First-principles study of atomic and electronic structures of kaolinite in soft rock

Kaolinite is a kind of clay mineral which often causes large deformations in soft-rock tunnel engineering and thus causes safety issues. To deal with these engineering safety issues, the physical/chemical properties of the kaolinite should be studied from basic viewpoints. By using the density-functional theory, in this paper, the atomic and the electronic structures of the kaolinite are studied within the local-density approximation (LDA). It is found that the kaolinite has a large indirect band gap with the conduction band minimum (CBM) and the valence band maximum (VBM) being at the Γ and the B points, respectively. The chemical bonding between the cation and the oxygen anion in kaolinite is mainly ionic, accompanied by a minor covalent component. It is pointed that the VBM and the CBM of kaolinite consist of oxygen 2p and cation s states, respectively. The bond lengths between different cations and anions, as well as of the different OH groups, are also compared.     

Atomic and electronic structures of montmorillonite in soft rock

Montmorillonite is a kind of clay mineral which often causes large deformation in soft-rock tunnel engineering and thus brings about safety problems in practice. To deal with these engineering safety problems, the physical and chemical properties of montmorillonite should be studied from basic viewpoints. We study the atomic and electronic structures of montmorillonite by using density-functional theory within the local-density approximation (LDA). The results of calculation show that Al--O bond lengths are longer than Si--O bond lengths. It is found that both the valence band maximum (VBM) and the conduction band minimum (CBM) of montmorillonite are at point Γ, and the calculated direct band gap of montmorillonite is 5.35~eV. We show that the chemical bonding between cations and oxygen anions in montmorillonite is mainly ionic, accompanied as well by a minor covalent component. It is pointed out that the VBM and CBM of montmorillonite consist of oxygen 2p and cation s states, respectively. Our calculated results help to understand the chemical and physical properties of montmorillonite, and are expected to be a guide for solving the problem of large deformation of soft-rock tunnels.     

Uniaxial strain-modulated electronic structures of CdX (X = S,Se, Te) from first-principles calculations:A comparison between bulk and nanowires

Using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory, we systematically study the structural deformation and electronic properties of wurtzite CdX(X = S, Se, Te) bulk and nanowires(NWs) under uniaxial [0001] strain. Due to the intrinsic shrinking strain induced by surface contraction, large NWs with {10ˉ10} facets have heavy hole(HH)-like valence band maximum(VBM) states, while NWs with {11ˉ20} facets have crystal hole(CH)-like VBM states. The external uniaxial strain induces an HH–CH band crossing at a critical strain for both bulk and NWs, resulting in nonlinear variations in band gap and hole effective mass at VBM. Unlike the bulk phase, the critical strain of NWs highly depends on the character of the VBM state in the unstrained case, which is closely related to the size and facet of NWs. The critical strain of bulk is at compressive range, while the critical strain of NWs with HH-like and CH-like VBM appears at compressive and tensile strain, respectively. Due to the HH–CH band crossing, the charge distribution of the VBM state in NWs can also be tuned by the external uniaxial strain. Despite the complication of the VBM state, the electron effective mass at conduction band minimum(CBM) of NWs shows a linear relation with the CBM–HH energy difference, the same as the bulk material.     

Electric field effect in ultrathin zigzag graphene nanoribbons

The electric field effect in ultrathin zigzag graphene nanoribbons containing only three or four zigzag carbon chains is studied by first-principles calculations, and the change of conducting mechanism is observed with increasing in-plane electric field perpendicular to the ribbon. Wider zigzag graphene nanoribbons have been predicted to be spin-splitted for both valence band maximum(VBM) and conduction band minimum(CBM) with an applied electric field and become half-metal due to the vanishing band gap of one spin with increasing applied field. The change of VBM for the ultrathin zigzag graphene nanoribbons is similar to that for the wider ones when an electric field is applied. However, in the ultrathin zigzag graphene nanoribbons, there are two kinds of CBMs, one is spin-degenerate and the other is spin-splitted, and both are tunable by the electric field. Moreover, the two CBMs are spatially separated in momentum space. The conducting mechanism changes from spin-degenerate CBM to spin-splitted CBM with increasing applied electric field. Our results are confirmed by density functional calculations with both LDA and GGA functionals, in which the LDA always underestimates the band gap while the GGA normally produces a bigger band gap than the LDA.     

