Structural Evolution of Anionic Silicon Clusters SiN (20≤N≤45)
Results of a combined photoelectron spectroscopy and first-principles density-functional study of SiN - clusters in the size range 20 e N e 45 are reported and discussed. Evidence for a prolate-to-near-spherical shape transition at N 27 is presented. It is shown that the tricapped-trigonal-prism (TTP) structural motif Si9 found in most low-lying clusters SiN -, 9 e N e 19, is replaced or augmented by a series of structural motifs consisting of a bulklike ?adamantane? fragment plus a magic-number cluster (Si6, Si7, Si10) or TTP Si9 in low-lying prolate clusters SiN -, N g 20. For 28 e N e 45, almost all low-lying near-spherical clusters SiN -adopt ?stuffed-cage?-like structures where the cages are homologous to carbon fullerenes in the sense that they are composed of only five- and six-membered rings. However the arrangement of the ?stuffing? atoms is not yet diamondlike.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 877556
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-48670; JPCAFH; 6698; KC0301020; TRN: US200608%%417
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Physical Chemistry A: Molecules, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Environment, amp General Theory, Vol. 110, Issue 3; ISSN 1089-5639
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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