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Saha P, Buendía F, Van Duong L, Nguyen MT. A topological path to the formation of a quasi-planar B 70 boron cluster and its dianion. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:15369-15375. [PMID: 37190794 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp05452c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In view of the competing assignments regarding the most stable isomer of the B70 boron cluster including the quasi-planar and bilayer structures, we reinvestigated the structural motifs of B70 using a genetic algorithm for structure search (MEGA) in conjunction with density functional theory computations using the PBE functional. The quasi-planar structure was also constructed using the topological leapfrog algorithm. The latter search aimed to give us unique insight into its formation and the growth pattern of boron clusters. Also, the di-anionic state of B70 was explored. Our extensive search suggested a competition between the quasi-planar, tubular and bilayer isomers for the ground state of B70 in both neutral and dianionic states. While the bilayer form is more stable in the neutral state, the quasi-planar counterpart becomes more stable in the dianionic B702-. The stability arises due to the fact that the B702- dianion possesses 50 π electrons that satisfy the disk aromaticity model rule. These results tend to extend the stabilization of the quasi-planar structure upon negative charge addition previously found in small size boron clusters to larger sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinaki Saha
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fernando Buendía
- Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510 Cd. de México, Mexico
| | - Long Van Duong
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Quy Nhon University, Quy Nhon City, Vietnam
| | - Minh Tho Nguyen
- Laboratory for Chemical Computation and Modeling, Institute for Computational Science and Artificial Intelligence, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- Faculty of Applied Technology, School of Technology, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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2
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Chen J, Liao R, Sai L, Zhao J, Wu X. B 63: The Most Stable Bilayer Structure with Dual Aromaticity. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:4167-4174. [PMID: 38597579 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c00566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of a bilayer B48 cluster, which has been both theoretically predicted and experimentally observed, as well as the recent experimental synthesis of bilayer borophene sheets on Ag and Cu surfaces, has generated tremendous curiosity in the bilayer structures of boron clusters. However, the connection between bilayer boron cluster and bilayer borophene remains unknown. By combining a genetic algorithm and density functional theory calculations, a global search for the low-energy structures of the B63 cluster was conducted, revealing that the Cs bilayer structure with three interlayer B-B bonds is the most stable bilayer structure. This structure was further examined in terms of its structural stability, chemical bonding, and aromaticity. Interestingly, the interlayer bonds induce strong electronegativity and robust aromaticity. Furthermore, the dual aromaticity stems from diatropic currents originating from virtual translational transitions for both σ and π electrons. This unprecedent bilayer boron cluster is anticipated to enrich the concept of dual aromaticity and serve as a potential precursor for bilayer borophene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhuang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science & Technology and Key Laboratory for Microstructural Material Physics of Hebei Province, School of Science, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
| | - Rui Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science & Technology and Key Laboratory for Microstructural Material Physics of Hebei Province, School of Science, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
| | - Linwei Sai
- School of Science, Hohai University, Changzhou 213022, China
| | - Jijun Zhao
- Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Structure and Fundamental Interactions of Matter, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, School of Physics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xue Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science & Technology and Key Laboratory for Microstructural Material Physics of Hebei Province, School of Science, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
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3
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Saha P, Nguyen MT. Electron density mapping of boron clusters via convolutional neural networks to augment structure prediction algorithms. RSC Adv 2023; 13:30743-30752. [PMID: 37869387 PMCID: PMC10586239 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra05851d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Determination and prediction of atomic cluster structures is an important endeavor in the field of nanoclusters and thereby in materials research. To a large extent the fundamental properties of a nanocluster are mainly governed by its molecular structure. Traditionally, structure elucidation is achieved using quantum mechanics (QM) based calculations that are usually tedious and time consuming for large nanoclusters. Various structural prediction algorithms have been reported in the literature (CALYPSO, USPEX). Although they tend to accelerate the structure exploration, they still require the aid of QM based calculations for structure evaluation. This makes the structure prediction process quite a computationally expensive affair. In this paper, we report on the creation of a convolutional neural network model, which can give relatively accurate energies for the ground state of nanoclusters from the promolecule density on the fly and could thereby be utilized for aiding structure prediction algorithms. We tested our model on dataset consisting of pure boron nanoclusters of varying sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinaki Saha
