First-principles prediction of crystal structure and physical properties of ScB3

The crystal structure of ScB₃ is seeked by combining the developed particle swarm optimisation algorithm for crystal structure prediction with first-principles calculations. A new monoclinic phase with the C2/m symmetry is predicted successfully, which is energetically more superior to the early reported R-3m-, P2₁/m-, P6₃/mmc-, P-6m2-, Pnma-, and Pm-3m-type structures in the pressure range from 0 to 100?GPa. The obtained elastic constants and phonon dispersion curve reveal that the C2/m-ScB₃ is mechanically and dynamically stable. The predicted large bulk module, high shear modulus, small Poisson’s ratio as well as the considerable hardness indicate that the C2/m-ScB₃ has outstanding mechanical property. Meanwhile, the dependences of the bulk modulus and Young’s modulus of ScB₃ on the crystal orientation are investigated theoretically. Through applying the strain–stress method, the ideal tensile and shear strengths along different crystal directions are also estimated, and the obtained results confirm that the shear mode dominates the failure mode in the C2/m-ScB₃ structure and it is intrinsically a hard material. The electronic structure calculation and chemical bonding analysis illustrate that the strong covalent B-B and Sc-B bonds are responsible for its structural stability and high hardness.     

Investigation of tetragonal ReN2 and WN2 with high shear moduli from first-principles calculations

Two new transition metal dinitrides, ReN₂ and WN₂, with the P4/mmm structure are investigated by the first-principles calculations. The computed shear moduli of 327 GPa for ReN₂ and 334 GPa for WN₂ exceed those of all transition metal dinitrides previously reported. The estimated theoretical hardness are 46.3 GPa for ReN₂ and 47.9 GPa for WN₂, respectively. The calculated high shear moduli and hardness indicate that they are potential ultrahard materials. It is important to note that the computed hardness of the weakest bond are 34.7 GPa (W-N) for WN₂ and 33.1 GPa (Re-N) for ReN₂, much higher than that of 21.1 GPa (Re-B) for ReB₂, which suggests that tetragonal ReN₂ and WN₂ are probably harder than ReB₂. The total and partial electron density of states and the electron localization function for ReN₂ and WN₂ are analyzed. We attribute the high bulk modulus, shear modulus, and hardness to a three-dimensional covalently bonded framework in tetragonal ReN₂ and WN₂. Our calculations show that tetragonal ReN₂ is expected to be synthesized above 62.7 GPa and tetragonal WN₂ may be hard to be synthesized.     

Ab initio calculations for properties of MAX phases Ti2InC,Zr2InC,and Hf2InC

We have computed the lattice constants, bulk modulus, and total- and partial-density of states of MAX phases Ti₂InC, Zr₂InC and Hf₂InC in the hexagonal P6₃/mmc space group by ab initio calculation. The deviations from the experimental values for lattice constants are below 1.6%. The bulk moduli are computed to be 128 GPa, 113 GPa, and 136 GPa, respectively. The Zr₂InC has the lowest bulk modulus among all MAX phases studied to date, which is related to the weaker covalent interaction between Zr-d and C-s, C-p states.     

First-principles study of structural stability and elastic property of pre-perovskite PbTiO3

The structural stability and the elastic properties of a novel structure of lead titanate, which is named pre-perovskite PbTiO₃ (PP-PTO) and is constructed with TiO₆ octahedral columns arranged in a one-dimensional manner, are investigated by using first-principles calculations. PP-PTO is energetically unstable compared with conventional perovskite phases, however it is mechanically stable. The equilibrium transition pressures for changing from pre-perovskite to cubic and tetragonal phases are -0.5 GPa and -1.4 GPa, respectively, with first-order characteristics. Further, the differences in elastic properties between pre-perovskite and conventional perovskite phases are discussed for the covalent bonding network, which shows a highly anisotropic character in PP-PTO. This study provides a crucial insight into the structural stabilities of PP-PTO and conventional perovskite.     

