Prediction of lattice constant in cubic perovskites

Regularities of lattice constant in ideal perovskites are investigated by using a total of 132 ABX₃-type compounds, including oxides and halides. Two atomic properties; the sum of ionic radius of B and X atoms and the well known ‘tolerance factor’ (which is a function of ionic radius of A, B and X), were found very effective in reproducing the measured lattice constant through a linear combination of these two parameters (R²=0.995). It is further indicated that these two parameters are linked to the crystal features of perovskite. The average error limits in predicting lattice constant, by using this empirical equation, are expected within 0.63%. It may be useful to design new substrates/buffer materials for compound semiconductor epitaxy, in which there is a requirement of lattice match between them and adjacent layers.     

Electronic structure and magnetic properties of the quaternary perovskites LnMn3V4O12 (Ln = La,Nd and Gd)

ABSTRACT

Structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the quaternary perovskites LnMn₃V₄O₁₂ (Ln?=?La, Nd and Gd) are calculated using generalised gradient approximation along with Hubbard potential (GGA?+?U) within the frame work of density functional theory (DFT). It is observed that the calculated lattice constants are decreases as going from La→Gd due to the lanthanide’s contraction and found consistent with the experiments. The electron charge densities show that the Ln—O bond is ionic whereas the bond between Mn/V—O is covalent. The metallic nature of these compounds is confirmed by the overall band structures. The magnetic susceptibility curves show that all these compounds are anti-ferromagnetic and the exchange interactions play vital role in the magnetic properties of these perovskites. Furthermore, the electrical resistivities calculated by BoltzTrap code also verify the metallic nature of all these compounds. This study also confirms that in these compounds Mn 3d-states electrons are responsible for the magnetic behaviour whereas V 3d-states electrons for the electronic behaviour.     

Structural,elastic, electronic and optical properties of the cubic perovskites CaXO3 (X=Hf and Sn)

The structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of CaXO₃ compounds with the cubic perovskites structure have been investigated, by employing a first principles method, using the plane wave pseudo potential calculations (PP-PW), based on the density functional theory (DFT), within the local density approximation (LDA). The elastic constants and their pressure dependence are calculated using the static finite strain technique. We derived the bulk, shear and Young’s moduli for ideal monocrystalline and for polycrystalline CaXO₃ aggregates which we have classified as ductile in nature. Band structures reveal that these compounds are indirect energy band gap (R-G) semiconductors; the analysis of the site and momentum projected densities, valence charge density bond length, bond population and Milliken charges, shows that bonding is of covalent–ionic nature. We have found that the elastic constants C₁₁, C₁₂, C₄₄ are in good correlation with the bonding properties. The optical constants, including the dielectric function, optical reflectivity, refractive index and electron energy loss, are calculated for radiation up to 20 eV.     

The ground states properties and the spin effect on the cubic and hexagonal perovskite manganese oxide BaMnO3: GGA+U calculation

Particularly interesting as candidates to technological applications are the manganese perovskites with AMnO₃ formula. Their magnetic structure was described as resulting from a particular ordering of the occupied d orbitals which possess. This reflects my understanding of the structural, electronic and magnetic phenomena, which is well established only in the limit where the systems show localized or itinerant electron behavior. In general, the perovskites of ABO₃-type are well known with their (anti)ferroelectric, piezoelectric and (anti)ferromagnetism properties applied in considerable technological investigations. In my paper, I studied the ground states properties of the BaMnO₃ perovskite oxide. My structural properties are given using LSDA, GGA, LSDA+U and GGA+U in the aim to introduce the exchange correlation potential. In the following paper, I use the GGA+U on the electronic and magnetic properties calculation. I show in my study the density of states, the band structures and also the charge density figures. My results such as lattice parameter, bulk modulus and its pressure derivative agree very well with available theoretical works and experimental data. I discuss the magnetic moment and the U-Hubbard effect introduced by LSDA+U and GGA+U on my results given in this paper.     

First principle study of the structural and optoelectronic properties of cubic perovskites CsPbM3 (M=Cl, Br, I)

The highly accurate all electrons full potential linearized augmented plane wave method is used to calculate structural, electronic, and optical properties of cubic perovskites CsPbM₃ (M=Cl, Br, I). The theoretically calculated lattice constants are found to be in good agreement with the experimentally measured values. It is found that all of these compounds are wide and direct bandgap semiconductors with bandgap located at R-symmetry point, while the bandgap decreases from Cl to I. The electron densities reveal strong ionic bonding between Cs and halides but strong covalent bonding between Pb and halides. Optical properties of these compounds like real and imaginary parts of dielectric functions, refractive indices, extinction coefficients, reflectivities, optical conductivities, and absorption coefficients are also calculated. The direct bandgap nature and high absorption power of these compounds in the visible-ultraviolet energy range imply that these perovskites can be used in optical and optoelectronic devices working in this range of the spectrum.     

