Abstract

Planarity is a special property of superatoms, different from atoms. In this work, we predicted a series of nearly planar structures, An@Au6 (An = Ac-1, Th, Pa+1) clusters, using density functional theory (DFT). Calculations of these actinide embedded clusters reveal a 10-electron (1s21p41d4) closed-shell singlet configuration. It is found that all An@Au6 clusters are nearly or purely planar structures with only in-plane two-dimensional occupied superatomic molecular orbitals (SAMOs). In addition, applying them as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates, the charge-transfer (CT) states at 677 nm (1dmetal-π1*pyridine) can lead to a SERS signal enhancement of 104 for a pyridine-Th@Au6 complex. Our research indicates that actinide embedded nearly planar superatomic clusters have unique optical properties and potential application value.

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