Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Melting and Coalescence in the Mixed Cu–Ni Nanoclusters

Molecular dynamics simulation with the embedded atom method was applied to study the melting and coalescence in the mixed Cu–Ni nanoclusters. The validity of the model was tested by examining the consistency of the phase diagrams of the (Cu_682-mNi_m)₆₈₂ and (Cu_1048-mNi_m)₁₀₄₈ clusters with the Cu–Ni bulk. The coalescences of two mixed Cu–Ni clusters and a pure Cu cluster with a pure Ni cluster were simulated. The coalesced temperature T _c forming a liquid complex and melting temperature T _m of the cluster with the same size were compared. The results indicate that T _c is higher than T _m for the coalescences of both (CuNi)₆₈₂ and (CuNi)₁₀₄₈ clusters. The analysis of the relationship between the Cu–Ni bond content and T _c indicates that the formation of the Cu–Ni bonds contributes a lot to the phenomenon.     

Electrocatalysis of Nitrate Reduction at Copper‐Nickel Alloy Electrodes in Acidic Media

The cathodic reduction of NO in 1.0 M HClO₄ is investigated by voltammetry at pure Ni and Cu electrodes, and three Cu‐Ni alloy electrodes of varying composition, all configured as rotated disks. Voltammetric data obtained using these hydrodynamic electrodes demonstrate significantly improved activity for NO reduction at Cu‐Ni alloy electrodes as compared to the pure Ni and Cu electrodes. This observation is explained on the basis of the synergistic benefit of different surface sites for adsorption of H‐atoms, generated by cathodic discharge of H⁺ at Ni‐sites, and adsorption of NO at Cu‐sites on these binary alloy electrodes. Koutecky‐Levich plots indicate that the cathodic response for NO at a Cu₇₅Ni₂₅ electrode corresponds to an 8‐electron reduction, which is consistent with production of NH₃. In comparison, the cathodic response at Cu₅₀Ni₅₀ and Cu₂₅Ni₇₅ electrodes corresponds to a 6‐electron reduction, which is consistent with production of NH₂OH. Flow injection data obtained using Cu₅₀Ni₅₀ and Cu₂₅Ni₇₅ electrodes with 100‐μL injections exhibit detection limits for NO of ca. 0.95 μM (ca. 95 pmol) and 0.60 μM (ca. 60 pmol), respectively.     

Highly Branched Metal Alloy Networks with Superior Activities for the Methanol Oxidation Reaction

Three‐dimensional (3D) interconnected metal alloy nanostructures possess superior catalytic performance owing to their advantageous characteristics, including improved catalytic activity, corrosion resistance, and stability. Hierarchically structured Ni‐Cu alloys composed of 3D network‐like microscopic branches with nanoscopic dendritic feelers on each branch were crafted by a facile and efficient hydrogen evolution‐assisted electrodeposition approach. They were subsequently exploited for methanol electrooxidation in alkaline media. Among three hierarchically structured Ni‐Cu alloys with different Ni/Cu ratios (Ni_0.25Cu_0.75, Ni_0.50Cu_0.50, and Ni_0.75Cu_0.25), the Ni_0.75Cu_0.25 electrode exhibited the fastest electrochemical response and highest electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation. The markedly enhanced performance of Ni_0.75Cu_0.25 eletrocatalyst can be attributed to its alloyed structure with the proper Ni/Cu ratio and a large number of active sites on the surface of hierarchical structures.     

13-atom Ni-Al alloy clusters: Structures and dynamics

Structural and dynamical properties of model 13-atom Ni_nAl_m alloy clusters derived from a many-body potential are presented and discussed. Characterization of the structures corresponding to a given stoichiometric composition (i.e., chosen number of Ni and Al atoms) is carried out in terms of isomeric (geometric) forms and different distributions of the two types of atoms between the sites of a chosen isomer. We use the term homotops (“the same topography or geometry”) to label the structural forms that differ only by these distributions. The number and the energy spectra of the homotops are sensitive functions of the stoichiometric composition and isomeric form. Similarly to homogeneous clusters, alloy clusters undergo a solid-to-liquidlike transition as their energy is increased. Individual stages in the transition, such as isomerizations involving only surface atoms, isomerizations involving all atoms, surface melting (in a system as small as 13 atoms), and complete melting are identified and characterized. The actual occurrence of some or all of these stages in the meltinglike transition of a given cluster depends on the character of the energy spectra of its homotops, i.e., ultimately, on its stoichiometric composition. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 62: 185–197, 1997     