- School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science, University of Hertfordshire UK
| | - Minh Tho Nguyen
- Laboratory for Chemical Computation and Modelling, Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Van Lang University Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
- Faculty of Applied Technology, School of Technology, Van Lang University Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
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4
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Yan QQ, Zhao X, Zhang T, Li SD. Perfect Core-Shell Octahedral B@B 38 + , Be@B 38 , and Zn@B 38 with an Octa-Coordinate Center as Superatoms Following the Octet Rule. Chemphyschem 2023; 24:e202200947. [PMID: 36715013 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202200947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Planar, tubular, cage-like, and bilayer boron clusters Bn +/0/- (n=3∼48) have been observed in joint experimental and theoretical investigations in the past two decades. Based on extensive global searches augmented with first-principles theory calculations, we predict herein the smallest perfect core-shell octahedral borospherene Oh B@B38 + (1) and its endohedral metallo-borospherene analogs Oh Be@B38 (2), and Oh Zn@B38 (3) which, with an octa-coordinate B, Be or Zn atom located exactly at the center, turn out to be the well-defined global minima of the systems highly stable both thermodynamically and dynamically. B@B38 + (1) represents the first boron-containing molecule reported to date which contains an octa-coordinate B center covalently coordinated by eight face-capping boron atoms at the corners of a perfect cube in the first coordination sphere. Detailed natural bonding orbital (NBO) and adaptive natural density partitioning (AdNDP) bonding analyses indicate that these high-symmetry core-shell complexes X@B38 +/0/- (X=B, Be, Zn) as super-noble gas atoms follow the octet rule in coordination bonding patterns (1S2 1P6 ), with one delocalized 9c-2e S-type coordination bond and three delocalized 39c-2e P-type coordination bonds formed between the octa-coordinate X center and its octahedral Oh B38 ligand to effectively stabilize the systems. Their IR, Raman, and UV-Vis spectra are computationally simulated to facilitate their spectroscopic characterizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao-Qiao Yan
- Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, 030006, Taiyuan, China
| | - XiaoYun Zhao
- Department ofApplied Chemistry, Yuncheng University, 044000, Yuncheng, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, 030006, Taiyuan, China
| | - Si-Dian Li
- Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, 030006, Taiyuan, China
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Sai L, Wu X, Li F, Zhao J. Unprecedented Prediction of a B 160 Cluster Stuffed by Dual-Icosahedron B 12. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:42545-42549. [PMID: 36440138 PMCID: PMC9686204 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c05918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Serving as the premise to understand bulk allotropes, boron clusters have been intriguing experimentalists and theoreticians to study their geometries and chemical bonding. Here, we designed a complete core-shell B160 cluster stuffed by two B12 cores, which is energetically preferable over the bilayer structure of the same size. The unprecedented peanutlike structure with Ci symmetry has superior stability and exhibits superatomic electronic configuration and spherical aromaticity. Our theoretical work not only proposed the core-shell structure of dual icosahedrons for the first time but also indicated the multi-B12 core-shell structural pattern in boron particles, bridging to boron crystalline structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linwei Sai
- School
of Science, Hohai University, Changzhou 213022, China
| | - Xue Wu
- State
Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology and
Key Laboratory for Microstructural Material Physics of Hebei Province,
School of Science, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
| | - Fengyu Li
- School
of Physical Science and Technology, Inner
Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Jingxiang Zhao
- College
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Photonic
and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
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Sai L, Wu X, Li F. B 96: a complete core-shell structure with high symmetry. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:15687-15690. [PMID: 35661179 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp01865a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
A complete core-shell and highly symmetric B96 was designed. The core-shell B96 of Th symmetry is energetically favorable compared to the bilayer motif and the core-shell structure can be well maintained during first-principles molecular dynamics simulations at high temperatures (up to 1000 K). Moreover, it exhibits a superatomic electronic configuration and spherical aromaticity. Our theoretical work not only confirmed that the core-shell structural pattern is more energetically favorable for large-sized boron clusters, but also provided a strategy to design large boron clusters with a core-shell structure of high symmetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linwei Sai
- School of Science, Hohai University, Changzhou 213022, China.,Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Xue Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology and Key Laboratory for Microstructural Material Physics of Hebei Province, School of Science, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
| | - Fengyu Li
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China.
