First Principle Investigation of Structural Properties of Potassium Doped Fullerene Clusters – Kn(C60)2

Abstract

First principle simulations for the nanosystems Kn(C60)2, (n = 1, 2) composed of two fullerene (C60) molecules and one or two potassium (K) atoms have been undertaken. A very effective delocalization of the 4s1 valence electron of potassium was observed, the potassium atom in practice becomes an ion. The adsorption binding energy of potassium atom(s) is Ea = - 1.923 ± 0.04 eV, - 3.819 ± 0.04 eV for K(C60)2 and K2(C60)2, respectively. The reported large values of adsorption energy should cause a significant change in electronic properties of alkali doped fullerene clusters.