A theoretical investigation of structural,mechanical, electronic and thermoelectric properties of orthorhombic CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>PbI<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The structural, mechanical, electronic and thermoelectric properties of the low temperature orthorhombic perovskite phase of CH₃NH₃PbI₃ have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT). Elastic parameters bulk modulus B, Young’s modulus E, shear modulus G, Poisson’s ratio ν and anisotropy value A have been calculated by the Voigt–Reuss–Hill averaging scheme. Phonon dispersions of the structure were investigated using a finite displacement method. The relaxed system is dynamically stable, and the equilibrium elastic constants satisfy all the mechanical stability criteria for orthorhombic crystals, showing stability against the influence of external forces. The lattice thermal conductivity was calculated within the single-mode relaxation-time approximation of the Boltzmann equation from first-principles anharmonic lattice dynamics calculations. Our results show that lattice thermal conductivity is anisotropic, and the corresponding lattice thermal conductivity at 150 K was found to be 0.189, 0.138, and 0.530 Wm^?1K^?1 in the a, b, and c directions. Electronic structure calculations demonstrate that this compound has a DFT direct band gap at the gamma point of about 1.57 eV. The electronic transport properties have been calculated by solving the semiclassical Boltzmann transport equation on top of DFT calculations, within the constant relaxation time approximation. The Seebeck coefficient S is almost constant from 50 to 150 K. At temperatures 100 and 150 K, the maximal figure of merit is found to be 0.06 and 0.122 in the direction of the c-axis, respectively.     

Magnetic and Magnetodielectric Properties of Ho<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Nd<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The magnetic and magnetodielectric properties of Ho_0.5Nd_0.5Fe₃(BO₃)₄ ferroborate with the competing Ho–Fe and Nd–Fe exchange couplings have been experimentally and theoretically investigated. Step anomalies in the magnetization curves at the spin-reorientation transition induced by the magnetic field B ║ c have been found. The spontaneous spin-reorientation transition temperature T_SR ≈ 8 K has been refined. The measured magnetic properties and observed features are interpreted using a single theoretical approach based on the molecular field approximation and calculations within the crystal field model of the rare-earth ion. Interpretation of the experimental data includes determination of the crystal field parameters for Ho³⁺ and Nd³⁺ ions in Ho_0.5Nd_0.5Fe₃(BO₃)₄ and parameters of the Ho–Fe and Nd–Fe exchange couplings.     

Anisotropy of the Complex Permittivity of the Kagome-Staircase Compounds Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript> and Ni<Subscript>3</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript>: Experiment and Ab Initio Calculations

The anisotropy of the components of the complex permittivity of vanadate Co₃V₂O₈ and Co₃V₂O₈ single crystals in the paramagnetic phase are studied by optical ellipsometry in the spectral region 0.5–5.0 eV. Our experimental results support the weak anisotropy of the optical response detected earlier for axes a and c. The optical properties are also investigated along axis b. The properties of both compounds are compared. The optical spectra of both compounds along axis b are shifted toward low energies as compared to axes a and c. The maximum of the main interband absorption band of Co₃V₂O₈ is shifted toward low energies by 0.25–0.3 eV as compared to Co₃V₂O₈. The electronic structure parameters of both compounds are determined. Optical function spectra are analyzed using the results of ab initio band calculations.     

Growth and characterization of a LaCa<Subscript>4</Subscript>O(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystal

The non-linear optical (NLO) crystal LaCa₄ O(BO₃)₃ (LaCOB ) has been grown by the Czochralski method. X-ray diffraction experiments show that LaCOB crystal possesses the space group Cm, and its unit cell constants have been measured to be a=0.8168(3) nm,b=1.6081(7) nm and c=0.3630(6) nm, with an angle =101.39°. The thermal properties of LaCOB have been studied; the specific heat of the crystal is 321.9 J/molK at 330 K, and the three principal coefficients of thermal expansion of the principal axes have been calculated from the measured data to be 5.61×10^-6 K^-1, 7.21×10^-6 K^-1 and 11.01×10^-6 K^-1, respectively. The transmission spectrum shows that LaCOB crystal has a wide transparency wavelength range, and may be used as a NLO crystal. PACS 81.10.Fq; 65.40.Ba; 65.40.De     

