Magnetoelectronic properties of ferromagnetic compounds Rb2TaZ6 (Z = Cl,Br) for possible spintronic applications

Highly spin-polarized ferromagnetic materials are essential for efficient spintronic devices. Here, 100% spin-polarized compounds Rb₂TaZ₆ (Z = Cl, Br) studied via density functional theory are reported. These compounds show stability in the ferromagnetic phase with cubic symmetry and half metallic behavior, thereby exhibiting a nonzero direct band gap in the spin-down channel and zero band gap in the spin-up configuration. The Ta-d sates contribute mainly to the net magnetic moments as explained by the crystal field theory and density of states. High Curie temperatures of 960.35 and 1021.74 K for Ra₂TaCl₆ and Rb₂TaBr₆, along with maximum spin polarizability, make these compounds favorable for efficient spintronic applications.     

First-principle investigation of XSrH3 (X = K and Rb) perovskite-type hydrides for hydrogen storage

Hydrogen can be utilized as an energy source; therefore, hydrogen storage has received the most appealing examination interest in recent years. The investigations of hydrogen storage applications center fundamentally around the examination of hydrogen capacity abilities of recently presented compounds. XSrH₃ (X = K and Rb) compounds have been examined by density functional theory (DFT) calculations to uncover their different characteristics, as well as hydrogen capacity properties, for the first time. Studied compounds are optimized in the cubic phase, and optimized lattice constants are obtained as 4.77 and 4.99 Å for KSrH₃ and RbSrH₃, respectively. These hydrides have shown negative values of formation enthalpies as they are stable thermodynamically. XSrH₃ might be used in hydrogen storage applications because of high gravimetric hydrogen storage densities, which are 2.33 and 1.71 wt% for KSrH₃ and RbSrH₃, respectively. Moreover, electronic properties confirm the semiconductor nature of these compounds having indirect band gaps of values 1.41 and 1.23 eV for KSrH₃ and RbSrH₃, respectively. In addition, mechanical properties from elastic constants such as Young modulus and Pugh's ratio, also have been investigated, and these compounds were found to satisfy born stability conditions. Furthermore, Pugh's ratio and Cauchy pressure show that these hydrides have a brittle nature. Furthermore, thermodynamic properties such as entropy and Debye temperature have been examined using the quasiharmonic Debye model for different temperatures and pressures.     

Large Hexadecametallic {MnIII–LnIII} Wheels: Synthesis,Structural, Magnetic,and Theoretical Characterization

The synthesis, gas sorption studies, magnetic properties, and theoretical studies of new molecular wheels of core type {Mn^III₈Ln^III₈} (Ln=Dy, Ho, Er, Y and Yb), using the ligand mdeaH₂, in the presence of ortho‐toluic or benzoic acid are reported. From the seven wheels studied the {Mn₈Dy₈} and {Mn₈Y₈} analogues exhibit SMM behavior as determined from ac susceptibility experiments in a zero static magnetic field. From DFT calculations a S=16 ground state was determined for the {Mn₈Y₈} complex due to weak ferromagnetic Mn^III–Mn^III interactions. Ab initio CASSCF+RASSI‐SO calculations on the {Mn₈Dy₈} wheel estimated the Mn^III–Dy^III exchange interaction as ?0.1 cm^?1. This weak exchange along with unfavorable single‐ion anisotropy of Dy^III/Mn^III ions, however, led to the observation of SMM behavior with fast magnetic relaxation. The orientation of the g‐anisotropy of the Dy^III ions is found to be perpendicular to the plane of the wheel and this suggests the possibility of toroidal magnetic moments in the cluster. The {Mn₈Ln₈} clusters reported here are the largest heterometallic Mn^IIILn^III wheels and the largest {3d–4f} wheels to exhibit SMM behavior reported to date.     

A First-Principles Study of C3N Nanostructures: Control and Engineering of the Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Nanosheets,Tubes and Ribbons

Using first-principles calculations we systematically investigate the atomic, electronic and magnetic properties of novel two-dimensional materials (2DM) with a stoichiometry C₃N which has recently been synthesized. We investigate how the number of layers affect the electronic properties by considering monolayer, bilayer and trilayer structures, with different stacking of the layers. We find that a transition from semiconducting to metallic character occurs which could offer potential applications in future nanoelectronic devices. We also study the affect of width of C₃N nanoribbons, as well as the radius and length of C₃N nanotubes, on the atomic, electronic and magnetic properties. Our results show that these properties can be modified depending on these dimensions, and depend markedly on the nature of the edge states. Functionalization of the nanostructures by the adsorption of H adatoms is found induce metallic, half-metallic, semiconducting and ferromagnetic behavior, which offers an approach to tailor the properties, as can the application of strain. Our calculations give insight into this new family of C₃N nanostructures, which reveal unusual electronic and magnetic properties, and may have great potential in applications such as sensors, electronics and optoelectronic at the nanoscale.     