Density-Functional Theory Study on Neutral and Charged M n C2 (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu; n = 1–5) Clusters

The ground-state geometrical and electronic properties of neutral and charged M _n C₂ (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu; n = 1–5) clusters are systematically investigated by density-functional calculations. The growth evolution trends of neutral and charged Fe _n C₂, Co _n C₂, Ni _n C₂ and Cu _n C₂ (n = 1–5) clusters are all from lower to higher dimensionality, while it is special for Cu _n C ₂ ^± (n = 1–5) clusters which favor planer growth model. The space directional distributions of Co and Ni indicate stronger magnetic anisotropy than that in Cu atoms. Compare with experimental data (photoelectron spectroscopy), our results are in good agreement. The interaction strengths between metal and carbon atoms in TM–C (TM = Fe, Co, Ni) clusters are comparable and are obviously larger than that in Cu–C clusters, and this interaction strengths also decrease through the sequence: cation > neutral > anion, which may be crucial in exploring the differences in the growth mechanisms of metal–carbon nano-materials.     

Atomistic Simulation Study of Cu0.327Ni0.673 Alloys: from Solid Solution to Phase Segregation

We present a combined Monte‐Carlo/molecular dynamics study of a Cu_0.327Ni_0.673 alloy system. On the basis of nearest‐neighbor coordination number analyses atomic clustering and phase segregation is explored. Along this line, free energy profiles are calculated and separated into entropic and energetic contributions. The competition of both terms was found in accordance to the experimental phase diagrams (phase separation of the solid solution below about 600 Kelvin). Two independent simulation runs were performed. At 1000 Kelvin the observed configurations correspond to solid solutions exhibiting a weak tendency to cluster atoms of identical species. At room temperature the energetic favoring of atomic separation is clearly dominant and leads to the formation of Ni‐rich and Cu‐rich domains. The latter are separated by interfacial regions whose width ranges from 0.5 to 1 nanometers.     

Cover Feature: Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Study of H2 Dissociation Mechanisms on Cu13 and Defective Graphene-supported Cu13 Clusters: Active Sites,Energy Barriers and Adsorption States (ChemPhysChem 19/2023)

Ab initio molecular dynamics calculations were performed to study H₂ dissociation mechanisms on Cu₁₃ and defective graphene-supported Cu₁₃ clusters. The study reveals that seven types of corresponding dissociation processes are found on the two clusters. The average dissociation energy barriers are 0.51 eV on the Cu₁₃ cluster and 0.12 eV on the defective graphene-supported Cu₁₃ cluster, which are lowered by ~19 % and ~81 % compared with the pristine Cu(111) surface, respectively. Furthermore, compared with the pure Cu₁₃ cluster, the average dissociation energy barrier on the defective graphene-supported Cu₁₃ cluster is substantially reduced by about 76 %. The preferred dissociation mechanisms on the two clusters are H₂ located at a top-bridge site with the barrier heights of 0.30 eV on the Cu₁₃ cluster and −0.31 eV on the defective graphene-supported Cu₁₃ cluster_. Analysis of the H−Cu bond interactions in the transition states shows that the antibonding-orbital center shifts upward on the defective graphene-supported Cu₁₃ cluster compared with the one on the Cu₁₃ cluster, which explains the reduction of the dissociation energy barrier. The average adsorption energy of dissociated H atoms is also greatly enhanced on the defective graphene-supported Cu₁₃ cluster, about twice that on the Cu₁₃ cluster.     

The Electronic and Magnetic Properties of a Few Transition-Metal Clusters

Using density functional theory we present a systematic study of the electronic and magnetic properties of various nickel clusters and two small bimetallic clusters, Ni _n Co _m and Ni _n Fe _m (n + m ≤ 6). A detail study of binding energy, magnetic moment and stability function of pure nickel clusters of nuclearity (N) 40–60 have been performed. We observe that the magic numbers occur at N = 43, 46, 49, 53, 55, and 58, which correspond to the most stable clusters. We find that, with increase in substitution of Co and Fe atoms in Ni cluster, while Ni _n Co _m becomes more stable, the Ni _n Fe _m clusters become less stable. The significant enhancement of average magnetic moment and suppression of local magnetic moment of nickel atoms are found in both clusters with increase in Co and Fe concentration.     

