Interdependence of structure and chemical order in high symmetry (PdAu) nanoclusters

A.J. Logsdail, R.L. Johnston

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16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this work we study the stabilities of high-symmetry Au , Pd and (AuPd) clusters, for N <1500, using mathematical constructs, a semi-empirical potential with two different parameter sets, and a quasi-Newtonian minimisation technique. For Pd clusters, both parameter sets tested result in preferences for icosahedral (Ih) structures for N <1000 over other high-symmetry 12-vertex geometries; for Au clusters we find a tendency towards face-centred cubic (FCC) structures at values of N lower than seen for Pd : parameter set I of Cleri and Rosato [Cleri and Rosato, Phys. Rev. B, 1993, 48, 22] gave a transition at N ≈ 650 to the I-Dh, whilst for parameter set II of Baletto et al. [Baletto et al., J. Chem. Phys., 2002, 116, 3856] this value was lower still. For (AuPd) clusters we found that the preferred arrangement is (Pd Au ) , with thin (monolayer) surface coverings of Au being most energetically favourable compared to the homogeneous clusters; however for parameter set II multiple layers of Au lead to energetic instability. (Au Pd ) clusters are not energetically favourable with thin coatings of Pd, however as the shell coating thickens so the stability improves. Ih structures are unfavourable compared to the Ino-decahedron and cuboctahedron for (Au Pd ) , whereas the FCC-type structures are strongly preferred for (Pd Au ) . Overall, the strong tendency towards core-shell segregation is emphasised for parameter set I more than II, agreeing with previous work on smaller (AuPd) clusters.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5863-5869
Number of pages7
JournalRSC Advances
Volume2
Issue number13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Jul 2012

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