Lowest-energy structures and electronic properties of Na-Si binary clusters from ab initio global search

Abstract

The ground state structures of neutral and anionic clusters of Na nSim (1 ≤ n ≤ 3, 1 ≤ m ≤ 11) have been determined using genetic algorithm incorporated in first principles total energy code. The size dependence of the structural and electronic properties is discussed in detail. It is found that the lowest-energy structures of Na nSim clusters resemble those of the pure Si clusters. Interestingly, Na atoms in neutral NanSim clusters are usually well separated by the Sim skeleton, whereas Na atoms can form Na-Na bonds in some anionic clusters. The ionization potentials, adiabatic electron affinities, and photoelectron spectra are also calculated and the results compare well with the experimental data. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.