Electronic structures of gold nanowires

The electronic properties of the 7-1 structure of a gold nanowire, which is the simplest structure among possible helical multi-shell nanowires, are examined. Density of states (DOS) and crystal orbital overlap population (COOP) analyzes at the extended Huckel level of theory show that the contribution of the inner gold-atom row to the electric conduction and structural strength is small. The outer tube is responsible for both the structural stability and the electric conduction. The gold atoms of the nanowire are charged when the nanowire has an inner row. There is a wavy negative charge distribution in the outer tube when the outer tube has a helical structure. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.