Phonon spectrum of lead oxychloride Pb<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>: Ab initio calculation and experiment

IR and Raman spectra of Pb₃O₂Cl₂ in the range of 50–600 cm^–1 have been detected for the first time. Ab initio calculations of the crystal structure and the phonon spectrum of Pb₃O₂Cl₂ in the framework of LCAO approach have been performed by the Hartree–Fock method and in the framework of the density functional theory with the use of hybrid functionals. The results of calculations have made it possible to interpret the experimental vibration spectra and reveal silent modes, which do not manifest themselves in these spectra but influence the optical properties of the crystal.     

Magnetostriction of Hexagonal HoMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and YMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Single Crystals

We report on the magnetostriction of hexagonal HoMnO₃ and YMnO₃ single crystals in a wide range of applied magnetic fields (up to H = 14 T) at all possible combinations of the mutual orientations of magnetic field H and magnetostriction ΔL/L. The measured ΔL/L(H, T) data agree well with the magnetic phase diagram of the HoMnO₃ single crystal reported previously by other authors. It is shown that the nonmonotonic behavior of magnetostriction of the HoMnO₃ crystal is caused by the Ho³⁺ ion; the magnetic moment of the Mn³⁺ ion parallel to the hexagonal crystal axis. The anomalies established from the magnetostriction measurements of HoMnO₃ are consistent with the phase diagram of these compounds. For the isostructural YMnO₃ single crystal with a nonmagnetic rare-earth ion, the ΔL/L(H, T) dependences are described well by a conventional quadratic law in a wide temperature range (4–100 K). In addition, the magnetostriction effect is qualitatively estimated with regard to the effect of the crystal electric field on the holmium ion.     

Ab initio calculation of the structure and optical properties of lead oxyhalides Pb<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis> = Cl,Br, I)

Using ab initio methods, we obtained information on the crystal structure, calculated the phonon spectra, and determined the optical properties of oxyhalides Pb₃O₂Br₂ and Pb₃O₂I₂. A compound of Pb₃O₂Br₂ is synthesized, and its phonon spectra are recorded. The experimentally observed vibrational bands are assigned. A comparative analysis of the crystal lattice parameters, the phonon spectra, and the anisotropy parameters of lead oxyhalides Pb₃O₂ X ₂ (X = Cl, Br, I) is performed.     

Infrared spectroscopy of europium borates Eu<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis> = Al,Cr, Fe,Ga) with a huntite mineral type of structure

Huntite-like EuM ₃(BO₃)₄ crystals (M = Al, Cr, Fe, or Ga) are synthesized by means of spontaneous crystallization from a solution in a melt. The infrared spectra of the compounds are measured. The experimental data and the results from ab initio DFT calculations are compared. The comparison shows that the compounds have a primarily noncentrosymmetric rhomboherdal structure with the R32 space group. This indicates these compounds could exhibit magnetoelectric and nonlinear optical properties.     

Divalent rare-earth ions in LaF<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystals

The optical spectra and electric conductivity of LaF₃ crystals doped with 0.01, 0.1, and 0.3 mol % YbF₃, where Yb was partly or completely recharged to the divalent state, are studied. The long-wavelength absorption band of 370 nm is caused by electrons transitioning from state 4f ¹⁴ to the level of anion vacancies. The remaining bands at 300–190 nm are caused by 4f ¹⁴–5d ¹4f ¹³ transitions in Yb²⁺. The bulk electric conductivity and peaks of the dielectric losses of LaF₃–Yb²⁺ crystals are caused by Yb²⁺–anion vacancy dipoles. The activation energy of the reorientation of Yb dipoles is 0.58 eV. The optical and dielectric properties of Yb²⁺ centers are compared to those of Sm²⁺ and Eu²⁺ centers studied earlier in LaF₃ crystals.     