Structural stability and mechanical properties of Be3N2 under high pressure

Abstract

A theoretical investigations on the structural stability and mechanical properties of Be₃N₂ crystallising in α and β phases was performed using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. The obtained ground state structure and mechanical properties are in excellent agreement with the available experimental and theoretical data. A full elastic tensor and crystal anisotropy of Be₃N₂ in two phases are determined in the wide pressure range. Results indicated that the two phases of Be₃N₂ are mechanically stable and strongly pressure dependent in the range of pressure from 0 to 80 GPa. The superior mechanical properties show that the two phases of Be₃N₂ are potential candidate structures to be the hard material. And the α-Be₃N₂ has better mechanical properties than β-Be₃N₂. By the calculated B/G ratio, it is predicted that both phases are intrinsically brittleness and strongly prone to ductility when the pressure is above 65.6 and 68.5 GPa, respectively. Additionally, the pressure-induced elastic anisotropy analysis indicates that the elastically anisotropic of Be₃N₂ in both phases is strengthening with increasing pressure, and strongly dependent on the propagation direction.     

Theoretical study on the phase stability,elasticity, hardness and electronic structures of Ni–P compounds

A systematic investigation concerned with phase stability, elastic properties, hardness and relevant electronic structure of Ni–P compounds (Ni₃P, Ni₁₂P₅, Ni₂P, Ni₅P₄, NiP, NiP₂ and NiP₃) was carried out using first principles calculations. The calculated results show that the Ni–P compounds have strong hardness, ranging from 7.80–14.54 GPa. Also, the hardness values gradually increase with the P content. Electronic structure analysis shows that the strong Ni–P and part of P–P hybrid orbitals play important roles in the hardness of these compounds. The calculated elastic constants indicated that the Ni₃P, Ni₁₂P₅ and NiP₂ phases are significantly anisotropic, the NiP and Ni₂P exhibit some anisotropy, while the Ni₅P₄ and NiP₃ show a relatively isotropic character. At last, the properties of these Ni–P compounds including lattice constants, thermodynamic stability, elastic constants C_ij, bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young's modulus E and Poisson's ratio ν have been calculated.     

Thermal stability of tungsten and tungsten nitride Schottky contacts to AlGaN/GaN

Thin tungsten nitride (WNx) films were produced by reactive DC magnetron sputtering of tungsten in an Ar-N2 gas mixture. The films were used as Schottky contacts on AlGaN/GaN heterostructures. The Schottky behaviours of WNx contact was investigated under various annealing conditions by current-voltage (I-V ) measurements. The results show that the gate leakage current was reduced to 10-6 A/cm2 when the N2 flow is 400 mL/min. The results also show that the WNx contact improved the thermal stability of Schottky contacts. Finally, the current transport mechanism in WNx/AlGaN/GaN Schottky diodes has been investigated by means of I-V characterisation technique at various temperatures between 300 K and 523 K. A TE model with a Gaussian distribution of Schottky barrier heights (SBHs) is thought to be responsible for the electrical behaviour at temperatures lower than 523 K.     

Pressure-induced phase transition and structural properties of CrO2

The structural properties and pressure-induced phase transitions of CrO₂ have been investigated using the pseudopotential plane-wave method based on the density functional theory (DFT). The rutile-type (P4₂/mnm), CaCl₂-type (Pnnm), pyrite-type (Pā3), and CaF₂-type (Fm-3m) phases of CrO₂ have been considered. The structural properties such as lattice parameters, bulk moduli and its pressure derivative are consistent with the available experimental data. The second-order phase-transition pressure of CrO₂ from the rutile phase to CaCl₂ phase is 10.9?GPa, which is in good agreement with the experimental result. The sequence of these phases is rutile-type?→?CaCl₂-type?→?pyrite-type?→?CaF₂-type with the phase-transition pressures 10.9, 23.9, and 144.5?GPa, respectively. The equation of state of different phases has also been presented. It is more difficult to compress with the increase of pressure for different phases of CrO₂.     

Melting curve of copper measured to 16 GPa using a multi-anvil press

The melting temperature, T _m, of copper has been determined from ambient pressure to 16 GPa using multi-anvil techniques. The melting curve obtained (T _m=1355(5)+44.5(31)P?0.61(21)P ², with T _m in Kelvin and P in GPa) is in good agreement with both the previous experimental studies and with recent ab initio calculations.     

