Abstract The structure and binding energy of copper clusters of the size
range 70 to 150 were studied by using the embedded-atom method. The
stability of the structure of the clusters was studied by
calculating the average binding energy per atom, first difference
energy and second difference energy of copper cluster. Most of the
copper clusters of the size $n$=70--150 adopt an icosahedral
structure. The results show that the trends are in agreement with
theoretic prediction for copper clusters. The most stable structures
for copper clusters are found at $n$=77, 90, 95, 131, 139.
Received: 16 October 2007
Revised: 26 February 2008
Published: 08 September 2008
PACS:
61.46.Bc
(Structure of clusters (e.g., metcars; not fragments of crystals; free or loosely aggregated or loosely attached to a substrate))
Fund: Project supported
by the National Natural Science Foundation of
China (Grant No 10375028).
Cite this article:
Pan Xiao-Dong, Gai Zhi-Gang, Gong-Ping Energy and structure of copper clusters (n=70--150) studied by the Monte Carlo computer
simulation 2008 Chin. Phys. B 17 3329