High-resolution spectroscopy of HoFe<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystal: a study of phase transitions

The transmission spectra of HoFe₃(BO₃) multiferroic single crystals are studied by optical Fourier-transform spectroscopy at temperatures of 1.7–423 K in polarized light in the spectral range 500–10 000 cm^–1 with a resolution up to 0.1 cm^–1. A new first-order structural phase transition close to the second-order transition is recorded at T_c = 360 K by the appearance of a new phonon mode at 976 cm^–1. The reasons for considerable differences in T_c for different samples of holmium ferroborate are discussed. By temperature variations in the spectra of the f–f transitions in the Ho³⁺ ion, we studied two magnetic phase transitions, namely, magnetic ordering into an easy-plane structure as a second-order phase transition at T_N = 39 K and spin reorientation from the ab plane to the c axis as a first-order phase transition at T_SR = 4.7 ± 0.2 K. It is shown that erbium impurity in a concentration of 1 at % decreases the spin-reorientation transition temperature to T_SR = 4.0 K.     

The properties research of ferrum additive on Li [Ni<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Co<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>] O<Subscript>2</Subscript> cathode material for lithium ion batteries

Li[Ni_1/3Co_(1-x)/3Mn_1/3Fe _x/3] O₂(x?=?0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9) cathode materials have been synthesized via hydroxide co-precipitation method followed by a solid state reaction. Thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements were utilized to determine the calcination temperature of precursor sample. The crystal structure features were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical properties of Li[Ni_1/3Co_(1-x)/3Mn_1/3Fe _x/3]O₂ were compared by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS), and galvanostatic charge/discharge test. Electrochemical test results indicate that Li[Ni_1/3Co_0.9/3Mn_1/3Fe_0.1/3] O₂ decrease charge transfer resistance and enhance Li⁺ ion diffusion velocity and thus improve cycling and high-rate capability compared with Li[Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3]O₂. The initial discharge specific capacity of Li[Ni_1/3Co_0.9/3Mn_1/3Fe_0.1/3] O₂ was 178.5 mAh/g and capacity retention was 87.11 % after 30 cycles at 0.1C, with the battery showing good cycle performance.     

A new allotropic form of carbon [C<Subscript>28</Subscript>]<Subscript>n</Subscript> based on fullerene C<Subscript>20</Subscript> and cubic cluster C<Subscript>8</Subscript> and Si and Ge analogs of this form: Computer simulation

The structure of a new allotropic form of carbon [C₂₈]_n having a simple cubic lattice and space group \(Pm \bar 3\) is proposed. The geometrical parameters of the building block of such a hypothetic crystal are preliminarily determined from DFT-PBE calculations of the cluster C₈@(C₂₀)₈ and the polyhedral hydrocarbon molecule C₈@(C₂₀H₁₃)₈, in which the centers of the cubic clusters C₈ coincide with the centers of the cluster C₈@(C₂₀)₈ and of the molecule C₈@(C₂₀H₁₃)₈, respectively, and dodecahedral C₂₀ carbon cages are located at the vertices of a cube. The energy of dissociation of the cluster C₈@(C₂₀)₈ into a cubic cluster C₈ and eight dodecahedral clusters C₂₀ is calculated to be 1482 kcal/mol, and the energy of each C₈-C₂₀ bond is equal to 74.2 kcal/mol. The structure of the [C₂₈]_n crystal is refined using the DFT-PBE96/FLAPW method and optimized geometry. Calculations show that the crystal is a dielectric with an energy gap of 3.3 eV. The lattice parameter a of the crystal is equal to 5.6 Å, and its density is 3.0 g/cm³. The possible existence of analogous allotropic forms of elements Si and Ge is discussed. A method is proposed for designing a hypothetic allotropic form [C₂₈]_n from C₂₀(CH₃)₈ molecules with T _h symmetry.     

