Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Vol.113, No.51, 14022-14028, 2009
Structural, Electronic, and Magnetic Properties of Gold Cluster Anions Doped with Zinc: AunZn- (2 <= n <= 10)
The geometrical structures, relative stabilities, electronic, and magnetic properties of zinc-doped gold cluster anions AunZn- (2 <= n <= 10) have been systematically investigated by means of first-principles density functional calculations at the B3LYP level. The results show that the most stable isomers have a planar structure and resemble pure gold cluster anions in shape, and no 3D isomers were obtained. Calculated dissociation energy, the second difference energy, and the highest occupied-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gaps as a function of the cluster size exhibit a pronounced even-odd alternation phenomenon, The first vertical detachment energy of the anion clusters were calculated and compared with available experimental results. A good agreement between experimental and theoretical results suggests good prediction of the lowest-energy structures for all Clusters calculated in the present study. Furthermore, both the local and total magnetic moments display a pronounced odd-even oscillation with the number of gold atoms.