Scaling up the shape: A novel growth pattern of gallium clusters
- Department of Physics, University of Pune, Pune 411007 (India)
- Physical and Materials Chemistry Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411008 (India)
Putative global minima for Ga{sub N}{sup +} clusters with size “N” ranging from 49 to 70 are found by employing the Kohn-Sham formulation of the density functional theory, and their evolution is described and discussed in detail. We have discovered a unique growth pattern in these clusters, all of which are hollow core-shell structures. They evolve with size from one spherical core-shell to the next spherical core-shell structure mediated by prolate geometries, with an increase in overall diameter of the core, as well as the shell, without putting on new layers of atoms. We also present a complete picture of bonding in gallium clusters by critically analyzing the molecular orbitals, the electron localization function, and Bader charges. Bonding in these clusters is a mixture of metallic and covalent type that leans towards covalency, accompanied by marginal charge transfer from the surface to the core. Most molecular orbitals of Ga clusters are non-jellium type. Covalency of bonding is supported by a wide localization window of electron localization function, and joining of its basins along the bonds.
- OSTI ID:
- 22419996
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 141, Issue 5; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-9606
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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