1
|
Dong X, Miao LH, Liu YQ, Cui LJ, Feng W, Cui ZH. MB 16 - (M=Sc, Y, La): Perfect Bowl-Like Boron Clusters. Chemphyschem 2024; 25:e202300816. [PMID: 38563655 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202300816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The introduction of transition-metal doping has engendered a remarkable array of unprecedented boron motifs characterized by distinctive geometries and bonding, particularly those heretofore unobserved in pure boron clusters. In this study, we present a perfect (no defects) boron framework manifesting an inherently high-symmetry, bowl-like architecture, denoted as MB16 - (M=Sc, Y, La). In MB16 -, the B16 is coordinated to M atoms along the C5v-symmetry axis. The bowl-shaped MB16 - structure is predicted to be the lowest-energy structure with superior stability, owing to its concentric (2 π+10 π) dual π aromaticity. Notably, the C5v-symmetry bowl-like B16 - is profoundly stabilized through the doping of an M atom, facilitated by strong d-pπ interactions between M and boron motifs, in conjunction with additional electrostatic stabilization by an electron transfer from M to the boron motifs. This concerted interplay of covalent and electrostatic interactions between M and bowl-like B16 renders MB16 - a species of exceptional thermodynamic stability, thus making it a viable candidate for gas-phase experimental detection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Dong
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, China
| | - Lin-Hong Miao
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, China
| | - Yu-Qian Liu
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, China
| | - Li-Juan Cui
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, China
| | - Wei Feng
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, China
| | - Zhong-Hua Cui
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130023, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zuo J, Zhang L, Chen B, He K, Dai W, Ding K, Lu C. Geometric and electronic structures of medium-sized boron clusters doped with plutonium. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2023; 36:015302. [PMID: 37767896 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/acfc0c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Doping metal heteroatoms is an effective strategy to regulate the geometric and electronic structure of boron based nanoclusters. However, the exploration of the ground state structures of metal-boron-based nanoclusters is still a challenge duo to the complexity of the bonding interactions between heterogeneous atoms and boron cluster and the number of isomers on the potential energy surface increases exponentially with cluster size. Here, we use the CALYPSO cluster structural search method in combination with density functional theory calculations to study the geometries and electronic properties of anionic boron clusters doped with plutonium (PuBn-,n= 10-20). Our results show that the medium-sized PuB14-cluster exhibits excellent stability with highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy gap of 2.30 eV. The remarkable stability of the anionic PuB14-cluster is due to the robust interactions between the Pu metal and the B14skeleton, along with the strong covalent interactions between the B atoms. These findings enrich the geometric structure database of metal doped clusters and provide valuable insights for the future synthesis of boron based nanomaterials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingning Zuo
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Zhang
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Bole Chen
- School of Science, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaihua He
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Dai
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Jingchu University of Technology, Hubei 448000, People's Republic of China
| | - Kewei Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Fluorine and Nitrogen Chemicals, Xi'an 710065, People's Republic of China
- Xi'an Modern Chemistry Research Institute, Xi'an 710065, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Lu
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen B, He K, Dai W, Gutsev GL, Lu C. Geometric and electronic diversity of metal doped boron clusters. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2023; 35:183002. [PMID: 36827740 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/acbf18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Being intermediate between small compounds and bulk materials, nanoparticles possess unique properties different from those of atoms, molecules, and bulk matter. In the past two decades, a combination of cluster structure prediction algorithms and experimental spectroscopy techniques was successfully used for exploration of the ground-state structures of pure and metal-doped boron clusters. The fruitfulness of this dual approach is well illustrated by the discovery of intriguing microstructures and unique physicochemical properties such as aromaticity and bond fluxionality for both boron and metal-doped boron clusters. Our review starts with an overview of geometrical configurations of pure boron clusters Bn, which are presented by planar, nanotube, bilayer, fullerene-like and core-shell structures, in a wide range ofnvalues. We consider next recent advances in studies of boron clusters doped with metal atoms paying close and thoughtful attention to modifications of geometric and electronic structures of pure boron clusters by heteroatoms. Finally, we discuss the possibility of constructing boron-based nanomaterials with specific functions from metal-boron clusters. Despite a variety of fruitful results obtained in numerous studies of boron clusters, the exploration of boron-based chemistry has not yet reached its peak. The intensive research continues in this area, and it should be expected that it brings exciting discoveries of intriguing new structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bole Chen