Copper Crystallization from Aqueous Solution: Initiation and Evolution of the Polynuclear Clusters

The initial steps of copper electrocrystallization process from aqueous solutions have been studied at DFT level of theory. It has been shown that Cu(H₂O) unit is the final product of Cu²⁺-ions electroreduction. From this particle clusters Cu_n·aq are formed and grow. Aggregation of copper atoms to the Cu_n·aq clusters consists of two steps. The first step includes condensation of Cu(H₂O) units to hydrated clusters Cu_n(H₂O)_n (n = 2–6). At the second step bonding of Cu(H₂O) particles is accompanied by dehydration of clusters yielding Cu_n(H₂O)_m structures (n > m). Cluster Cu₇·aq has been singled out as key structure based on calculated values of energies and Cu–Cu bond distances of Cu_n·aq clusters. This cluster is of D_5h symmetry which is typical for copper microcrystals formed from aqueous solutions in electrocrystallization processes on foreign surface. This key particle could be considered as a critical nucleus. Number of copper atoms therein matches average dimension of critical nucleus.     

Density functional theory study of the adsorption of NO on CunX (n = 2–8; X = Cu,K) clusters

Density functional theory calculations are performed to analyze the structure and stability of Cu and Cu-K clusters with 3 to 9 atoms. The results indicate that the stability of the clusters decreases after doping with a K atom. With the increase of cluster size, the stability of the clusters shows odd-even alternation. Cu₈ and Cu₇K clusters exhibit the highest stability. Next, different adsorption sites are considered to investigate the geometry of Cu_nNO and Cu_n−1KNO clusters. By calculating the adsorption energy and the HOMO-LUMO energy gap, it is determined that both types of reactions are exothermic processes, indicating stable adsorption of NO. Notably, the Cu_nK clusters are more active (stronger adsorption) for NO than the Cu_n clusters. The most chemically active clusters among Cu_nNO and Cu_n−1KNO clusters are Cu₈NO and Cu₇KNO clusters. Finally, electron transfer and Mayer bond order analysis of Cu₈NO and Cu₇KNO clusters reveal that the N O bond order decreases due to electron transfer when Cu/Cu-K clusters adsorb NO. In this process, the N atom is the electron donor and the Cu atom is the electron acceptor. Fundamental insights obtained in this study can be useful in the design of Cu/Cu-K catalysts.     

All-electron relativistic calculations on hydrogen atom adsorption onto small copper clusters

An all-electron scalar relativistic calculation on Cu _n H (n = 1–13) clusters has been performed by using density functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation at the PW91 level. Our results reveal that the hydrogen atom prefers to occupy the two fold coordination site for Cu _n H (n = 2, 4–6, 8, 10–13) clusters, the single fold coordination site for Cu _n H (n = 1, 3, 7) and the three fold coordination site for Cu₉H cluster. For all Cu _n H clusters, only the Cu₁₁ structure in Cu₁₁H is distorted obviously. After adsorption, the Cu–Cu bond is strengthened and the Cu–H bond of odd-numbered Cu _n H clusters is relatively stronger than that of adjacent even-numbered Cu _n H clusters. The Cu–Cu bond-length and Cu–H bond-length for all Cu _n H clusters of our work are significantly shorter than those of previous work. This discrepancy can be explained in terms of the scalar relativistic effect. The most favorable adsorption between small copper clusters and hydrogen atom takes place in the case that hydrogen atom is adsorbed onto an odd-numbered pure Cu _n cluster and becomes Cu _n H cluster with even number of valence electrons. The odd–even alteration of magnetic moments is observed in Cu _n H clusters and may provide the material with tunable code capacity of “0” and “1” by adsorbing a hydrogen atom onto odd- or even-numbered copper clusters.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a novel trinickel cluster: {[Ni(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>L)(EtOH)]<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OAc)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ni} · 2EtOH

