First-principles calculation of the lattice compressibility, elastic anisotropy and thermodynamic stability of V2GeC

We investigate the elastic and the thermodynamic properties of nanolaminate V₂GeC by using the ab initio pseudopotential total energy method. The axial compressibility shows that the c axis is always stiffer than the a axis. The elastic constant calculations demonstrate that the structural stability is within 0-800 GPa. The calculations of Young's and shear moduli reveal the softening behaviour at about 300 GPa. The Possion ratio makes a higher ionic or a weaker covalent contribution to intra-atomic bonding and the degree of ionicity increases with pressure. The relationship between brittleness and ductility shows that V₂GeC is brittle in ambient conditions and the brittleness decreases and ductility increases with pressure. Moveover, we find that V₂GeC is largely isotropic in compression and in shear, and the degree of isotropy decreases with pressure. The Gr黱eisen parameter, the Debye temperature and the thermal expansion coefficient are also successfully obtained for the first time.     

Electronic and high pressure elastic properties of RECd and REHg (RE=Sc,La and Yb) intermetallic compounds

Structural, electronic, elastic and mechanical properties of Cd and Hg based rare earth intermetallics (RECd and REHg; RE=Sc, La and Yb) have been investigated using the full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave (FP-LAPW) method within the density-functional theory (DFT). The ground state properties such as lattice constant (a₀), bulk modulus (B) and its pressure derivative (B′) have been obtained using optimization method and are found in good agreement with the available experimental results. The calculated enthalpy of formation shows that LaHg has the strongest alloying ability and structural stability. The electronic band structures and density of states reveal the metallic character of these compounds. The structural stability mechanism is also explained through the electronic structures of these compounds. The chemical bonding between rare earth atoms and Cd, Hg is interpreted by the charge density plots along (1 1 0) direction. The elastic constants are predicted from which all the related mechanical properties like Poisson’s ratio (σ), Young’s modulus (E), shear modulus (G_H) and anisotropy factor (A) are calculated. The ductility/brittleness of these intermetallics is predicted. Chen’s method has been used to predict the Vicker’s hardness of RECd and REHg compounds. The pressure variation of the elastic constants is also reported in their B₂ phase.     

First-principle study of the electronic structure and magnetism in RuSr<Subscript>2</Subscript>GdCu<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript> under pressure

We have performed a first-principle calculation of the structural, electronic and high pressure properties of RuSr₂GdCu₂O₈, a ferromagnetic superconductor, by employing a full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave method within the density-functional theory. The effect of pressure was achieved by varying the volume of the unit cell with constant a:b:c ratio. The experimentally observed anti-phase rotation of RuO₆ octahedra has been attributed to the residual forces on O_Ru which results in shear strain in the RuO₂ layer. Partial charge analysis shows that applying pressure up to 6 GPa leads to hole creation in the CuO₂ sheets which causes increase in the superconducting transition temperature. We have estimated the Curie temperature T _M of this compound in the mean-field approximation using Heisenberg model with first-nearest neighbor exchange interactions determined from DFT calculations for parallel and anti-parallel spin configurations of Ru moment in RuO₂ planes. The effect of pressure causes the magnetic moment of Ru atoms to decrease due to the increase of hybridization between the adjacent Ru atoms. The calculated exchange splitting in Cu d _{x 2 - y 2} states increases slightly with pressure but it is still very small that it does not affect superconductivity, and the hole doping mechanism is dominant.     

First-principles calculation of the lattice compressibility, elastic anisotropy and thermodynamic stability of V2GeC

We investigate the elastic and the thermodynamic properties of nanolaminate V2GeC by using the ab initio pseudopotential total energy method.The axial compressibility shows that the c axis is always stiffer than the a axis.The elastic constant calculations demonstrate that the structural stability is within 0-800 GPa.The calculations of Young’s and shear moduli reveal the softening behaviour at about 300 GPa.The Possion ratio makes a higher ionic or a weaker covalent contribution to intra-atomic bonding and the degree of ionicity increases with pressure.The relationship between brittleness and ductility shows that V2GeC is brittle in ambient conditions and the brittleness decreases and ductility increases with pressure.Moveover,we find that V2GeC is largely isotropic in compression and in shear,and the degree of isotropy decreases with pressure.The Grüneisen parameter,the Debye temperature and the thermal expansion coefficient are also successfully obtained for the first time.     