Synthesis and optical studies of GdCrO<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles

Here we report for the first time, a detailed synthesis mechanism of GdCrO₃ nanoparticles using a surfactant-less hydrothermal method. We also report a detailed study of their structural and optical properties. The selected area electron diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction studies of GdCrO₃ nanoparticles show pure phase and excellent crystallinity with average particle size around 50–60 nm. The structural analysis indicates a distorted perovskite crystal structure with lattice parameter values of a = 5.3099 ± 0.0022, b = 5.51793 ± 0.00226, and c = 7.60426 ± 0.00315 Å. For the first time, we report the room temperature UV–vis, photoluminescence, FTIR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results and their detailed analysis for GdCrO₃. These results provide optical signatures of the formation of GdCrO₃ where both Gd³⁺ and Cr³⁺ play dominant role in different frequency regions.     

Spin reorientation effects in GdFe<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> induced by applied field and temperature

Magnetic properties of GdFe₃(BO₃)₄ single crystals were investigated by ⁵⁷Fe-Mössbauer spectroscopy and static magnetic measurements. In the ground state, the GdFe₃(BO₃)₄ crystal is an easy-axis compensated antiferromagnet, but the easy axis of iron moments does not coincide with the crystal C₃ axis, deviating from it by about 20°. The spontaneous and field-induced spin reorientation effects were observed and studied in detail. The specific directions of iron magnetic moments were determined for different temperatures and applied fields. Large values of the angle between the Fe³⁺ magnetic moments and the C₃ axis in the easy-axis phase and between Fe³⁺ moments and the a₂ axis in the easy-plane phase reveal the tilted antiferromagnetic structure.     

Influence of the ground state of the Pr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ion on magnetic and magnetoelectric properties of the PrFe<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> multiferroic

The magnetic, magnetoelectric, and magnetoelastic properties of a PrFe₃(BO₃)₄ single crystal and the phase transitions induced in this crystal by the magnetic field are studied both experimentally and theoretically. Unlike the previously investigated ferroborates, this material is characterized by a singlet ground state of the rare-earth ion. It is found that, below T _N = 32 K, the magnetic structure of the crystal in the absence of the magnetic field is uniaxial (l ∥ c), while, in a strong magnetic field H ∥ c (H _cr ～ 43 kOe at T = 4.2 K), a Fe³⁺ spin reorientation to the basal plane takes place. The reorientation is accompanied by anomalies in magnetization, magnetostriction, and electric polarization. The threshold field values determined in the temperature interval 2–32 K are used to plot an H-T phase diagram. The contribution of the Pr³⁺ ion ground state to the parameters under study is revealed, and the influence of the praseodymium ion on the magnetic and magnetoelectric properties of praseodymium ferroborate is analyzed.     

Dipole ordering and ionic conductivity in NASICON-Type Na<Subscript>3</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> structures

The aspects of structure, dipole ordering, and ionic conductivity of the Na₃Cr₂(PO₄)₃ crystal with the four polymorphic phases (α, α', β, and γ) have been investigated. The features of the α-Na₃Cr₂(PO₄)₃ crystal structure and its dipole ordering and relaxation polarization in the low-temperature α and α' phases have been refined. The occurrence of Na₃Cr₂(PO₄)₃ dipole ordering in the α and α' phases and high ionic conductivity in the β and γ phases is attributed to the structural changes in the rhombohedral [Me₂(PO₄)₃]^–3_3∞ crystal frame upon phase transformations α → α', α' → β, and β → γ. A model for explaining the dipole ordering and ionic conductivity phenomena in Na₃Cr₂(PO₄)₃ is proposed.     