A novel trinuclear Ni^II cluster, {[Ni(H₂L)(EtOH)]₂(OAc)₂Ni} · 2EtOH [H₄L:5,5′-Dihydroxy-2,2′-[ethylenedioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol], has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The X-ray crystal structure of the cluster reveals that two acetates coordinate to three nickel ions through Ni–O–C–O–Ni bridges and four μ-phenoxo oxygen atoms from two [Ni(H₂L)] units also coordinate to nickel ions. Around three nickel atoms are all octahedral geometries.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of NiPdTe and Ni2PdSe2

The metal‐rich chalcogenides NiPdTe and Ni₂PdSe₂ were synthesized by heating stoichiometric mixtures of the elements at 823–1323 K in silica ampoules under argon atmosphere. The structures were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. NiPdTe (Pnma, a = 8.337(2), b = 3.758(1), c = 6.290(1) Å, Z = 4) is build up by a distorted cubic closed packing of Te atoms with Ni atoms in one half of the tetrahedral holes. The Ni atoms form zigzag‐chains with short Ni–Ni bonds. The Pd atoms are located in the octahedral holes and are fivefold coordinated by Te atoms due to a strong shift off the centers. The structure of NiPdTe is related to the TiNiSi type due to a similar nickel substructure and to the Cu₂Sb type with respect to the fcc packing of the anions. Ni₂PdSe₂ (I4/mmm, a = 10.446(1), c = 5.751(1) Å, Z = 8) forms a new structure type with strongly distorted edge‐ and corner‐sharing NiSe₄ tetrahedra. The Pd atoms are either planar coordinated by four Se or located in the centers of face‐sharing Ni₈ cubes. The structure of Ni₂PdSe₂ merges metallic building blocks with structural fragments typical for polar compounds.     

A theoretical study of atomic oxygen chemisorption on the Ni(100) and Ni(111) surfaces

Atomic oxygen chemisorption has been studied for the fourfold hollow site of the Ni(100) surface and for the threefold hollow site of the Ni(111) surface. To model the Ni(100) surface, 10 different clusters in the range Ni₅ to Ni₄₁ were used, and for the Ni(111) surface, 11 different clusters in the range Ni₁₃ to Ni₄₃ were used. A detailed analysis of the orbital occupations of the cluster with and without oxygen for the different clusters shows that there are three different possible bonding mechanisms. In two of these, the basic feature is that a₁ electrons of the cluster are kicked out by the oxygen 2p_z orbital and moved to holes in the 2p_{x, y} orbitals. A picture where the oxygen electrons fit into the electronic structure of the cluster is emphasized. The third mechanism, which is applicable for only one cluster, can be described as the formation of two covalent bonds of E symmetry. The final best estimate of the oxygen chemisorption energy for the Ni(100) surface is about 130 kcal/mol, and for the Ni(111) surface, about 115 kcal/mol. In particular for the Ni(111) surface, an excited oxygen state with radical character is identified, which might be a catalytically important species. The excitation energy to reach this state should be on the order of 10 kcal/mol for the Ni(111) surface.     

Geometrical structures,electronic states,and stability of NinAl clusters

Density‐functional with generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for the exchange‐correlation potential has been used to calculate the energetically global‐minimum geometries and electronic states of Ni_nAl (n = 2–8) neutral clusters. Our calculations predict the existence of a number of previously unknown isomers. All structures may be derived from a substitution of a Ni atom at marginal positions by an Al atom in the Ni_n+1 cluster. Aluminum atom remains on the surface of the geometrical configurations. Moreover, these species prefer to adopt three‐dimensional (3D) spacial forms at the smaller number of nickel atoms compared with the pure Ni_n+1 (n ≥ 3) configuration. Atomization energies per atom for Ni_nAl (n = 2–8) have the same trend as the binding energies per atom for Ni_n (n = 3–9). The stabilization energies reveal that Ni₅Al is the relatively most stable in this series. In comparison with the magnetic moment of pure metal nickel (0.6 μ_B), the average magnetic moment of Ni atom increases in Ni Al clusters except the Ni₃Al. Moreover, except the case of Ni₅Al, Ni average magnetic moment decreases when alloyed with Al atoms than that in pure Ni clusters, which originate the effective charge transferring from Al to Ni atoms. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Massively parallel direct SCF calculations on large metal clusters: Ni5-Ni481

