Document Type

Article

Original Publication Date

2010

Journal/Book/Conference Title

The Journal of Chemical Physics

Volume

132

Issue

19

DOI of Original Publication

10.1063/1.3427293

Comments

Originally published at https://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3427293

Date of Submission

October 2015

Abstract

Using the density functional theory and generalized gradient approximation for exchange and correlation potential, we have performed an extensive search to obtain the ground stategeometries of both neutral and anionic Au16 cluster by considering over 200 low lying isomers. For the neutral Au16 cluster we found a new Td compact structure to be the lowest energy configuration, which is nearly degenerate in total energy with the previously reported Cs and C2v noncage structures. While the Au16− cluster, in agreement with previous calculations, is found to have a Td hollow cage structure, an isomer with a planar structure is found to be lower in energy. The photoelectron spectra from all the nine lowest energy isomers are calculated and compared with experiment to determine the possibility of their existence. Molecular dynamics simulations on both neutral and anionic Au16 clusters are carried out to provide further insight into the origin and stability of these structures. Our comprehensive study allows us to answer the following questions: (1) Why are the adiabatic and vertical detachment energies of Au16 cluster nearly identical when the lowest energy structures of the anion and the neutral are so very different? (2) How is Au16− formed? Is it born neutral and the extra electron attaches afterwards or is it born anionic and the structure evolves during the electron attachment process?

Rights

Chen, G., Wang, Q., Sun, Q., et al. Structures of neutral and anionic Au16 clusters revisited. The Journal of Chemical Physics 132, 194306 (2010). Copyright © 2010 AIP Publishing LLC.

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