Well-defined linear Au n (n = 2-4) chains encapsulated in SWCNTs: a DFT study.

One-dimensional (1D) gold nanostructures have been extensively studied due to their potential applications in nanoelectronic devices. Using first-principles calculations, composites consisting of a well-defined linear Au n (n = 2-4) chain encapsulated in a (9,0) single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) were studied. The translational energy barrier of a single Au atom in a (9,0) SWCNT was found to be 0.03 eV. This low barrier guaranteed the formation of Au n @ (9,0) SWCNT (n = 1-4) composites. Bond lengths, differential charge densities, and electronic band structures of the composites were studied. The average Au-Au bond lengths in the composites were found to be almost the same as those in the corresponding free-standing linear Au n . The average bond length increased as the number of Au atoms increased. Charge transfer in all of these composites was slight, although a few valence electrons were transferred from the (9,0) SWCNT and the Au chains to intercalations. The conductivities of the encapsulated linear Au n (n = 2-4) chains were enhanced to some extent by encapsulating them in the SWCNT.