Elastic and thermodynamic properties of CaB6 under pressure from first principles

The elastic and thermodynamic properties of CsCl-type structure CaB₆ under high pressure are investigated by first-principles calculations based on plane-wave pseudopotential density functional theory method within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The calculated lattice parameters of CaB₆ under zero pressure and zero temperature are in good agreement with the existing experimental data and other theoretical data. The pressure dependences of the elastic constants, bulk modulus B (GPa), and its pressure derivative B′, shear modulus G, Young's modulus E, elastic Debye temperature Θ_B, Zener's anisotropy parameter A, Poisson ratios σ, and Kleinmann parameter ζ are also presented. An analysis for the calculated elastic constants has been made to reveal the mechanical stability of CaB₆ up to 100 GPa. The thermodynamic properties of the CsCl-type structure CaB₆ are predicted using the quasi-harmonic Debye model. The pressure-volume-temperature (P-V-T) relationship, the variations of the heat capacity C_V, Debye temperature Θ_D, and the thermal expansion α with pressure P and temperature T, as well as the Grüneisen parameters γ are obtained systematically in the ranges of 0-100 GPa and 0-2000 K.     

First-principles investigation on vibrational,anisotropic elastic and thermodynamic properties for L12 structure of Al3Er and Al3Yb under high pressure

To better clarify the physical properties for Al₃RE precipitates, first-principles calculations are performed to investigate the vibrational, anisotropic elastic and thermodynamic properties of Al₃Er and Al₃Yb. The calculated results agree well with available experimental and theoretical ones. The vibrational properties indicate that Al₃Er and Al₃Yb will keep their dynamical stabilities with L1₂ structure up to 100 GPa. The elastic constants are satisfied with mechanical stability criteria up to the external pressure of 100 GPa. The mechanical anisotropy is predicted by anisotropic constants A^G, A^U, A^Z and 3D curved surface of Young’s modulus. The calculated results show that both Al₃Er and Al₃Yb are isotropic at zero pressure and obviously anisotropic under high pressure. Further, we systematically investigate the thermodynamic properties and provide the relationships between thermal parameters and pressure. Finally, the pressure-dependent behaviours of density of states, Mulliken charge and bond length are discussed.     

Elastic, electronic, and optical properties of hypothetical SnNNi3 and CuNNi3 in comparison with superconducting ZnNNi3

The elastic, electronic, and optical properties of MNNi₃ (M=Zn, Sn, and Cu) have been calculated using the plane-wave ultrasoft pseudopotential technique, which is based on the first-principle density functional theory (DFT) with generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The optimized lattice parameters, independent elastic constants (C₁₁, C₁₂, and C₄₄), bulk modulus B, compressibility K, shear modulus G, and Poisson's ratio υ, as well as the band structures, total and atom projected densities of states and finally the optical properties of MNNi₃ have been evaluated and discussed. The electronic band structures of the two hypothetical compounds show metallic behavior just like the superconducting ZnNNi₃. Using band structures, the origin of features that appear in different optical properties of all the three compounds has been discussed. The large reflectivity of the predicted compounds in the low energy region might be useful in good candidate materials for coating to avoid solar heating.     

Structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of a new layered-ternary Ta4SiC3 compound

We propose a new layered-ternary Ta₄SiC₃ with two different stacking sequences (α- and β-phases) of the metal atoms along c axis and study their structural stability. The mechanical, electronic and optical properties are then calculated and compared with those of other compounds M₄AX₃ (M=V, Nb, Ta; A=Al, Si and X=C). The predicted compound in the α-phase is found to possess higher bulk modulus than these compounds. The independent elastic constants of the two phases are also evaluated and the results discussed. The electronic band structures for α- and β-Ta₄SiC₃ show metallic conductivity. Ta 5d electrons are mainly contributing to the total density of states (DOS). We see that the hybridization peak of Ta 5d and C 2p lies lower in energy and the Ta 5d-C 2p bond is stronger than Ta 5d-Si 3p bond. Further an analysis of the different optical properties shows the compound to possess improved behavior compared to similar types of compounds.     