Dimerization in Honeycomb Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>RuO<Subscript>3</Subscript> under Pressure: a DFT Study

The structural properties of Na₂RuO₃ under pressure are studied using density functional theory within the nonmagnetic generalized gradient approximation (GGA). We found that one may expect a structural transition at ～3 GPa. This structure at the high-pressure phase is exactly the same as the low-temperature structure of Li₂RuO₃ (at ambient pressure) and is characterized by the P2₁/m space group. Ru ions form dimers in this phase and one may expect strong modification of the electronic and magnetic properties in Na₂RuO₃ at pressure higher than 3 GPa.     

Elastic,electronic and thermodynamic properties of fluoro-perovskite KZnF3 via first-principles calculations

The elastic, electronic and thermodynamic properties of fluoro-perovskite KZnF₃ have been calculated using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method. The exchange-correlation potential is treated with the generalized gradient approximation of Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (GGA-PBE). Also, we have used the Engel and Vosko GGA formalism (GGA-EV) to improve the electronic band structure calculations. The calculated structural properties are in good agreement with available experimental and theoretical data. The elastic constants C _ij are calculated using the total energy variation with strain technique. The shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio and the Lamé coefficients for polycrystalline KZnF₃ aggregates are estimated in the framework of the Voigt-Reuss-Hill approximations. The ductility behavior of this compound is interpreted via the calculated elastic constants C _ij . Electronic and bonding properties are discussed from the calculations of band structure, density of states and electron charge density. The thermodynamic properties are predicted through the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the lattice vibrations are taken into account. The variation of bulk modulus, lattice constant, heat capacities and the Debye temperature with pressure and temperature are successfully obtained.     

First-principles study of elastic and electronic properties of layered ternary nitride SrZrN2 under pressure

The structural, elastic, and electronic properties of SrZrN₂ under pressure up to 100?GPa have been carried out with first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. The calculated lattice parameters at 0?GPa and 0?K by using the GGA-PW91-ultrasoft method are in good agreement with the available experimental data and other previous theoretical calculations. The pressure dependence of the elastic constants and the elastic-dependent properties of SrZrN₂, such as bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young's modulus E, Debye temperature Θ, shear and longitudinal wave velocity V_S and V_L, are also successfully obtained. It is found that all elastic constants increase monotonically with pressure. When the pressure increases up to 140?GPa, the obtained elastic constants do not satisfy the mechanical stability criteria and a phase transition might has occurred. Moreover, the anisotropy of the directional-dependent Young's modulus and the linear compressibility under different pressures are analysed for the first time. Finally, the pressure dependence of the total and partial densities of states and the bonding property of SrZrN₂ are also investigated.     

First-principles study of structural,elastic, electronic and optical properties of RDX under pressure

ABSTRACT

The influences of pressure on structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of α-RDX under pressure from 0 to 40?GPa have been investigated by performing first-principles calculations. The obtained structural parameters based on the GGA-PBE+G calculations are consistent with previous experimental values. The results of B/G, C₁₂-C₄₄ and Poisson's ratio show that α-RDX has changed to ductility under pressure between 0 and 5?GPa. The obvious rotation of NO₂ group in the equatorial position appears, especially in the range of pressure from 10 to 15?GPa, which influences the elastic and mechanical properties of α-RDX. Moreover, we find that the electrons of α-RDX become more active under higher pressure by comparing the curves of DOS under different pressure. Furthermore, the anisotropy of optical properties under different pressures has been shown.     

Ab-initio study of structural,electronic, elastic and mechanical properties of RuAl1−xGax (x=0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1)

We have used special quasirandom structure to study the structural, electronic, elastic and mechanical properties of RuAl_1−xGa_x alloys for different compositions (x=0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1) using a FP-LAPW method based on Density Functional Theory. The exchange and correlation potential is treated within the generalized gradient approximation. Ground state properties such as lattice constant (a₀), bulk modulus (B), its pressure derivative (B′) and elastic constants are calculated. The ductility of these alloys has been analyzed by calculating the ratio of B/G_H, Cauchy pressure (C₁₂–C₄₄) and Frantsevich rule. From this study RuAl and RuGa are found to be brittle, but their alloys show ductile behavior; RuAl_0.50Ga_0.50 is found to be most ductile. Mechanical properties such as Poisson's ratio (σ), Young's moduli (E), and the ratio of elastic anisotropy factor (A) are estimated. We have also correlated the ductility and bonding behavior of these alloys.     