A comparative study of dielectric and Raman spectroscopy of Pb(Y b1/2Ta1/2)O3 and Pb(Y b1/2Nb1/2)O3

A comparative study of the properties of two highly ordered lead based complex perovskites Pb(Y b_1/2Ta_1/2)O₃ and Pb(Y b_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃ has been carried out through x-ray diffraction, dielectric and Raman scattering measurements. These two compounds differ significantly in their structure, dielectric response and phonon vibration although the ionic radii and valencies are same for Ta and Nb. The room temperature x-ray diffraction pattern and Raman spectra show that the symmetry of lead ytterbium tantalate is lower than that of lead ytterbium niobate. The Raman spectra of Pb(Y b_1/2Ta_1/2)O₃ also indicates the presence of local distortion in the lattice which may be one of the factors responsible for the existence of a secondary transition.     

Site selectivity of dopant cations in Ca3(SiO4)Cl2

A series of static lattice calculations were performed to determine the site selectivity of cations of differing size and valence when substituted onto the Ca sites of the calcium chlorosilicate (Ca₃(SiO₄)Cl₂) lattice, a potential host phase for the immobilisation of halide-rich wastes arising from the pyrochemical reprocessing of plutonium. Atomic-scale simulations indicate that divalent cations are preferentially substituted onto the Ca1 site, whilst tri- and tetravalent cations are preferentially hosted on the Ca2 site, with the Ca1 site favoured for forming the vacancies necessary to charge-balance the lattice as a whole. Multi-defect calculations reveal that the site selectivity of the dopant cations is dependent on their ionic radii; as the ionic radii of the divalent cations increase, substitution onto the preferred site becomes more and more strongly favoured, whereas the inverse is true of the trivalent cations.     

Hyperfine interactions in cubic perovskites

ABO₃ perovskites display several physical properties determined by the characteristics of A and B cations. These compounds have cubic structure at high temperature. Lower symmetry cells that are distorted cubes are found at low temperature. Defects modify the properties of these compounds. Under standard conditions oxygen vacancies are produced. Cation substitution also alters the characteristics of perovskites. These materials have been studied by Perturbed Angular Correlation (PAC) spectroscopy and other hyperfine techniques. In this way abundant information is available to determine charge distributions close to probes. In the cubic phase perturbations were detected that are produced by the interaction of probes with defects. To show up these effects we analyze the quadrupole interaction at ¹⁸¹Ta in several compounds: ABO₃ with A=Ca, Sr and Ba, BaTi_1−x Hf _x O₃ and PbZr_1−x Ti _x O₃ for 0⩽x⩽1. Three different quadrupole interactions were found and are interpreted in terms of distinct probe-oxygen vacancy configurations. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Quantum chemical modelling of ‘green’ luminescence in self activated perovskite-type oxides

We discuss the origin of the intrinsic visible band emission of ABO₃ perovskite oxides (so-called ‘green luminescence’) which remains a topic of high interest during the last quarter of the century. We present a theoretical calculation modelling of this emission in the framework of a concept of charge transfer vibronic excitons [Phys. Solid State, 40 (1998) 834], i.e. as a result of radiative recombination of correlated (bound) self-trapped electron and hole polarons in the highly polarizable ABO₃-type matrix. The Intermediate Neglect of Differential Overlap method combined with the Large Unit Cell periodic defect model was used for quantum chemical calculations and theoretical simulation of the green emission for a series of model ABO₃ perovskites. The ‘green’ luminescence energies for PbTiO₃, SrTiO₃, BaTiO₃, KNbO₃ and KTaO₃ perovskite-type crystals agree well with those experimentally observed earlier.     

Comment on “Prediction of lattice constant in cubic perovskites”

In a recent work by Jiang et al. [Prediction of lattice constant in cubic perovskites, J. Phys. Chem. Solids 67 (2006) 1531-1536], the interrelationship between lattice constant, ionic radii and tolerance factor of cubic perovskites has been established and an empirical equation was obtained. However, the assumption of incorrect ionic coordination led to an incorrect mathematical expression even though the average relative errors between predicted and observed lattice constants of 132 materials were below 1%. Here, corrected coefficients for that empirical expression are obtained, which would likely be useful for investigation of general perovskite materials.     

