Computational Characterisation Of Gold Nanocluster Structures

Computational Characterisation of Gold Nanocluster Structures

In this thesis, Andrew Logsdail demonstrates that computational chemistry is a powerful tool in contemporary nanoscience, complementing experimental observations and helping guide future experiments. The aim of this particular PhD is to further our understanding of structural and compositional preferences in gold nanoparticles, as well as the compositional and chemical ordering preferences in bimetallic nanoalloys formed with other noble metals, such as palladium and platinum. Highlights include: calculations of the structural preferences and optical-response of gold nanoparticles and gold-containing nanoalloys; the design and implementation of novel numerical algorithms for the structural characterisation of gold nanoparticles from electron microscopy images; and electronic structure calculations investigating the interaction of gold nanoparticles with graphene and graphite substrates.The results presented here have significant implications for future research on the chemical and physical properties of gold-based nanoparticles and are of interest to many researchers working on experimental and theoretical aspects of nanoscience.

Computational Characterisation of Gold Nanocluster Structures

Structure and Properties of Atomic Nanoclusters

Atomic clusters are aggregates of atoms containing a few to several thousand atoms. Due to the small size of these pieces of matter, the properties of atomic clusters in general are different from those of the corresponding material in the macroscopic bulk phase. This monograph presents the main developments of atomic clusters and the current status of the field. The book treats different types of clusters with very different properties: clusters in which the atoms or molecules are tied by weak van der Waals interactions, metallic clusters, clusters of ionic materials, and network clusters made of typical covalent elements. It includes methods of experimental cluster synthesis as well as the structural, electronic, thermodynamic and magnetic properties of clusters, covering both experiments and the theoretical work that has led to our present understanding of the different properties of clusters. The question of assembling nanoclusters to form solids with new properties is also considered. Having an adequate knowledge of the properties of clusters can be of great help to any scientist working with objects of nanometric size. On the other hand, nanoclusters are themselves potentially important in fields like catalysis and nanomedicine.