Summary The convergence of the cluster model with respect to excitation energies, ionization potentials and hydrogen chemisorption energy in the four-fold hollow site of the Ni(100) surface is studied for a sequence of cluster models from Ni₅ up to Ni₁₈₁. For the largest, Ni₄₈₁, cluster studied, only the structure of the occupied levels for one state is obtained. The concept of bond-preparation is found to be essential for the evaluation of chemisorption energies also for clusters with more than 100 atoms. The cluster excitation energies show a slow decrease such that even for Ni₁₈₁ the step between the lower excited states is still 0.1–0.2 eV. The effect ofp-functions on surrounding cluster atoms is found to be 3–4 kcal/mol independent of cluster-size. The direct SCF program DISCO was parallelized using the TCGMSG toolkit in order to perform the calculations. The easy strategy utilized is analysed and exhaustive timings on the Alliant Campus/800 MPP system with 200 CPU's are presented.     

Ni2Sn2Zn from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction

Dinickel ditin zinc, Ni₂Sn₂Zn, crystallizes in the cubic space group , with a lattice parameter of a = 8.845 (1) Å and with all atoms occupying special positions. The crystal structure exhibits pronounced similarities with that of the quaternary compound Ni_5.20Sn_8.7Zn_4.16Cu_1.04. It shares structural features with other compounds in the Ni–Sn–Zn system, such as Ni₅Sn₄Zn and Ni₃Sn₂.     

Reducing the Cost and Preserving the Reactivity in Noble‐Metal‐Based Catalysts: Oxidation of CO by Pt and Al–Pt Alloy Clusters Supported on Graphene

The oxidation mechanisms of CO to CO₂ on graphene‐supported Pt and Pt‐Al alloy clusters are elucidated by reactive dynamical simulations. The general mechanism evidenced is a Langmuir–Hinshelwood (LH) pathway in which O₂ is adsorbed on the cluster prior to the CO oxidation. The adsorbed O₂ dissociates into two atomic oxygen atoms thus promoting the CO oxidation. Auxiliary simulations on alloy clusters in which other metals (Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni) replace a Pt atom have pointed to the aluminum doped cluster as a special case. In the nanoalloy, the reaction mechanism for CO oxidation is still a LH pathway with an activation barrier sufficiently low to be overcome at room temperature, thus preserving the catalyst efficiency. This provides a generalizable strategy for the design of efficient, yet sustainable, Pt‐based catalysts at reduced cost.     

Synthese,Strukturen und X‐/Q‐Band‐EPR‐Untersuchungen von N,N‐Diethyl‐N′‐3,5‐di(trifluormethyl)benzoylthioureato‐Komplexen des CuII,NiII und PdII sowie EPR‐spektroskopische Charakterisierung eines CuII‐CuII‐Dimers

The synthesis and the structures of (i) the ligand N,N‐Diethyl‐N′‐3,5‐di(trifluoromethyl)benzoylthiourea HEt₂dtfmbtu and (ii) the Ni^II and Pd^II complexes of HEt₂dtfmbtu are reported. The ligand coordinates bidendate forming bis chelates. The Ni^II and the Pd^II complexes are isostructural. The also prepared Cu^II complex could not be characterized by X‐ray analysis. However, the preparation of diamagnetically diluted powders Cu/Ni(Et₂dtfmbtu)₂ and Cu/Pd(Et₂dtfmbtu)₂ suitable for EPR studies was successful. The EPR spectra of the Cu/Ni and Cu/Pd systems show noticeable differences for the symmetry of the CuS₂O₂ unit in both complexes: the Cu/Pd system is characterized by axially‐symmetric g< and A ^cu tensors; for the Cu/Ni system g and A ^Cu have rhombic symmetry. EPR studies on frozen solutions of the Cu^II complex show the presence of a Cu^II‐Cu^II dimer which is the first observed for Cu^II acylthioureato complexes up to now. The parameters of the fine structure tensor were used for the estimation of the Cu^II‐Cu^II distance.