Prediction of novel ultra-incompressibility compounds TM2B (TM=Mo,W, Re and Os) by first-principles calculations

Abstract

Several novel ultra-incompressibility compounds TM₂B (TM = Mo, W, Re and Os) have been predicted by means of the first-principles calculations. Those novel compounds were assumed to have a ReB₂-type structure [P6₃/mmc space group (No.194, Z = 2), atomic sites: TM 4f (2/3, 1/3, z), B 2c (1/3, 2/3, 1/4)]. We calculated the mechanical properties of the TM₂B, and the results reveal that they exhibit brittle behaviour and mechanically stable. The hardness values are 23.8 GPa, 23.3 GPa, 26.6 GPa and 26.3 GPa for Mo₂B, W₂B, Re₂B and Os₂B, respectively, which suggests that they are hard materials. Additionally, we found that the anisotropy of Re₂B is weaker than the others. Finally, the Mo₂B has the highest Debye temperature (905.8 K), while Os₂B has the lowest Debye temperature (615.5 K). We hoped that our results can help to offer a theoretical data for future experimental work and application of TM₂B.     

Structural,mechanical, and electronic properties of P21/m-Carbon✰

The structural, mechanical, and electronic properties of P2₁/m-carbon were comprehensively investigated by using first principles calculations. Our calculated structure parameters are in good agreement with the previous theoretical values. P2₁/m-carbon consists of 10 atoms in a unit cell and is made of an exclusively sp³ hybridized bonding network. The calculated phonon spectra and elastic constant verify that P2₁/m-carbon is dynamically and mechanically stable at ambient pressure. The analysis of the electronic band structure reveals that P2₁/m-carbon is an insulator with a band gap of 5.47 eV. It has a large bulk moduli of 398 GPa and a high shear moduli of 457 GPa. Further mechanical properties demonstrate that P2₁/m-carbon is prone to be ductile and possesses a high Vickers hardness value of 82.3 GPa. These values show that P2₁/m-carbon simultaneously possesses ultra-incompressible and the superhard property. Furthermore, the X-ray diffraction spectra is also theoretically simulated to provide more structure information for future experimental observations.     

First-principles calculations of the structural,elastic, electronic and optical properties of Si2P2O and Ge2P2O at high pressures

The structures of Si₂P₂O and Ge₂P₂O with the space group Cmc21 are derived. The structural, mechanical, elastic anisotropy, electronic and optoelectronic properties are calculated by first principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) with generalized gradient approximation (GGA) at high pressure for Si₂P₂O and Ge₂P₂O. By using the elastic stability criteria, it is shown that their structures are all stable. The phonon dispersion spectra are researched throughout the Brillouin zone as implemented in the CASTEP code, which indicates that the optimized structures are stable dynamically. The brittle/ductile behaviors are assessed in the pressures from 0 GPa to 50 GPa. Our calculations present that the performances of them become ductile with pressure rise. Moreover, the anisotropies of them are discussed by the Young's moduli at different pressure, and the results indicate that the anisotropies of them are obvious. The direct band structures of Ge₂P₂O and the indirect band gap of Si₂P₂O show that Si₂P₂O and Ge₂P₂O present semiconducting character at 0 GPa and 50 GPa. The band structures of Si₂P₂O are changed obviously with the increase of pressure. The total DOS originate mainly from O ‘s’ states, O ‘p’ states, P ‘s’ states and P ‘p’ states and M ‘p’ states (M=Si, Ge). The trends of DOS for Si₂P₂O and Ge₂P₂O display many similarities, and the change of DOS is obviously affected by the pressure for Si₂P₂O. The optoelectronic properties of them are researched. The calculated static dielectric constants, ɛ₁(0), are 3.2 at 0 GPa and 6.4 at 50 GPa for Si₂P₂O, and the values of Ge₂P₂O are 10.2 and 9.2 at 0 GPa and 50 GPa.     

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.     

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.     