Negative band gaps in dilute InNxSb1-x alloys

A thin layer of InNSb has been fabricated by low energy nitrogen implantation in the near-surface region of InSb. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that nitrogen occupies approximately 6% of the anion lattice sites. High-resolution electron-energy-loss spectroscopy of the conduction band electron plasma reveals the absence of a depletion layer for this alloy, thus indicating that the Fermi level is located below the valence band maximum (VBM). The plasma frequency for this alloy combined with the semiconductor statistics indicates that the Fermi level is located above the conduction band minimum (CBM). Consequently, the CBM is located below the VBM, indicating a negative band gap material has been formed. These measurements are consistent with k.p calculations for InN0.06Sb0.94 that predict a semimetallic band structure.     

Be掺杂纤锌矿ZnO电子结构的第一性原理研究

采用密度泛函理论结合投影缀加波方法,对Be掺杂导致ZnO禁带宽度增加的机理进行了研究.通过对掺杂前后电子能带结构、总态密度以及分态密度的计算和比较,发现导带底(CBM)是由Be 2s电子与Zn 4s电子共同控制;而Be_xZn_1-xO价带顶 (VBM)始终由O 2p电子占据.随着掺杂量的增加,决定带隙宽度的CBM的位置上升,同时VBM的位置下降,从而导致了带隙的变宽,出现了蓝移现象.此外,Be掺杂会使晶胞发生压缩,这种压应变也是导致Be 关键词： 密度泛函理论 电子结构 Be掺杂ZnO     

First principle study of nitrogen vacancy in aluminium nitride

In the framework of density functional theory, using the plane-wave pseudopotential method, the nitrogen vacancy ($V_{\rm N})$ in both wurtzite and zinc-blende AlN is studied by the supercell approach. The atom configuration, density of states, and formation energies of various charge states are calculated. Two defect states are introduced by the defect, which are a doubly occupied single state above the valance band maximum (VBM) and a singly occupied triple state below the conduction band minimum (CBM) for wurtzite AlN and above the CBM for zinc-blende AlN. So $V_{\rm N}$ acts as a deep donor in wurtzite AlN and a shallow donor in zinc-blende AlN. A thermodynamic transition level $E({3 + } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{3 + } + }} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} + )$ with very low formation energy appears at 0.7 and 0.6eV above the VBM in wurtzite and zinc-blende structure respectively, which may have a wide shift to the low energy side if atoms surrounding the defect are not fully relaxed. Several other transition levels appear in the upper part of the bandgap. The number of these levels decreases with the structure relaxation. However, these levels are unimportant to AlN properties because of their high formation energy.     

FeS2(pyrite)电子结构与光学性质的密度泛函计算

采用局域密度近似的自洽密度泛函理论计算了FeS2的电子结构与光学性质。费米能级附近区域的能带与态密度计算表明价带极大值在X（100）点和导带极小值在G（000）点，直接带隙和音接带隙分别为0.74eV、0.6eV。并用电子结构信息精确计算了介质极化矩阵元，从而给出了FeS2的介电函数虚部及相关光学参量，理论结果与实验符合甚佳。     

Cd掺杂纤锌矿ZnO电子结构的第一性原理研究

采用密度泛函理论结合投影缀加波方法，对掺杂Cd导致ZnO禁带宽度下降的机理进行了研究. 通过对掺杂前后电子能带结构，态密度以及分态密度的计算和比较，发现Cd_xZn_1-xO价带顶端(VBM)始终由O-2p占据；而导带顶端(CBM)则由Cd-5s与Zn-4s杂化轨道控制. 随着掺杂浓度的增加，决定带隙宽度的CBM的位置下降，同时VBM的位置上升，从而导致了带隙的变窄，出现了红移现象. 此外，Cd掺杂会使晶胞发生膨胀，这种张应变也是导致Cd     

Cd掺杂纤锌矿ZnO电子结构的第一性原理研究

采用密度泛函理论结合投影缀加波方法,对掺杂Cd导致ZnO禁带宽度下降的机理进行了研究. 通过对掺杂前后电子能带结构,态密度以及分态密度的计算和比较,发现Cd_xZn_1-xO价带顶端(VBM)始终由O-2p占据;而导带顶端(CBM)则由Cd-5s与Zn-4s杂化轨道控制. 随着掺杂浓度的增加,决定带隙宽度的CBM的位置下降,同时VBM的位置上升,从而导致了带隙的变窄,出现了红移现象. 此外,Cd掺杂会使晶胞发生膨胀,这种张应变也是导致Cd 关键词： 密度泛函理论 电子结构 Cd掺杂ZnO     

A model for the band gap energy of the N-rich GaN1−xAsx (0<x≤0.07) and the As-rich GaN1−xAsx (0.95≤x≤1)

In this paper, a model for the band gap energy of the N-rich GaNAs (0<x≤0.07) and the As-rich GaNAs (0.95<x≤1) is developed. For the N-rich GaNAs, The parameters describing the variation of the CBM and the VBM in the N-rich GaNAs are obtained by fitting the experimental data. For the As-rich GaNAs, the parameters in the model are obtained by fitting the experimental data of the band gap energy. It is found that the band gap evolution of the N-rich energy is different from that of the As-rich band gap energy. The model may be used to calculate the band gap energy of other dilute group III-N–V nitrides.     