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Relative Stability of Boron Planar Clusters in Diatomic Molecular Model. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27051469. [PMID: 35268570 PMCID: PMC8911741 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27051469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the recently introduced phenomenological diatomic molecular model imagining the clusters as certain constructions of pair interatomic chemical bonds, there are estimated specific (per atom) binding energies of small all-boron planar clusters Bn, n = 1–15, in neutral single-anionic and single-cationic charge states. The theoretically obtained hierarchy of their relative stability/formation probability correlates not only with results of previous calculations, but also with available experimental mass-spectra of boron planar clusters generated in process of evaporation/ablation of boron-rich materials. Some overestimation in binding energies that are characteristic of the diatomic approach could be related to differences in approximations made during previous calculations, as well as measurement errors of these energies. According to the diatomic molecular model, equilibrium binding energies per B atom and B–B bond lengths are expected within ranges 0.37–6.26 eV and 1.58–1.65 Å, respectively.
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Buendia Zamudio F, Pham HT, Barquera-Lozada JE, Beltran MR, Nguyen MT. Formation of the quasi-planar B 56 boron cluster: topological path from B 12 and disk aromaticity. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:21822-21832. [DOI: 10.1039/d2cp02571j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Formation and stability of the B56 boron cluster were investigated using a topological approach and the disk aromaticity model. An extensive global energy minimum search for the B56 system which...
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10
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Chen WJ, Ma YY, Chen TT, Ao MZ, Yuan DF, Chen Q, Tian XX, Mu YW, Li SD, Wang LS. B 48-: a bilayer boron cluster. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:3868-3876. [PMID: 33566053 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr09214b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Size-selected negatively-charged boron clusters (Bn-) have been found to be planar or quasi-planar in a wide size range. Even though cage structures emerged as the global minimum at B39-, the global minimum of B40- was in fact planar. Only in the neutral form did the B40 borospherene become the global minimum. How the structures of larger boron clusters evolve is of immense interest. Here we report the observation of a bilayer B48- cluster using photoelectron spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. The photoelectron spectra of B48- exhibit two well-resolved features at low binding energies, which are used as electronic signatures to compare with theoretical calculations. Global minimum searches and theoretical calculations indicate that both the B48- anion and the B48 neutral possess a bilayer-type structure with D2h symmetry. The simulated spectrum of the D2h B48- agrees well with the experimental spectral features, confirming the bilayer global minimum structure. The bilayer B48-/0 clusters are found to be highly stable with strong interlayer covalent bonding, revealing a new structural type for size-selected boron clusters. The current study shows the structural diversity of boron nanoclusters and provides experimental evidence for the viability of bilayer borophenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Jia Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
| | - Yuan-Yuan Ma
- Nanocluster Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China. and Fenyang College of Shanxi Medical University, Fenyang 032200, China
| | - Teng-Teng Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
| | - Mei-Zhen Ao
- Nanocluster Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China. and Fenyang College of Shanxi Medical University, Fenyang 032200, China
| | - Dao-Fu Yuan
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
| | - Qiang Chen
- Nanocluster Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
| | - Xin-Xin Tian
- Nanocluster Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
| | - Yue-Wen Mu
- Nanocluster Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
| | - Si-Dian Li
- Nanocluster Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
| | - Lai-Sheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
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11
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Wang Z, Du Q, Park SJ. TM 4B 180/− (TM = Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os): new structure construction with TM doped B wheel units. RSC Adv 2021; 11:18605-18611. [PMID: 35480935 PMCID: PMC9033464 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra02525b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The lowest energy structure of Ta4B18 shows a conflicting aromaticity and is assembled from four planar molecular Ta@B9 units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser
- Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology)
- Ministry of Education
- Dalian 116024
- China
| | - Qiuying Du
- Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser
- Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology)
- Ministry of Education
- Dalian 116024
- China
| | - Sung Jin Park
- Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser
- Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology)
- Ministry of Education
- Dalian 116024
- China
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12
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Đorđević S, Radenković S. Singlet and triplet states of the sandwich-type Be 2B 6 and Be 2B 7+ clusters. A test for the electron counting rules of aromaticity. NEW J CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/d0nj04643d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The studied complexes exhibit double aromaticity in their triplet states in line with the predictions of Hückel and Baird's rules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slađana Đorđević
- University of Kragujevac
- Faculty of Science
- 34000 Kragujevac
- Serbia
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