Structural Properties of (CeO2)n (n = 1–5) Nanoparticle: Molecular Mechanics and First Principle Studies

The stability and unexpected chemistry of oxide clusters

The stability of Fe_mO_n clusters is determined by second energy differences.

Quantum chemical studies on CdO nanoclusters stability

The present work aims at understanding the structural stability of Cadmium oxide (CdO) nano-particles of different sizes due to its potential application in the field of optoelectronics and gas sensing. The stable structures of the (CdO)(n) (n=1-8) have been fully optimized with Gaussian 03W program package at B3LYP/6-31G level, and it is found that, for n=1-5, the ring structures is more stable, and for n>5, the three-dimensional structures is more stable than the ring structure. But the stable ring geometries for n>9 are found to be difficult, because the ring structures become more complicated. The present calculation also shows that, with the growth of the clusters, 3D structures are more favorable in energy, and the Cd and O atom tend to adopt higher coordination numbers. Moreover, the simulated IR spectra help to distinguish the ring structures from the cubic or hexagonal packing structures.

Advances in computational studies of energy materials

We review recent developments and applications of computational modelling techniques in the field of materials for energy technologies including hydrogen production and storage, energy storage and conversion, and light absorption and emission. In addition, we present new work on an Sn2TiO4 photocatalyst containing an Sn(II) lone pair, new interatomic potential models for SrTiO3 and GaN, an exploration of defects in the kesterite/stannite-structured solar cell absorber Cu2ZnSnS4, and report details of the incorporation of hydrogen into Ag2O and Cu2O. Special attention is paid to the modelling of nanostructured systems, including ceria (CeO2, mixed Ce(x)O(y) and Ce2O3) and group 13 sesquioxides. We consider applications based on both interatomic potential and electronic structure methodologies; and we illustrate the increasingly quantitative and predictive nature of modelling in this field.