Note on the formation and the magnetic properties of amorphous Eu-Ag alloys

Results are reported of an investigation of several amorphous alloys of Eu and Ag made by melt spinning. The crystallization temperatures were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. By means of magnetic measurements it was established that the Eu ions are divalent in all amorphous Eu-Ag alloys. In order to compare the magnetic coupling in the amorphous alloys with that in crystalline compounds, an investigation was also made of the magnetic properties of the compounds Eu₃Si₂ (tetragonal, U₃Si₂-type) and EuAg (orthohombic, FeB-type). Their magnetic properties and lattice constants are given together with those of the compounds EuAg₂ and EuAg₅.     

Ab initio study of the structural,electronic and elastic properties of AgSbTe2, AgSbSe2, Pr3AlC,Ce3AlC,Ce3AlN,La3AlC and La3AlN compounds

In this paper, we study the structural, electronic and elastic properties of the ternary AgSbTe₂, AgSbSe₂, Pr₃AlC, Ce₃AlC, Ce₃AlN, La₃AlC and La₃AlN compounds using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) scheme and the pseudopotential plane wave (PP-PW) scheme in the frame of generalized gradient approximation (GGA). Results are given for the lattice parameters, bulk modulus, and its pressure derivative. The calculated lattice parameters are in good agreement with experimental results. We have determined the full set of first-order elastic constants, shear modulus, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of these compounds. Also, we have presented the results of the band structure, densities of states, it is found that this compounds metallic behavior, and a negative gap Г→R for Pr₃AlC. The analysis charge densities show that bonding is of covalent–ionic and ionic nature for AgSbSe₂ and AgSbTe₂ compounds.     

First-principles investigation of LaGaO3 and LaInO3 lanthanum perovskite oxides

Among the class of ABO₃-type perovskite oxides, LaMO₃ (M=Ga and In) compounds are investigated in cubic (Pm-3m), tetragonal (P4mm), hexagonal (P-3m1), rhombohedral (R-3c) and orthorhombic (Pbnm) phases using generalised gradient approximation (GGA) within the density functional theory. On-site Coulomb interaction is also included in the calculations (GGA + U). After the determination of the stable phase, phase transition pressures have also been calculated. Then, their full structural, mechanical, electronic, optical and vibrational properties have been studied in stable orthorhombic (Pbnm) phase. Both compounds are non-magnetic insulators in their ground states. The energy gaps (E_g) of LaGaO₃ and LaInO₃ compounds have been found as 3.14 and 2.55 eV, respectively. The calculated elastic constants and phonon dispersion curves confirm the stability of orthorhombic phase mechanically and dynamically.     

On the criteria of formation and lattice distortion of perovskite-type complex halides

The famous Goldschmidt's tolerance factor gives us a necessary but not sufficient condition for the formation of perovskite-type compounds (ABX₃). In this work, computerized data analysis has been used to find some complementary criteria for the formation and lattice distortion of perovskite-type complex halides. It has been found that the radius ratio (R_A/R_X) and (R_B/R_X), affecting the stability of BX₆ octahedra and AX₁₂ cubo-octahedra (they are basic units of perovskite structure), are also dominating factors for the formation and lattice distortion of perovskite-type compounds. Besides, it has been found that the transition between the perovskite structure (with corner-sharing BX₆ octahedra) to BaNiO₃ structure (with face-sharing BX₆ octahedra) can be predicted by a criterion based on the relative magnitude of ionic radii and electronegativity. Based on multivariate data analysis, several complementary criteria for the formation and lattice distortion of perovskite-type complex halides have been obtained, and some empirical equations expressing the relationships between the ionic radii (R_A,R_B,R_X) and the lattice constants of perovskite-type complex halides have been found. The physical meaning of these empirical relationships has been discussed based on Pauling's rules of the crystal lattice stability of complex ionic compounds.     