- School of Science, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaihua He
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Dai
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Jingchu University of Technology, Hubei 448000, People's Republic of China
| | - Gennady L Gutsev
- Department of Physics, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, United States of America
| | - Cheng Lu
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Xiang Z, Luo Z, Bi J, Jin S, Zhang Z, Lu C. Structural evolution and relative stability of vanadium-doped boron clusters. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2022; 34:445302. [PMID: 35985306 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/ac8b4f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cluster is the intermediate of individual atom and larger agglomeration. The structural evolutions of clusters are critically important to explore the physical properties of bulk solids. Here, we carry out systematic structure predictions of medium-sized vanadium-doped boron clusters by using crystal structure analysis by particle swarm optimization method combined with density function theory calculations. A great deal of low-lying isomers with attractive geometries are discovered, such as the crown-like VB18-cluster and the drum-like VB20-cluster. Interestingly, the VB12-cluster possesses excellently relative stability due to its higher second-order difference and larger highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy gap. The molecular orbitals (MOs) and adaptive natural density partitioning (AdNDP) analysis indicate that the 3dorbitals of V atom and the 2pand 2sorbitals of B atoms are the primary constituents of the MOs, and the interactions between V and B atoms are the main factor for the robust stabilization of the anionic VB12-cluster. The present findings advance the understanding of the structural evolution of transition metal doped boron clusters and offer crucial insights for future experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyang Xiang
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongjie Luo
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Bi
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyu Jin
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziqiang Zhang
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Lu
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li C, Li H, Cui Y, Tian H, Shao Q, Zhang J, Zhao G, Ren B, Hu Y. A density functional investigation on the structures, electronic, spectral and fluxional properties of VB20- cluster. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.116764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
6
|
Dong X, Chen C, Cui ZH. Tuning structural preference of negatively charged B16 by ionically or covalently interacting with alkali and coinage metals. Chem Phys 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphys.2021.111315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
7
|
|
8
|
Exploration of Free Energy Surface and Thermal Effects on Relative Population and Infrared Spectrum of the Be 6B 11- Flux-Ional Cluster. MATERIALS 2020; 14:ma14010112. [PMID: 33383889 PMCID: PMC7796227 DOI: 10.3390/ma14010112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The starting point to understanding cluster properties is the putative global minimum and all the nearby local energy minima; however, locating them is computationally expensive and difficult. The relative populations and spectroscopic properties that are a function of temperature can be approximately computed by employing statistical thermodynamics. Here, we investigate entropy-driven isomers distribution on Be6B11− clusters and the effect of temperature on their infrared spectroscopy and relative populations. We identify the vibration modes possessed by the cluster that significantly contribute to the zero-point energy. A couple of steps are considered for computing the temperature-dependent relative population: First, using a genetic algorithm coupled to density functional theory, we performed an extensive and systematic exploration of the potential/free energy surface of Be6B11− clusters to locate the putative global minimum and elucidate the low-energy structures. Second, the relative populations’ temperature effects are determined by considering the thermodynamic properties and Boltzmann factors. The temperature-dependent relative populations show that the entropies and temperature are essential for determining the global minimum. We compute the temperature-dependent total infrared spectra employing the Boltzmann factor weighted sums of each isomer’s infrared spectrum and find that at finite temperature, the total infrared spectrum is composed of an admixture of infrared spectra that corresponds to the spectra of the lowest-energy structure and its isomers located at higher energies. The methodology and results describe the thermal effects in the relative population and the infrared spectra.
Collapse
|