Theoretical study of the structural, elastic, electronic and thermal properties of the MAX phase Nb2SiC

Structural, elastic, electronic and thermal properties of the MAX phase Nb₂SiC are studied by means of a pseudo-potential plane-wave method based on the density functional theory. The optimized zero pressure geometrical parameters are in good agreement with the available theoretical data. The effect of high pressure, up to 40 GPa, on the lattice constants shows that the contractions along the c-axis were higher than those along the a-axis. The elastic constants C_ij and elastic wave velocities are calculated for monocrystal Nb₂SiC. Numerical estimations of the bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, average sound velocity and Debye temperature for ideal polycrystalline Nb₂SiC aggregates are performed in the framework of the Voigt-Reuss-Hill approximation. The band structure shows that Nb₂SiC is an electrical conductor. The analysis of the atomic site projected densities and the charge density distribution shows that the bonding is of covalent-ionic nature with the presence of metallic character. The density of states at Fermi level is dictated by the niobium d states; Si element has a little effect. Thermal effects on some macroscopic properties of Nb₂SiC are predicted using the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the lattice vibrations are taken into account. The variations of the primitive cell volume, volume expansion coefficient, bulk modulus, heat capacity and Debye temperature with pressure and temperature in the ranges of 0-40 GPa and 0-2000 K are obtained successfully.     

First-principles investigations on structural,elastic, electronic properties and Debye temperature of orthorhombic Ni3Ta under pressure

The structural, elastic, electronic properties and Debye temperature of Ni₃Ta under different pressures are investigated using the first-principles method based on density functional theory. Our calculated equilibrium lattice parameters at 0 GPa well agree with the experimental and previous theoretical results. The calculated negative formation enthalpies and elastic constants both indicate that Ni₃Ta is stable under different pressures. The bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young’s modulus E and Poisson’s ratio ν are calculated by the Voigt–Reuss–Hill method. The bigger ratio of B/G indicates Ni₃Ta is ductile and the pressure can improve the ductility of Ni₃Ta. In addition, the results of density of states and the charge density difference show that the stability of Ni₃Ta is improved by the increasing pressure. The Debye temperature Θ _D calculated from elastic modulus increases along with the pressure.     

Predictions of mechanical and thermodynamic properties of Mg17Al12 and Mg2Sn from first-principles calculations

Using first-principles calculations, we predict mechanical and thermodynamic properties of both Mg₁₇Al₁₂ and Mg₂Sn precipitates in Mg–Al–Sn alloys. The elastic properties including the polycrystalline bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Lame’s coefficients and Poisson’s ratio of both Mg₁₇Al₁₂ and Mg₂Sn phases are determined with the Voigt–Reuss–Hill approximation. Our results of equilibrium lattice constants agree closely with previous experimental and other theoretical results. The ductility and brittleness of the two phases are characterized with the estimation from Cauchy pressure and the value of B/G. Mechanical anisotropy is characterized by the anisotropic factors and direction-dependent Young’s modulus. The higher Debye temperature of Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase means that it has a higher thermal conductivity and strength of chemical bonding relative to Mg₂Sn. The anisotropic sound velocities also indicate the elastic anisotropies of both phase structures. Additionally, density of states and Mulliken population analysis are performed to reveal the bonding nature of both phases. The calculations associated with phonon properties indicate the dynamical stability of both phase structures. The temperature dependences of thermodynamic properties of the two phases are predicted via the quasi-harmonic approximation.     

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.     

Mechanical anisotropy and thermoacoustic properties of SnO2 under high pressures: an ab initio approach

The effects of hydrostatic pressures on the electronic, thermoacoustic and elastic anisotropies of SnO₂ in the rutile structure is analyzed up to 18 GPa. It is found that the polycrystalline bulk modulus B increases from 227 to 312 GPa between 0 and 18 GPa while the Young and shear moduli slightly decrease with pressures. The resulting polycrystalline ductility increases with pressures. The speed of the sound for longitudinal waves increases with pressure, while the transverse polarizations and the Debye temperature decrease. Large crystal anisotropy for the shear planes {001} between ? 110? and ? 010? directions under pressures, associated with the phase transition to the Cl₂Ca, is found.     