First-principles investigations on elastic, phonon and thermodynamic properties of SrB6 under pressure

The elastic, phonon and thermodynamic properties of the divalent alkaline-earth hexaboride SrB₆ are investigated by using plane-wave pseudopotential density functional theory method. The calculated structure parameters and bulk modulus are well consistent with the available experiment and theoretical data. The pressure dependences of elastic constants C_ij, bulk modulus B₀, shear modulus G, Young's modulus E and Poisson's ratio σ are also presented. With these elastic parameters, we investigate the mechanical stability and compressibility of SrB₆. For the thermodynamic properties, both phonon and quasi-harmonic Debye model methods are adopted. Through the comparison with experimental and other theoretical results, we found the method of quasi-harmonic Debye model is a little better. Moreover, the phonon dispersion relations are also obtained. It is found that there are two LO/TO splitting around 5 THz and 26 THz, respectively.     

Study of structural,elastic, electronic and thermodynamic properties of NaAlO3-perovskite

The structural, elastic, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of the cubic NaAlO₃-perovskite are calculated using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave with local orbital (FP-LAPW)+lo. The exchange-correlation energy, is treated in generalized gradient approximation (GGA) using the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) parameterization. The calculated equilibrium parameter is in good agreement with other works. The bulk modulus, elastic constants and their related parameters, such as Young modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson ratio were predicted. The electronic band structure of this compound has been calculated using the Angel-Vosko (EV) generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for the exchange correlation potential. We deduced that NaAlO₃-perovskite exhibit a wide-gap which it is an indirect from R to Γ point. The analysis of the density of states (DOS) curves shows ionic and covalent character bond for Al–O and Na–O respectively.     

First-principles study on the crystal, electronic structure and mechanical properties of hexagonal Al3RE (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd) intermetallic compounds

The structural properties, elastic properties and electronic structures of hexagonal Al₃RE intermetallic compounds are calculated by using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. Since there exists strong on-site Coulomb repulsion between the highly localized 4f electrons of RE atoms, we present a combination of the GGA and the LSDA+U approaches in order to obtain the appropriate results. The GGA calculated lattice constants for the hexagonal Al₃RE intermetallic compounds are in good agreement with available experimental values. The results of cohesive energy indicate that these compounds can be stable under absolute zero Kelvin and the stability of Al₃Gd is the strongest in all of the hexagonal Al₃RE compounds. The densities of states for GGA and LSDA+U approaches are also obtained for the Al₃RE intermetallic compounds. The mechanical properties are calculated from the GGA method in this paper. According to the computed single crystal elastic constants, Al₃La, Al₃Sm and Al₃Gd are mechanically unstable, while Al₃Ce, Al₃Pr and Al₃Nd are stable. The polycrystalline elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio have been deduced by using Voigt-Reuss-Hill (VRH) approximations, and the calculated ratio of bulk modulus to shear modulus indicates that Al₃La compound is ductile material, but Al₃Ce, Al₃Pr, Al₃Nd, Al₃Sm and Al₃Gd are brittle materials.     

First-principles calculations of structural and thermodynamic properties of Y 3Al5O12

The pseudo-potential plane-wave method using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) within the framework of the density functional theory is applied to study the structural and thermodynamic properties of Y ₃Al₅O₁₂. The lattice constants and bulk modulus are calculated. They keep in good agreement with other theoretical data and experimental results. The quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the phononic effects are considered, is applied to the study of the thermodynamic properties. The temperature effect on the structural parameters, bulk modulus, thermal expansion coefficient, specific heats and Debye temperatures in the whole range from 0 to 20 GPa and temperature range from 0 to 1500 K.     

First-principles investigation of the elastic and electronic properties of the binary intermetallics in the Al–La alloy system

The structural, elastic and electronic properties of Al₂La, AlLa₃ and Al₃La binary intermetallics in the Al–La alloy system were investigated using the first-principles method. The calculated lattice constants were consistent with the experimental values. Formation enthalpy and cohesive energy showed that the studied Al₂La, AlLa₃ and Al₃La all have a higher structural stability, and the alloying ability of Al₂La and Al₃La is stronger than that of AlLa₃. The single-crystal elastic constants (C_ij) as well as polycrystalline elastic parameters (bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young's modulus E, Poisson's ratio υ and anisotropy value A) were calculated by the Voigt–Reuss–Hill (V–R–H) approximations, and the relationship of these elastic parameters between Al₂La, AlLa₃ and Al₃La phases were discussed in detail. The results showed that Al₂La and Al₃La which are anisotropic materials are absolutely brittle, while the isotropic AlLa₃ is slightly ductile. Finally, the electronic density of states (DOS) was also calculated to reveal the underlying mechanism of structural stability.     