Theoretical predictions of the structural,mechanical and lattice dynamical properties of XW2 (X = Zr,Hf) Laves phases

We have investigated the structural, mechanical and lattice dynamical properties of ZrW₂ and HfW₂ compounds in cubic C15 (space group Fd-3m), hexagonal C14 (space group P6₃/mmc) and C36 (space group P6₃/mmc) phases using generalized gradient approximation within the plane-wave pseudo-potential density functional theory. We have found that ZrW₂ and HfW₂ in cubic C15 phase are the most stable among the considered phases. From calculated elastic constants, it is shown that all phases are mechanically stable according to the elastic stability criteria. The related mechanical properties, such as bulk, shear and Young moduli, Poisson’s ratio, Debye temperature and hardness have been also calculated. The results show that ZrW₂ and HfW₂ compounds are ductile in nature with respect to the B/G and Cauchy pressure analysis. The phonon dispersion curves, phonon density of states and some thermodynamic properties are computed and discussed exhaustively for considered phases.     

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.     

Phase transition, structural and thermodynamic properties of Mg2Si polymorphs

The plane-wave pseudo-potential method within the framework of first principles is used to investigate the structural and elastic properties of Mg 2 Si in its intermediate pressure(Pnma) and high pressure phases(P 6 3 /mmc).The lattice constants,the band structures.The bulk moduli of the Mg 2 Si polymorphs are presented and discussed.The phase transition from anti-cotunnite to Ni 2 In-type Mg 2 Si is successfully reproduced using a vibrational Debye-like model.The phase boundary can be described as P = 24.02994 + 3.93 × 10 3 T 4.66816 × 10 5 T 2 2.2501 × 10 9 T 3 + 2.33786 × 10 11 T 4.To complete the fundamental characteristics of these polymorphs we have analysed thermodynamic properties,such as thermal expansion and heat capacity,in a pressure range of 0-40 GPa and a temperature range of 0-1300 K.The obtained results tend to support the available experimental data and other theoretical results.Therefore,the present results indicate that the combination of first principles and a vibrational Debye-like model is an efficient scheme to simulate the high temperature behaviours of Mg 2 Si.     

Electroresistance of some semiconductors in the phase transition region at high pressure

Abstract

In apparata of liquid type piston-cylinder up to 2GPa and toroid with solid anvil up to 25 GPa pressure (P) electrial resistance R(P) in sphere of phase transition (PT) CdSnAs₂,SnTeInP,GaAs is investigated, and GaP at T = 300K, and also R(T,P) VTSP YB₂Cu₃0_6+x in sphere of superconductive transition. In order to describe the substance behaviour in the vicinity of PT, that is, the region of gapped change of R the approximation geterophased structure is used - the effective environment (model GSEE) which checks different configuration of phases inserts and their dependence from P. In order to picture the solid substance behaviour in the vicinity of point PT at high pressure (HP) different methods are used [1–8].     

Compressibility of Fe1.087Te: a high pressure X-ray diffraction study

Fe_1.087Te exhibits three phases in the pressure range from ambient to 16.6?GPa and becomes amorphous at higher pressures. All three phases have tetragonal symmetry. The low pressure T-phase is stable in the pressure range 0≤P<4.1?GPa and is found to be relatively soft having zero pressure bulk modulus B ₀=36(1)?GPa. The intermediate cT-phase is less compressible with B ₀=88(5)?GPa and stable in the pressure range 4.1≤P<10?GPa while a more compressible phase was observed between 10 and 16.6?GPa.     

First-Principles Study of Pressure-Induced Phase Transition in CuGaO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

We have studied the structural, elastic, electronic properties, and pressure-induced phase transition of CuGaO₂ by using the plane-wave ultrasoft pseudopotential technique based on the first-principles density-functional theory (DFT). The obtained ground state properties of three phases were in agreement with previous works. The calculated enthalpy variations with pressure showed that the structural phase transition (β → 3R/2H) appeared at 65.5 ± 1 GPa. The changes in volume and band gap of β phase showed that there was a break between 30 and 40 GPa. The independent elastic constants of three phases were calculated. The 3R, 2H, and β phases were all mechanical stability and behaved in ductile manner under zero pressure.