planar. Of the two levels of theories that were investigated, STO-6G//STO-6G and STO6-21G//STO-6G, the latter hybrid theory was found to be less reliable. In particular, for the anionic structures these calculations should provide a platform from which more sophisticated, i.e., configuration interaction, geometry optimization can be performed.     

Conceptual DFT based electronic structure principles in a dynamical context

Within the context of quantum fluid density functional theory diverse processes simulating a chemical reaction like interaction of an atom or a molecule with an externally applied electric or magnetic field or its collision with a proton have been analyzed in a dynamical situation. The changes produced in the chemical reactivity parameters namely chemical potential, hardness, polarizability during such processes have been identified and discussed. In addition, confinement is also introduced to observe the necessary variation in the different reactivity parameters.     

DFT study of electronic and magnetic structure of perovskite and post-perovskite CaRhO3

Within density functional theory the equations of state for perovskite (PV) and post-perovskite (PPV) forms of CaRhO₃ are obtained with equilibrium values of volume in agreement with experiment. Energy magnitudes point to a stabilization of PPV versus PV. This is interpreted by analyses of the charge density and the chemical bonding plots, showing that the Rh–O interactions within two oxygen sublattices are selectively differentiated and reinforced for one of the two oxygen sublattices within PPV variety with respect to PV one. Investigation of the magnetic properties shows no magnetic order and a metallic character for PV while ferromagnetism occurs in PPV with a tendency to insulating behavior. This long range order is favored by direct t_2g–t_2g interactions through edge sharing octahedra in PPV CaRhO₃, stronger than indirect t_2g–p_π–t_2g ones in PV variety.     

Small ternary AlnBmHl clusters: DFT analysis of structure and properties

Structural Chemistry - Using a stochastic multistep algorithm, a systematic search for the lowest energy structures and different isomeric forms of atomic AlnBmHl clusters with n + m...