Electronic structural, elastic properties and thermodynamics of Mg17Al12, Mg2Si and Al2Y phases from first-principles calculations

Electronic structures, elastic properties and thermal stabilities of Mg₁₇Al₁₂, Mg₂Si and Al₂Y have been determined from first-principle calculations. The calculated heats of formation and cohesive energies show that Al₂Y has the strongest alloying ability and structural stability. The brittle behavior and structural stability mechanism is also explained through the electronic structures of these intermetallic compounds. The elastic constants are calculated, the bulk moduli, shear moduli, Young's moduli and Poisson ratio value are derived, the brittleness and plasticity of these phases are discussed. Gibbs free energy, Debye temperature and heat capacity are calculated and discussed.     

Mechanical properties of superhard diamondlike BC5

Using first-principles calculations, we systematically studied the mechanical properties and electronic structure of the recently synthesized diamondlike BC₅. Our calculated bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, elastic constant c₄₄, and theoretical hardness H confirm that BC₅ is an ultraincompressible and superhard material. Also, it exhibits mechanical stability and metallic features. Electronic structures show that a strong covalent bond network through sp³ hybridization is the origin of the excellent mechanical properties of BC₅. Our results show that BC₅ has good prospects in electronic application as a superhard material.     

第一原理研究铝锂金属间化合物

运用密度泛函理论系统地研究了二元铝锂金属间化合物Al₃Li、AlLi、Al₂Li₃和Al₄Li₉的结构、形成热、弹性和电子结构.通过计算四种金属间化合物的形成热,证明了金属间化合物中铝和锂之间具有强烈的化学作用. 在富锂金属间化合物中,随着锂的含量的增加,金属间化合物热力学稳定性呈线性减弱. 计算金属间化合物的单晶弹性常数可以得出四种金属间化合物都是机械稳定的. 运用Voigt-Reuss-Hil     

First principles study of structural,phonon, optical,elastic and electronic properties of Y3Al5O12

Structural, phonon, optical, elastic and electronic properties of Y₃Al₅O₁₂ have been investigated by means of the first principles method with the Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package (CASTEP) code based on the density functional theory. The calculated lattice parameters, valence charge density, bond length and single crystal elastic properties at zero pressure are in good agreement with the available experimental data. The close agreement with the experimental values provides a good confirmation of the reliability of the calculations. Optical, elastic and phonon properties of Y₃Al₅O₁₂ under pressures are performed. The results that are obtained show the changes of optical and elastic properties under the influence of applied pressure, and proving the dynamical stability of YAG are destructed when applied pressure up to 7 GPa. Moreover, polycrystalline elastic moduli are deduced according to the Reuss assumption. Those elastic constants provide important parameters that describe reliability of both physical model and engineering application at the atomistic level. The result of the density of states explains the nature of the electronic band structure.     

Structural,elastic and mechanical properties of orthorhombic SrHfO3 under pressure from first-principles calculations

Structural, elastic and mechanical properties of orthorhombic SrHfO₃ under pressure have been investigated using the plane-wave ultrasoft pseudopotential technique based on the first-principles density functional theory. The calculated equilibrium lattice parameters and elastic constants of orthorhombic SrHfO₃ at zero pressure are in good agreement with the available experimental and calculational values. The lattice parameters, total enthalpy, elastic constants and mechanical stability of orthorhombic SrHfO₃ as a function of pressure were studied. With the increasing pressure, the lattice parameters and volume of orthorhombic SrHfO₃ decrease whereas the total enthalpy increases. Orthorhombic SrHfO₃ is mechanically stable with low pressure (<52.9 GPa) whereas that is mechanically instable with high pressure (>52.9 GPa). The bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus and mechanical anisotropy of orthorhombic SrHfO₃ as a function of pressure were analyzed. It is found that orthorhombic SrHfO₃ under pressure has larger bulk modulus, better ductility and less mechanical anisotropy than orthorhombic SrHfO₃ at 0 GPa.     

Structural, elastic and electronic properties of a new ternary-layered Ti2SiN

The structural, elastic and electronic properties of Ti₂SiN were studied by first-principle calculations. The calculated bond lengths of Ti-Si and Ti-C are 2.65 and 2.09 Å, respectively. The results show Ti₂SiN is mechanically stable, and its bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young's modulus E, Poisson's ratio μ and anisotropy factor A are determined to be 182 GPa, 118 GPa, 291 GPa, 0.233 and 1.57, respectively. The calculated electronic structure indicates that Ti₂SiN is anisotropic and conductive.     

