Theoretical studies of the structures and properties of (Br2InN3) n (n = 1–6) clusters

Abstract

In an attempt to find single-source precursors, a series of small clusters of inorganic azides of indium (Br2InN3) n (n = 1–6) were studied using the dispersion correction density functional theory (wB97XD). The obtained (Br2InN3) n (n = 2–6) clusters have the core structures of 2n-membered ring with alternating indium and α-nitrogen atoms. The influences of cluster size (oligomerization degree n) on the structures, energies, IR spectra, and thermodynamic properties of clusters were discussed. The computed binding energies indicate the stability: 3A > 3B, 4B > 4C > 4A > 4D, 5E > 5D > 5B = 5C > 5A and 6I > 6C > 6D > 6G ≥ 6H > 6F > 6E > 6B > 6A. It is also found that (Br2InN3)2 and (Br2InN3)4 clusters possess higher stability than their neighbor sizes judged by the calculated second-order difference of energies (Δ2 E). Meanwhile, thermodynamic properties for (Br2InN3) n (n = 1–6) clusters increase with the increasing temperature and oligomerization degree n, and the oligomerizations are thermodynamically favorable at temperatures up to 800 K.