三(三甲基硅烷)类添加剂助力5 V镍锰酸锂电池实用化

基于LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄的5 V电池尚未实现实际应用,解决这一问题的关键在于电解液调控和电极界面优化。我们系统性研究了三（三甲基硅烷）硼酸酯（TMSB）和三（三甲基硅烷）亚磷酸酯（TMSPi）作为常规碳酸乙烯酯（EC）-LiPF₆基电解液添加剂在LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄电池体系中的应用。结合理论计算、物理化学表征以及电化学手段分析了三（三甲基硅烷）类添加剂在高压电解液中的作用机制。研究发现,TMSB和TMSPi均可以通过优化电极/电解液界面来提高LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄循环稳定性和库仑效率。TMSB中缺电子B可与阴离子相互作用,稳定PF₆^-,抑制LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄正极阻抗的持续增加。TMSPi具有更高的最高占据分子轨道（HOMO）能级,可在更低电位下钝化高压正极,提高LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄放电电压平台和放电容量。此外,TMSPi还可通过亲核反应参与石墨界面组分优化,改善负极循环性能。石墨LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄软包电池在含1% TMSPi电解液中1C循环100次后的容量保持率为88.9%,优于基础电解液（60.5%）和含1% TMSB的电解液（77.4%）。     

Structural, thermodynamic and optical properties of MgF2 studied from first-principles theory

A detailed theoretical study of structural, electronic, elastic, thermodynamic and optical properties of rutile type MgF₂ has been carried out by means of first-principles Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations using plane wave pseudo-potentials within the local density approximation and generalized-gradient approximation for the exchange and correlation functionals. The calculated ground state properties and elastic constants agree quite well with experimental values. From the calculated elastic constants we conclude that MgF₂ is relatively hard when compared to other alkaline-earth fluorides and ductile in nature. The thermodynamic properties such as heat capacity, entropy, free energy, phonon density of states and Debye temperatures are calculated at various temperatures from the lattice dynamical data obtained through the quasi-harmonic Debye model. From free energy and entropy it is found that the system is thermodynamically stable up to 1200 K. The imaginary part of the calculated dielectric function ε₂(ω) could reproduce the six prominent peaks which are observed in experiment. From the calculated ε(ω), other optical properties such as refractive index, reflectivity and electron energy-loss spectrum are obtained up to the photon energy range of 30 eV.     

Effects of magnesium substitution on the magnetic properties of Nd0.7Sr0.3MnO3

Effects of magnesium substitution on the magnetic properties of Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ have been investigated by neutron powder diffraction and magnetization measurements on polycrystalline samples of composition Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃, Nd_0.6Mg_0.1Sr_0.3MnO₃, Nd_0.6Mg_0.1Sr_0.3Mn_0.9Mg_0.1O₃, and Nd_0.6Mg_0.1Sr_0.3Mn_0.8Mg_0.2O₃. The pristine compound Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ is ferromagnetic with a transition temperature occurring at about 210 K. Increasing the Mg-substitution causes weakened ferromagnetic interaction and a great reduction in the magnetic moment of Mn. The Rietveld analyses of the neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data at 1.5 K for the samples with Mg concentration, y=0.0 and 0.1, show ferromagnetic Mn moments of 3.44(4) and 3.14(4) μ_B, respectively, which order along the [001] direction. Below 20 K the Mn moments of these samples become canted giving an antiferromagnetic component along the [010] direction of about 0.4 μ_B at 1.5 K. The analyses also show ferromagnetic polarization along [001] of the Nd moments below 50 K, with a magnitude of almost 1 μ_B at 1.5 K for both samples. In the samples with Mg substitution of 0.2 and 0.3 only short range magnetic order occurs and the magnitude of the ferromagnetic Mn moments is about 1.6 μ_B at 1.5 K for both samples. Furthermore, the low-temperature NPD patterns show an additional very broad and diffuse feature resulting from short range antiferromagnetic ordering of the Nd moments.     

Supercritical CO2-induced New Chemical Bond of C−O−Si in Graphdiyne to Achieve Robust Room-Temperature Ferromagnetism

The realization of ferromagnetic ordering of two-dimensional (2D) carbon material graphdiyne (GDY) has attracted great attention due to its promising application in spin semiconductor devices. However, the absence of localized spins makes the pristine GDY intrinsically nonferromagnetic. Herein, we report the realization of robust room-temperature (RT) ferromagnetism (FM) with Curie temperature (T_C) up to 325 K for GDY Nanosheets (GDYNs) by supercritical CO₂ (SC CO₂). Experimental and theoretical calculations reveal that the new chemical bond of C−O−Si can be formed because of the unique effect of SC CO₂, which help to enhance the charge transfer and generates long-range ferromagnetic order. The RT saturation magnetization (M_S) reaches 1.125 emu/g, which is much higher than that of carbon-based materials reported up to now. Meanwhile, by changing the conditions of SC CO₂ such as pressure, ferromagnetic responses can be manipulated, which is great for potential spintronics applications of GDY.     

