Configurations and magnetic properties of Mn–B binary clusters

•The doped B atom enhances the stability of pure Mnn (n=2–12) cluster.•The B can induce all the Mn atoms align ferromagnetic coupling in Mn8B3 clusters.•A stable ferromagnetic nanowire ([Mn8B3]n→∞) has been predicted.

We investigate the structures and magnetic properties of boron-doped manganese clusters using first-principle density functional theory. We arrive at the lowest energy structures for clusters by simultaneously optimizing the cluster geometries, total spins, and relative orientations of individual atomic moments. For MnnB (n=2–12) clusters, the theoretical results indicate that the B atom prefers the surface site for all the lowest-energy structures except Mn10B cluster. The doped B atom enhances the stability of pure Mnn cluster. We also have studied the magnetic behavior of Mn–B clusters in the size range. Based on the analysis of the different magnetic behavior of boron-doped manganese clusters, we have further studied Mn9B2 and Mn8B3 clusters and it indicates that the doping of non-magnetism B element can induce all the Mn atoms align ferromagnetic coupling. Furthermore, a stable pearl necklace nanowire ([Mn8B3]n→∞) which retains the ferromagnetic ordering of all the manganese atoms has been predicted.