Structures and stabilities of rings composed of C20 cages

The ring structures with D-nh, D-n, C-nh and Gh Symmetries composed Of C-20 cages have been investigated using the self-consistent field molecular orbital method. It is found that the formation of the C-20-rings is favorable to stability of the C-20 systems. The influence of structure symmetries and distortion on the stabilities of the C-20-rings is explored. The strain change due to the structure distortion greatly affects the stabilities of the C-20-rings. Furthermore, the bonding and electronic properties of the C-20-ring are also discussed and compared with those of other fullerene-rings such as C-60-rings and C-36-rings.