FP-LMTO calculations of the structural,elastic, thermodynamic,and electronic properties of the ideal-cubic perovskite BiGaO3

Using the first-principles full-potential linear muffin-tin orbital method within the local density approximation, we have studied the structural, elastic, thermodynamic, and electronic properties of the ideal-cubic perovskite BiGaO₃. It is found that this compound has an indirect band gap. The valence band maximum (VBM) is located at Γ-point, whereas the conduction band minimum (CBM) is located at X-point. The pressure and volume dependences of the energy band gaps have been calculated. The elastic constants at equilibrium are also determined. We derived the bulk and shear moduli, Young’s modulus, and Poisson’s ratio. The thermodynamic properties are predicted through the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the lattice vibrations are taken into account. The variation of the bulk modulus, heat capacities, and Debye temperature with pressure and temperature are successfully obtained.     

Exploring the electronic structure of Pb2+ ions containing material Pb16(OH)16(NO3)16

A theoretical band structure calculation for lead nitrate hydroxide Pb₁₆(OH)₁₆(NO₃)₁₆ single crystal was performed based on the experimental crystallographic data obtained by Chang et al. Calculations exhibit that the conduction band minimum (CBM) is situated at Γ the center of the Brillouin zone (BZ) while the valence band maximum (VBM) is located between Γ and Y points of the BZ, resulting in an indirect energy band gap of about 3.70 eV in close agreement to the measured one (3.78 eV). The angular momentum resolved projected density of states reveals the existence of the strong hybridization between the orbitals and the VBM is originated from Pb-6s/6p and O-2p orbitals while the CBM from N-2p and Pb-6p orbitals. The calculated valence electronic charge density distribution explore the bond characters and the dominancy of the covalent bonding between Pb–O of PbO_n ployhedra and N–O of [NO₃]⁻ triangle. The calculated bond lengths and angles show good agreement with the experimental data.     

Electronic structures and energy band properties of Be- and S-doped wurtzite ZnO

The energy band properties, density of states, and band alignment of the BexZn1-xO1-ySy alloy （Be- and S-doped wurtzite ZnO） are investigated by the first-principles method. BexZn1-xO1-ySy alloy is a direct band gap semiconductor, the valence band maximum （VBM） and the conduction band minimum （CBM） of BexZn1-xO1-ySy are dominated by S 3p and Zn 4s states, respectively. The band gap and lattice constant of BexZn1-xO1-ySy alloy can be modulated by changing the doped content values x and y. With the increase in Be content value x in the BexZnl-xOl-ySy alloy, the band gap increases and the lattice constant reduces, but the situation is just the opposite when increasing the S content value y in the BexZn1-xO1-ySy alloy. Because the lattice constant of Be0.375Zn0.625O0.75S0.25 alloy is well matched with that of ZnO and its energy gap is large compared with that of ZnO, so the Be0.375Zn0.625O0.75S0.25 alloy is suitable for serving as the blocking material for a high-quality ZnO-based device.     

Electronic properties of orthorhombic LiGaS<Subscript>2</Subscript> and LiGaSe<Subscript>2</Subscript>

We report theoretical calculations of the band structure and density of states for orthorhombic LiGaS₂ (LGS) and LiGaSe₂ (LGSe). These calculations are based on the full potential linear augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within a framework of density functional theory. Our calculations show that these crystals have similar band structures. The valence band maximum (VBM) and the conduction band minimum (CBM) are located at Γ, resulting in a direct energy band gap. The VBM is dominated by S/Se-p and Li-p states, while the CBM is dominated by Ga-s, S/Se-p and small contributions of Li-p and Ga-p. From the partial density of states we find that Li-p hybridizes with Li-s below the Fermi energy (E _F), while Li-s/p hybridizes with Ga-p below and above E _F. Also, we note that S/Se-p hybridizes with Ga-s below and above E _F.     