High-pressure studies on electronic and mechanical properties of FeBO3 (B = Ti,Mn, Cr) ceramics – a first-principles study

Using the density functional theory (DFT) method, the electronic and mechanical properties of perovskites FeBO₃ (B = Ti, Mn, Cr) nanostructures were studied in the pressure range of 0–100 GPa. The band structure studies show the change in the band structure upon substitution of different B cation in FeBO₃ perovskite structure. The density of states spectrum gives the perception of change in the electronic properties of FeBO₃ with the substitution of B cation. The bulk, shear and Young's moduli were calculated and an increase in the moduli is noticed. Moreover, the hardness increases under high pressure. The high-pressure studies of FeBO₃ perovskite nanostructures are explored at atomistic level. The findings show that ductility and hardness of FeBO₃ get increased upon an increase in the applied pressure. The substitution of Ti, Mn and Cr on FeBO₃ shows a significant change in the electronic and mechanical properties.     

Structural, electronic and elastic properties of Ti2TlC, Zr2TlC and Hf2TlC

Using First-principle calculations, we have studied the structural, electronic and elastic properties of M₂TlC, with M = Ti, Zr and Hf. Geometrical optimization of the unit cell is in good agreement with the available experimental data. The effect of high pressures, up to 20 GPa, on the lattice constants shows that the contractions are higher along the c-axis than along the a axis. We have observed a quadratic dependence of the lattice parameters versus the applied pressure. The band structures show that all three materials are electrical conductors. The analysis of the site and momentum projected densities shows that bonding is due to M d-C p and M d-Tl p hybridizations. The M d-C p bonds are lower in energy and stiffer than M d-Tl p bonds. The elastic constants are calculated using the static finite strain technique. We derived the bulk and shear moduli, Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio for ideal polycrystalline M₂TlC aggregates. We estimated the Debye temperature of M₂TlC from the average sound velocity. This is the first quantitative theoretical prediction of the elastic properties of Ti₂TlC, Zr₂TlC, and Hf₂TlC compounds that requires experimental confirmation.      

The under-pressure behaviour of mechanical,electronic and optical properties of calcium titanate and its ground state thermoelectric response

Abstract

In this study, the elastic, electronic, optical and thermoelectric properties of CaTiO₃ perovskite oxide have been investigated using first-principles calculations. The generalised gradient approximation (GGA) has been employed for evaluating structural and elastic properties, while the modified Becke Johnson functional is used for studying the optical response of this compound. In addition to ground state physical properties, we also investigate the effects of pressure (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 GPa) on the electronic structure of CaTiO₃. The application of pressure from 0 to 90 GPa shows that the indirect band gap (Γ-M) of CaTiO₃ increases with increasing pressure and at 120 GPa it spontaneously decreases transforming cubic CaTiO₃ to a direct (Γ-Γ) band gap material. The complex dielectric function and some optical parameters are also investigated under the application of pressures. All the calculated optical properties have been found to exhibit a shift to the higher energies with the increase of applied pressure suggesting potential optoelectronic device applications of CaTiO₃. The thermoelectric properties of CaTiO₃ have been computed at 0 GPa in terms of electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient.     

Elasticity, electronic structure, chemical bonding and optical properties of monoclinic ZrO2 from first-principles

Structural parameters as well as elastic, electronic, bonding and optical properties of monoclinic ZrO₂ were investigated using the plane-wave ultrasoft pseudopotential technique based on the first-principles density-functional theory (DFT). The calculated structural properties and independent elastic constants of monoclinic ZrO₂ are in favorable agreement with previous work. We have derived the bulk and shear moduli, Young’s modulus and Poisson coefficients for monoclinic ZrO₂ and estimated the Debye temperature of monoclinic ZrO₂ from acoustic velocity. Electronic and bonding properties are studied from the calculation of band structure, densities of states and charge densities. Furthermore, in order to clarify the mechanism of optical transitions in monoclinic ZrO₂, the dielectric functions are calculated and analyzed by means of the electronic structure, which shows significant optical anisotropy in the components of polarization directions (1 0 0), (0 1 0) and (0 0 1).     

Elastic stability and electronic structure of low energy tetragonal and monoclinic PdN2 and PtN2

This paper studies the elastic and electronic structure properties of two new low-energy structures of PdN2 and PtN2 by first-principles calculations.It finds that tetragonal and monoclinic structures are more stable than a pyrite one.The always positive eigenvalues of the elastic constant matrix confirm that both the tetragonal and monoclinic structures are elastically stable.The origin of the low bulk modulus of the two structures is discussed.The results of the calculated density of states show that both of the two low-energy structures are metallic.     

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.