M atom (M = Cu, Ag and Au) interaction with Ag and Au substrates: a first-principles study using cluster and slab models

Using state-of-the-art first-principles calculations we report the interaction of M atoms (M = Cu, Ag and Au) with small Ag(n), Au(n) clusters (n = 3 and 6) and periodic Ag(111) and Au(111) surfaces. All calculations were performed using the plane wave pseudo-potential approach under the spin polarized version of the generalized gradient approximation scheme. The result shows that the equilibrium geometry of all MAg(3) and MAu(3) clusters favor a planar rhombus structure. From the charge distribution analysis of MAg(n)/MAu(n) clusters it is found that, while Cu and Ag donates electronic charge towards the host clusters, the Au atom acts as an acceptor, thus creating charge polarization in the system. The difference in orbital decomposed charges before and after the M interaction reveals that enhanced s-d hybridization is responsible for keeping the MAu(6) cluster planar, and increased p-orbital participation induces three-dimensional configurations in MAg(6) clusters. The optimization of M atom deposition on the Ag(111) and Au(111) surfaces shows that M atoms prefer to adsorb on the threefold fcc site over other well-defined sites. From the orbital decomposed charge analysis it is inferred that, although there is significant difference in the absolute magnitude of the interaction energy between M atoms and the Ag or Au substrates, the nature of chemical bonding is similar for the finite size clusters as well as in slab models.

Enhanced magnetic moment in Fe-doped Pd(n) clusters (n = 1-13): a density functional study

Here we report a systematic theoretical study of the equilibrium structures, electronic and magnetic properties of FePd(n-1) clusters with n = 1-13, within the framework of density functional theory. The results show that the doping of a single Fe impurity enhances the binding energies as well as the magnetic moment of the Pd(n) clusters. Interestingly, in the mid-size region (n = 5-7), Fe substitution in Pd(n) clusters results in a three fold enhancement in the magnetic moment. We find that the geometries of the host clusters do not change significantly after the addition of an Fe atom, except for n = 6, 7, 11, 12. In the lowest energy configurations, the Fe atom tries to increase its coordination number by moving from the convex to the interior site as the number of Pd atoms varies from 2 to 12.

The geometric, electronic, and magnetic properties of Ag5X+ (X=Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni) clusters

Density functional theory calculations are performed on small cationic transition metal doped silver clusters, Ag5X+ (X = Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni) using the B3LYP and BP86 functionals. Several two-dimensional and three-dimensional isomers with the dopant at a high coordinated site are found to be close in energy. The relative energy of the isomers is checked with CCSD(T). The interaction between the dopant 3d electrons and the host is discussed by considering the density of states and the shape of the molecular orbitals. A large local spin magnetic moment on the dopant atom is predicted.

Magnetic properties in transition-metal-doped gold clusters: M@Au6 (M = Ti, V, Cr)

The electronic structure and magnetic properties in a series of transition-metal-doped Au clusters, MAu6- (M = Ti, V, Cr), are investigated experimentally using photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and density functional calculations. PES features due to the impurity atoms and the host are clearly observed. It is found that all the MAu6- and MAu6 clusters possess a planar structure, in which the transition metal atom is located in the center of an Au6 ring and carries large magnetic moments (2, 3, and 4 muB for MAu6, M = Ti, V, and Cr, respectively).

Quenching of the magnetic moment of a transition metal dopant in silver clusters

Single magnetic atoms embedded in a nonmagnetic host exhibit the Kondo effect in the bulk limit, while in very small molecules the magnetic atom is hardly affected by the matrix. In a combined theoretical (density functional theory) and experimental (photofragmentation and mass spectrometry) study we consider the intermediate case of nanometer sized transition-metal-doped silver clusters. In particular, we provide experimental evidence for enhanced stability of the cobalt-doped silver cluster Ag10Co+ and show theoretically that it has a symmetric endohedral geometry with a closed 18-electron singlet electronic shell structure. This implies that the magnetic moment on the cobalt atom is quenched.