六角氮化硼(h-BN)对单层硒化铟(InSe)的调制效应及这一新结构的电子性质

采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理计算和分析了三种InSe/h-BN异质结的结构和电子性质.研究发现InSe/h-BN异质结具有间接带隙特点,并且价带顶和导带底的贡献均来自于InSe,差分电荷密度表明体系中没有明显的电荷交换.通过体系能带结构,我们发现h-BN层对单层InSe有着明显的调控效应.对比纯粹应变调控下单层的InSe的能带结构,发现h-BN对InSe能带结构的调控效应实际上是由InSe和h-BN之间的相互作用而诱导的晶格应变引起的.我们的研究结果表明,单层InSe沉积或生长在不同h-BN片上可以获得不同的晶格应变,实现对单层InSe能带结构的有效调控.     

Magnetic proximity effect induced spin splitting in two-dimensional antimonene/Fe3GeTe2 van der Waals heterostructures

Recently, two-dimensional van der Waals (vdW) magnetic heterostructures have attracted intensive attention since they can show remarkable properties due to the magnetic proximity effect. In this work, the spin-polarized electronic structures of antimonene/Fe₃GeTe₂ vdW heterostructures were investigated through the first-principles calculations. Owing to the magnetic proximity effect, the spin splitting appears at the conduction-band minimum (CBM) and the valence-band maximum (VBM) of the antimonene. A low-energy effective Hamiltonian was proposed to depict the spin splitting. It was found that the spin splitting can be modulated by means of applying an external electric field, changing interlayer distance or changing stacking configuration. The spin splitting energy at the CBM monotonously increases as the external electric field changes from -5 V/nm to 5 V/nm, while the spin splitting energy at the VBM almost remains the same. Meanwhile, as the interlayer distance increases, the spin splitting energies at the CBM and VBM both decrease. The different stacking configurations can also induce different spin splitting energies at the CBM and VBM. Our work demonstrates that the spin splitting of antimonene in this heterostructure is not singly dependent on the nearest Sb—Fe distance, which indicates that magnetic proximity effect in heterostructures may be modulated by multiple factors, such as hybridization of electronic states and the local electronic environment. The results enrich the fundamental understanding of the magnetic proximity effect in two-dimensional vdW heterostructures.     

First-principles energy band calculation for undoped and N-doped InTaO4 with layered wolframite-type structure

The electronic structures of undoped and N-doped InTaO₄ with optimized structures are calculated within the framework of the density functional theory. Calculated lattice constants are in excellent agreement with experimental values, within a difference of 2%. The valence band maximum (VBM) is located near the middle point on the ZD line and the conduction band minimum (CBM) near the middle point on the DX line. This means that InTaO₄ is an indirect-gap material and a minimum theoretical gap between VBM and CBM is ca. 3.7 eV. The valence band in the range from −6.0 to 0 eV mainly consists of O 2p orbitals, where In 4d5s5p and Ta 5d orbitals are slightly hybridized with O 2p orbitals. On the other hand, the conduction band below 5.5 eV is mainly composed of the Ta 5d orbitals and the contributions of In and O orbitals are small. The band gap of N-doped InTaO₄ decreases by 0.3 eV than that of undoped InTaO₄, because new gap states originating from N 2p orbitals appear near the top of the valence band. This result indicates that doping of N atoms into metal oxides is a useful method to develop photocatalysts sensitive to visible light.     

The structural,electronic, and optical properties of organic–inorganic mixed halide perovskites CH_3NH_3Pb(I_(1-y)X_y)_3(X = Cl,Br)

Methylammmonium lead iodide perovskites(CH_3NH_3PbI_3) have received wide attention due to their superior optoelectronic properties. We performed first-principles calculations to investigate the structural, electronic, and optical properties of mixed halide perovskites CH_3NH_3Pb(I_(1-y)X_y)_3(X = Cl, Br; y = 0, 0.33, 0.67). Our results reveal the reduction of the lattice constants and dielectric constants and enhancement of band gaps with increasing doping concentration of Cl-/Br-at I-. Electronic structure calculations indicate that the valance band maximum(VBM) is mainly governed by the halide p orbitals and Pb 6 s orbitals, Pb 6 p orbitals contribute the conduction band minimum(CBM) and doping does not change the direct semiconductor material. The organic cation [CH_3NH_3]~+does not take part in the formation of the band and only one electron donates to the considered materials. The increasing trends of the band gap with Cl content from y = 0(0.793 eV) to y = 0.33(0.953 eV) then to y = 0.67(1.126 eV). The optical absorption of the considered structures in the visible spectrum range is decreased but after doping the stability of the material is improving.