Abstract
Assembly is an effective way to realize the functionalization potential of boron-based superatoms. Here we study the interaction between typical boron-based B40 superatoms using the density functional theory. Our results reveal that different oligomers constructed by modulating the arrangement of two B40 superatoms still retain some of the superatomic properties associated with their monomeric form despite possessing different electronic structures. While the inner shell superatomic orbitals maintain their electronic localization, the valence shell superatomic orbitals cannot maintain their original shape due to bonding and antibonding hybridization. Furthermore, the decreasing of band gap means that the B40 oligomers could achieve a transformation from insulators to semiconductors. The decreased band gap is possibly due to the disappearance of the superatomic orbitals with the principal quantum number of two. Our findings highlight that superatom–superatom interactions could induce synergy effects that differ from their monomers. Therefore, this research will aid in the development of new materials and devices that are constructed from superatoms.
摘要
硼基超原子通向功能材料的一个途径是组装. 我们通过密度泛函理论研究了典型的硼基超原子B40之间的相互作用. 结果显示, 在不 同的低聚物中两个B40之间不同的朝向方式会导致电子结构改变, 但它们都部分保持了超原子性质. 这是因为单体中靠内壳层的超原子轨 道仍保持其在超原子中的电子局域性, 而价壳层的超原子轨道由于超原子间成键或反键杂化而不能保持孤立超原子的轨道形状. 在部分 保持超原子性质的情况下, B40超原子的组装可以相应实现从绝缘体到半导体的转变. 带隙的减小是由“主量子数”为2的超原子轨道杂化成 键导致的. 我们的发现凸显了超原子间相互作用, 会带来不同于单体的协同效应. 因此, 这一研究将有助于新型材料和器件的发展, 尤其在 以超原子为功能单元的组装材料研究方面将发挥积极作用.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11674123 and 11374004). Wang Z also acknowledges the High Performance Computing Center of Jilin University.
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Author contributions Wang Z proposed the project; Wang J calculated and analyzed the results. All authors contributed to the general discussion.
Conflict of interest The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Jia Wang is an PhD candidate in prof. Zhigang Wang’s group at the Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University. Her current research focuses on the spin polarization effect of p electrons.
Zhigang Wang received his BSc degree from the College of Physics, Jilin University in 2001 and his PhD degree from the Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University in 2006, under the supervision of Prof. Shoufu Pan. He joined the Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University in 2011 as a full professor. His research interests focus on the intermolecular interactions of nanomaterials.
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Wang, J., Jiang, W., Xie, W. et al. Superatom-assembly induced transition from insulator to semiconductor: A theoretical study. Sci. China Mater. 62, 416–422 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-018-9329-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-018-9329-8