A comparative study on the Ge6C14 heterofullerene nanocages: a density functional survey

Ten C₁₄Ge₆ heterofullerene isomers of C₂₀ have been investigated by density functional theory (DFT) methods with Becke 3‐Parameter (Exchange), Lee, Yang and Parr (B3LYP) functional at the 6‐311 + G*, 6‐311++G** and AUG‐cc‐pVTZ levels. In contrast to identical bonds in the latter, contractions of C═C double bonds are encountered at the expense of longer C―Ge bonds in the former. Vibrational frequency analysis confirms that all of the nanocages are true minima. In contrast to the common belief, for obtaining highly silicon‐doped stable heterofullerenes, that the silicon dopants must be completely isolated from each other by means of strong C═C double bonds. Here, linking the germanium substitutions together is an applicable strategy for obtaining highly doped stable isolated heterofullerenes since it avoids weak heteroatom─heteroatom bonds. Therefore, none of the computed heterofullerenes collapses to open, to deform, or to segregate fullerenic cages. As to band gaps (ΔE_HOMO‐LUMO), and nucleus‐independent chemical shifts at cage centers (NICS (0)), C₁₄Ge₆‐2 immerges with the highest value. Hence, it is predicted to be the most stable against electronic excitation. It contains 2 Ge─Ge single bonds at the cap‐equatorial positions. On the other hand, as to zero‐point vibrational energy and heat of atomization (ΔH_at), C₁₄Ge₆‐8 appears with the lowest and highest value, respectively. It contains 6 alternating germanium atoms in the equatorial and cap positions. Thus, it is predicted to be the most thermodynamically stable. So, germanium substitution leads to a high charge distribution on the surfaces of all the isomers specially C₁₄Ge₆‐9 with +1.496 charged germanum atoms. C₁₄Ge₆ isomers seem to be a good candidate for the hydrogen storage material.