A new one-dimensional hybrid material lattice: AC conductivity and structural characterization of [C<Subscript>7</Subscript>H<Subscript>12</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript>][CdCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>]

The present paper reports the synthesis, crystal structure, ¹³C and ¹¹¹Cd cross-polarization magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance(CP-MAS-NMR) analysis and ac conductivity for a new organic–inorganic hybrid salt, [C₇H₁₂N₂][CdCl₄]. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P\( \overline 1 \), with unit cell dimensions: a?=?7.1050(3) Å, b?=?8.9579(3) Å, c?=?9.4482(3) Å, α?=?81.415(1)°, β?=?89.710(2)°, γ?=?85.765(1)°, V?=?592.97(4) Å³, and Z?=?2. The asymmetric unit is composed of one-2,4-diammonium toluene cation and one [CdCl₄]^2? anion. The Cd atom is in a slightly distorted octahedra coordination environment. Its structure can be described by infinite chains of CdCl₆ octahedron linked to organic cations by a strong charge-assisted N–H???Cl interactions in order to build organic–inorganic layers staked along \( \left[ {0\overline 1 1} \right] \) direction. The solid state ¹³C CP-MAS-NMR spectra has shown seven isotropic resonances, confirming the existence of seven non-equivalent carbon atoms, which is consistent with crystal structure determined by X-ray diffraction. As for ¹¹¹Cd MAS-NMR, it has shown one cadmium site with isotropic chemical shift observed at 167.2 ppm. The complex impedance of the compound has been investigated in the temperature range of 403–460 K and in the frequency range of 200 Hz–5 MHz. The impedance plots have shown semicircle arcs at different temperatures and an electrical equivalent circuit has been proposed to explain the impedance results. The circuits consist of the parallel combination of bulk resistance R _p and constant phase elements.     

Magnetic properties of DyFe<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The magnetic properties of an easy-axis trigonal DyFe₃(BO₃)₄ antiferromagnetic crystal have been theoretically studied. On this basis, recent experimental data [1] on the field and temperature dependences of magnetization and the temperature dependence of the initial magnetic susceptibility for three crystallographic directions in this antiferromagnet have been interpreted. The characteristics of the trigonal crystal field for the rare earth ion and the parameters of the Fe-Fe and Fe-Dy exchange interactions are determined. Limitations imposed by features of the magnetic characteristics (anisotropic magnetization in the three crystallographic directions, Schottky-type anomalies in the magnetic susceptibility, etc.) on the possible splitting of the ground-state multiplet in the crystal field and the splitting of the lowest doublet due to the f-d interaction for Dy³⁺ ions are established.     

Electronic structure,lattice dynamics,and magnetoelectric properties of double perovskite La<Subscript>2</Subscript>CuTiO<Subscript>6</Subscript>

The results of ab initio calculations of the electronic structure, vibrational properties, and the magnetoelectric effect in the La₂CuTiO₆ crystal with double perovskite structure are presented. The lattice dynamics calculation shows the presence of unstable modes in the phonon spectrum of the high-symmetry cubic phase with space group \(Fm\overline 3 m\). Condensation of two most unstable modes belonging to the center and the boundary point X of the Brillouin zone leads to the formation of a nonpolar stable phase with space group P2₁/n. The calculation taking into account spin polarization shows that the magnetic ground state is E*-type antiferromagnetic with doubled magnetic cell and with the two spin-up and two spin-down configuration of magnetic moments of copper ions along the [010] crystallographic direction. Such ordering of magnetic moments leads to polar space group and polarization formation. The polarization magnitude is estimated as 71 μC/m².     

Resonance Frequency and NMR Relaxation Times in Two Inequivalent <Superscript>133</Superscript>Cs in Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>CuBr<Subscript>4</Subscript> and Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>ZnBr<Subscript>4</Subscript> Single Crystals

The resonance frequencies and relaxation mechanisms of Cs₂CuBr₄ and Cs₂ZnBr₄ were examined by static nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method. Here, the two inequivalent Cs(1) and Cs(2) sites surrounded by Br ions were distinguished. The saturation recovery traces for ¹³³Cs nuclei in Cs₂CuBr₄ with the paramagnetic ions, and those in Cs₂ZnBr₄ without the paramagnetic ions were each fitted by four exponential functions. From these results, the spin–lattice relaxation times T₁ in the laboratory frame of ¹³³Cs nuclei in the two crystals were obtained, and Cs(1) surrounded by 11 bromide ions has a longer relaxation time than Cs(2) surrounded by 9 bromide ions.