Understanding the thermal stability of a 3d, 4d, and 5d element doped aluminium nanocluster through BOMD simulations

TitleUnderstanding the thermal stability of a 3d, 4d, and 5d element doped aluminium nanocluster through BOMD simulations
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2023
AuthorsSamudre, NS, Singh, CPratap, Krishnamurty, S
JournalMolecular Simulation
Volume49
Issue3
Pagination245-250
Date PublishedFEB
Type of ArticleArticle
ISSN0892-7022
KeywordsAl-13 atomic cluster, BOMD simulations, DFT, Endohedral doping, super atom
Abstract

Endohedrally doped atomic clusters have generated considerable interest among computational chemists on account of their tunable chemical properties that mimic a super atom. Such endohedrally doped clusters have also been experimentally realised in the more recent past. The present work explores the practical existence of 3d, 4d and 5d doped aluminium clusters, more specifically doped Al13 cluster, by evaluating systematically their structural stability through the first principle molecular dynamical simulations. Born-Oppenheimer Molecular Dynamics (BOMD) simulations have been carried out on Al12X atomic clusters where X = Ti, V, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Mo, Ru, Rh and W are in endohedral position. The thermal stability of such endohedrally doped clusters is quantified through parameters such as delta(rms), MSD and is an element of(pro). Electronic structure calculations reveal that endohedral doping of only Rh, Cu and Zn is preferred in the Al-13 cluster. Other dopants prefer to remain on the surface positions. However, finite temperature calculations reveal that the Al12Zn cluster undergoes surface modifications from 300K leading to a distorted icosahedral structure. Al12Cu cluster in quartet spin state is the only thermally stable cluster with Cu remaining in the endohedral position and structure retaining icosahedral confirmation till 700K.

DOI10.1080/08927022.2022.2153151
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)

Foreign

Impact Factor (IF)

2.346

Divison category: 
Physical and Materials Chemistry
Database: 
Web of Science (WoS)

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