Geometric transition and electronic properties of titanium-doped aluminum clusters: Al(n)Ti (n = 2-24)

Equilibrium geometries of AlnTi (n = 2-24) clusters were studied using density-functional theory with generalized gradient approximation. The resulting geometries showed that the titanium atom remains on the surface of clusters for n < 20 but is endohedrally doped from n = 20. This structural transition confirms the previous experiment results obtained by studying their abilities for argon physisorption (Lang, S. M.; Claes, P.; Neukermans, S.; Janssens, E. J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom.2011, 22, 1508). The average bond lengths, coordination numbers, relative stabilities, electronic properties, and other relevant properties were discussed. It was found that the doped titanium atoms strengthen the stabilities of the pure aluminum clusters. The coordination numbers of titanium atoms along with the average Al-Ti bond lengths undergo dramatic increases during the structural transition. The intra-atomic hybridization exists in both Ti and Al atoms, and charge transfer from Al atoms to Ti atom were found in these complexes, which should reflect the strength of Al-Ti interactions. Electronic structure analysis based on the partial density of states reveals stronger Al-Ti interactions for the endohedrally doped structures.