The structural stability, elastic constants and electronic structure of Al-Sr intermetallics by first-principles calculations

The lattice constants, enthalpies of formation, elastic constants and electronic structures of Al-Sr intermetallics have been calculated by first-principles method within generalized gradient approximation. The calculated lattice constants and enthalpies of formation are in good agreement with experimental and other theoretical results. The polycrystalline bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio are also estimated from the calculated single crystalline elastic constants. The total and partial electronic densities of state for the intermetallics were obtained, and the results indicated that Al₂Sr-oI is more stable than Al₂Sr-cF. Finally, longitudinal, transverse and average sound velocities and Debye temperature are estimated.     

Structural and elastic properties of LaTiO3 under pressure

We investigate the structural and elastic properties of LaTiO₃ by the plane-wave pseudopotential density functional theory method. The lattice constants, bulk modulus and its pressure derivative are obtained. These properties in the equilibrium phase are well consistent with the available experimental data. The pressure dependence of the elastic constants, ductility, mechanical stabilities, sound velocity and Debye temperatures are investigated for the first time. From the ratio G/B, we conclude that LaTiO₃ is ductile at 0 GPa and becomes more ductile at high pressure. In addition, the anisotropy factors for every symmetry plane and axis as well as linear bulk modulus at diverse pressures have been obtained.     

First-principles study of structural,elastic, electronic and thermodynamic properties of topological insulator Bi2Se3 under pressure

The structural, elastic, electronic and thermodynamic properties of the rhombohedral topological insulator Bi₂Se₃ are investigated by the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) with the Wu–Cohen (WC) exchange-correlation functional. The calculated lattice constants agree well with the available experimental and other theoretical data. Our GGA calculations indicate that Bi₂Se₃ is a 3D topological insulator with a band gap of 0.287 eV, which are well consistent with the experimental value of 0.3 eV. The pressure dependence of the elastic constants C_ij, bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young’s modulus E, and Poisson’s ratio σ of Bi₂Se₃ are also obtained successfully. The bulk modulus obtained from elastic constants is 53.5 GPa, which agrees well with the experimental value of 53 GPa. We also investigate the shear sound velocity V_S, longitudinal sound velocity V_L, and Debye temperature Θ_E from our elastic constants, as well as the thermodynamic properties from quasi-harmonic Debye model. We obtain that the heat capacity C_v and the thermal expansion coefficient α at 0 GPa and 300 K are 120.78 J mol^?1 K^?1 and 4.70 × 10^?5 K^?1, respectively.     

Effect of Zr concentration on the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of NbIr3 intermetallic compounds from theoretical estimations

ABSTRACT

The iridium is an important metal which has excellent resistance to corrosion at high temperature. L1₂ intermetallic compounds i.e. Ir₃Nb and Ir₃Zr, with similar lattice parameters are ideal for working at high temperature. They are fully soluble due to their low lattice misfit. A first-principle investigation into the effect of doping Zr with different concentrations on the electronic structure, mechanical and thermodynamic properties of NbIr₃ has been studied to prompt the development of novel high-temperature materials. Nine Zr_xNb_8?xIr₂₄ compounds are carefully considered. The results show that adding Zr into these compounds can strengthen their structural stability and ductility. Nevertheless, it reduces the elastic modulus and elastic stiffness. Simultaneously, with the increase of Zr content, the thermodynamic properties of these compounds decrease. It is also found that the changes of elastic modulus are mainly attributed to the variations of bonds in these compounds.     

Elastic and electronic properties of YNi2B2C under pressure from first principles

The elastic and electronic structure properties of YNi₂B₂C under pressure are investigated by performing the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and local density approximation (LDA) correction scheme in the frame of density functional theory (DFT). The pressure dependences of the normalized lattice parameters a/a₀ and c/c₀, the ratio c/a, and the normalized primitive volume V/V₀ of YNi₂B₂C are also obtained. The lattice constants and bulk modulus obtained are in agreement with the available experimental and other theoretical data. We have also studied the pressure dependences of elastic properties. It is found that, as pressure increases, the elastic constants C₁₁, C₃₃, C₆₆, C₁₂, and C₁₃ increase, the variation of elastic constant C₄₄ is not obvious. Moreover, our compressional and shear wave velocities V_L=6.99 km/s and V_S=3.67 km/s as well as the Debye temperature Θ=549.7 K at 0 GPa compare favorably with the available experimental data. The pressure dependences of band structures, energy gap and density of states are also investigated.