Combined Rietveld refinement of BaMgAl10O17:Eu using X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data

The phosphor, BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺, showing a blue emission band at about 450 nm was prepared by a normal solid-state reaction using BaCO₃, Al₂O₃, MgO and Eu₂O₃ as starting materials with AlF₃ as a flux. The study of combined Rietveld refinement and photoluminescence spectra was carried out to determine the structural parameters, such as lattice constants, the valence state of Eu, the site preference of Mg and site fractions of Mg and Eu. The occupancies of Eu and Mg were 0.022 and 0.526, respectively. The valence state of Eu was the divalent state because there was only one broad line at about 450 nm in the photoluminescence spectrum. The site preference of Mg atoms was the tetrahedral site of Al atoms surrounded by oxygen atoms in the spinel block. Lattice parameters decreased due to the difference of two ionic radii, Eu²⁺(1.09 Å) and Ba²⁺(1.34 Å), compared with those of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇.     

Electronic and structural properties of ZnxCd1−xSySe1−y alloys lattice matched to GaAs and InP: An EPM study

The electronic, optical and structural properties of Zn_xCd_1−xS_ySe_1−y quaternary alloys lattice matched to GaAs and InP are studied. The electronic band structure and density of states are computed using empirical pseudopotential method. The disorder effects are included via modified virtual crystal approximation. The bandgap computed from band structures are utilized to evaluate refractive indices, dielectric constants and ionicity factors for the alloys. Among structural properties elastic constants and bulk moduli are computed by combining the EPM with Harrison bond orbital model. All possible semiconductors from the ZnCdSSe system are found to have direct bandgap. The lattice matched alloys have larger band gap and more ionic character than the lattice matched compounds.     

Grain size effect on GdFeO3-type lattice distortion and ferroelectric behavior in DyMnO3

The GdFeO₃-type lattice distortion and consequent ferroelectric behavior in polycrystalline DyMnO₃ with different grain sizes are studied by means of the Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction at room temperature and ferroelectric measurements at low temperature. As evidenced by the variation in the in-plane MnOMn bond angle and the ferroelectric polarization, the distorted crystal structure and ferroelectric behavior of DyMnO₃ can be effectively modulated by varying grain size. This work sheds light on the size effect in type-II multiferroic manganites.     

Structural,elastic and optoelectronic properties of the hydrogen based perovskite compounds: Ab-initio study

The structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of the cubic CaMH₃ (M=Ni and Pd) compounds are investigated using first principle calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) as implemented in the Wien2k code. The calculated lattice constants are found to be in good agreement with the values reported in the previous literature. The analysis of standard enthalpy of formation shows that both CaNiH₃ and CaPdH₃ are thermodynamically stable. The bulk modulus and cohesive energy values indicate that CaNiH₃ is less compressible and more rigid than CaPdH₃. The bonding forces between atoms of the studied compounds are mainly ionic and partially covalent. The real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function are used to calculate the optical properties. The partial density of states for the present compounds are used to explain the main peaks of the optical spectra. Beneficial optoelectronic applications are predicted from the analysis of the optical spectra of CaNiH₃ and CaPdH₃ compounds.     

Transition metal oxide perovskites by photoelectron and x-ray absorption spectroscopy

X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy as well as x-ray absorption spectroscopy have been employed to investigate transition metal oxide perovskites of the general formula ABO₃ (A = La or rare-earth ion, B=trivalent transition metal ion). Systematics in the core levels and in the valence bands in the series of LaBO₃ compounds have been discussed. Lanthanum chemical shifts in the x-ray absorption spectra in this series show interesting trends. Photoelectron spectra of the solid solutions, LaNi_1−x Co _x O₃, LaNi_1−x Fe _x O₃ and LaFe_1−x Co _x O₃ show that the rigid band model is applicable to these systems. It is shown that x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy can be employed to identify multiple oxidation states of transition metal ions in oxide perovskites. Communication No. 30 from the Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Structural,elastic and electronic properties of XNCa3 (X = Ge,Sn and Pb) compounds

Using ab initio calculations, we have studied the structural, elastic and electronic properties of XNCa₃, with X=Ge, Sn and Pb. Geometrical optimization of the unit cell are in agreement with the available experimental data. The band structures show that all studied materials are electrical conductors. The analysis of the site and momentum projected densities, charge transfer and total valence charge density shows that the chemical bonding in XNCa₃ compounds is of covalent–ionic nature with the presence of metallic character. The elastic constants and their pressure dependence are calculated using the static finite strain technique. We derived the bulk, shear and Young’s moduli for ideal polycrystalline XNCa₃ aggregates. By analysing the ratio between the bulk and shear moduli, we conclude that XNCa₃ compounds are brittle in nature. We estimated the Debye temperature of XNCa₃ from the average sound velocity.