Enhanced Zintl anions by carbon doping in Al-Na clusters and new magic structure Al6Na4C

This article investigated the low-energy structures of Al₆Na _mC (m = 2, 4, 6, 8) clusters and their electronic structures by using genetic algorithm combined with density functional theory and configuration interaction methods. The computations show that the C atoms prefer sitting at the center, whereas the Na atoms tend to locate at the outside of the clusters. The valence molecular orbitals (MOs) agree well with the prediction of the jellium model. The stronger attraction of the central carbon to the valence electrons will depress the potential energies locally, which makes the 2S level go obviously lower and the 2P and 1D orbitals form a sub-band. The 26 valence electrons in Al₆Na₄C form closed 1S²1P⁶2S²1D¹⁰2P⁶ shells and correspond to a new magic structure. The MOs and electron localization function show that the sodium cores are exposed at the outside of the valence electrons and form naked cations. The contraction of the valence electrons because of the carbon doping enhances the charges on the Al₆C moieties, and the Na⁺ cores on the peripheries are ionically bonded to the Zintl anions (Al₆C)^q−. The Al₆Na₄C has a tetrahedral structure with symmetry T_d, and it may be used as building blocks to synthesize Zintl solid.