Structural,Magnetic and Thermoelectric Properties of hp-Mn3Ge5

Mn₃Ge₅ was obtained by high-pressure, high temperature synthesis. The compound adopts a Nowotny-Chimney-Ladder type crystal structure [tetragonal, space group P4 n2, a = 5.7449(1) Å, c = 13.9096(4) Å, Z = 4]. Magnetic measurements reveal a ferromagnetic transition around 40 K and metallic conductivity in the temperature range from 3 K to 350 K. Despite a low thermal conductivity, the metallic character of the sample and the low Seebeck coefficient result in low values for the thermoelectric Figure of merit, ZT. Band-structure calculations show that the Fermi level is located slightly below a pseudo-gap in the electronic density of states. Chemical bonding analysis in position space discloses moderate charge transfer and two- as well as three-atomic directed, heteroatomic bonding involving both the manganese and the germanium atoms.     

Effect of variation of metal and non-metal elements on various properties of rare-earth-based inverse perovskites Gd3XY (X = Ga,In and Y = B,N)

Ferromagnetic rare-earth-based inverse perovskites Gd₃AlX (X = B, N) are studied using hybrid functionals in the framework of density functional theory. Different exchange correlation potentials are employed to analyze the structural parameters and geometry of the materials. The spin polarization and band structure explain the metallic behavior of these materials with high values of magnetic moment. The calculated elastic constants specify all materials are ordered perovskite compounds, among which Gd₃GaB, Gd₃GaN, Gd₃InN are brittle in nature while as Gd₃InB is ductile in nature. The quasi-harmonic Debye model was used to predict the thermodynamic properties of the material. The analysis of thermoelectric properties viz. Seebeck coefficient, electronic and thermal conductivities at higher temperature has been carried out. To check the optoelectronic response of the material various optical properties have been calculated up to 14 eV photon energy range. The competent thermoelectric and optoelectronic properties with high value of magnetic moment and ductile character suggests the application in thermoelectric and electro-optic devices.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Properties of RbMnO2

RbMnO₂ was prepared via the azide/nitrate route. Stoichiometric mixtures of the precursers (Mn₂O₃, RbN₃ and RbNO₃) were heated in a special regime up to 600 °C and annealed at this temperature for 30 h in specially designed silver crucibles. Single crystals have been grown by annealing a 1:1 mixture of Rb₂O and MnO_x at 585 °C for 1200 h. According to the crystal structure determination Mn³⁺ is in a square‐pyramidal coordination by oxygen. These [MnO₅] units form double chains extending along the crystallographic c‐axis. RbMnO₂ shows Curie‐Weiss behaviour down to ～ 100 K. A fit of the susceptibility data yields an average value of the magnetic moment (per manganese atom) of μ_eff = 5.33 μ_B, and θ_p = –820 K. At 50 K and low field strength onset of ferromagnetic order due to spin canting has been observed.     

Synthesis, characterization and applications of vinylsilafluorene copolymers: New host materials for electroluminescent devices

Vinylsilafluorene (VSiF) was successfully synthesized and copolymerized with vinylcarbazole and methyl methacrylate via free radical copolymerization for the first time. The synthesis, photophysical properties, computational modeling studies, and organic light-emitting devices of the VSiF copolymers were presented. The good coordinated photoluminescent (PL) spectra with the absorption of blue light-emitting materials and the high energy band-gap of the VSiF copolymers were observed. Higher triplet band gap (³ E _g) to host the blue phosphorescent emitters and better HOMO and LUMO than PVK for electron and hole injection and transportation of the VSiF model compounds were revealed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The preliminary device results in applications of these copolymers as host materials for green phosphorescent emitters demonstrate the copolymers of VSiF and vinylcarbazole have comparable device performance of polyvinylcarazole (PVK), suggesting a bright future of VSiF as building blocks for host materials.     

Structural,elastic, electronic and thermal properties of the cubic perovskite-type BaSnO3

First-principles calculations are performed to investigate the structural, elastic, electronic and thermal properties of the cubic perovskite-type BaSnO₃. The ground-state properties are in agreement with experimental data. The independent elastic constants, C₁₁, C₁₂ and C₄₄, are calculated from direct computation of stresses generated by small strains. A linear pressure dependence of the elastic stiffnesses is found. From the theoretical elastic constants, we have computed the elastic wave velocities along [100], [110] and [111] directions. The shear modulus, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, Lamé’s coefficients, average sound velocity and Debye temperature are estimated in the framework of the Voigt-Reuss-Hill approximation for ideal polycrystalline BaSnO₃ aggregate. Using the sX-LDA for the exchange-correlation potential, the calculated indirect fundamental band gap value is in very good agreement with the measured one. The analysis of the site-projected l-decomposed density of states, charge transfer and charge density shows that the bonding is of ionic nature. Through the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the phononic effects are considered, the temperature effect on the lattice constant, bulk modulus, thermal expansion coefficient, heat capacity and Debye temperature is calculated.     

Ruthenium(IV) pyrochlore oxides: Realization of novel electronic properties through substitution at A- and B-sites

We describe an exploratory investigation of the structure and electronic properties of new ruthenium(IV) pyrochlore oxides and their manganese-substituted derivatives. Our investigations have revealed several, hitherto unreported, electronic ground states for these materials: a metallic and Pauli paramagnetic state for BiPbRu₂O_6.5 that turns into a semiconducting ferromagnetic spin-glass state at 50 K for BiPbRuMnO_6.5; a metallic state that likely shows a charge density wave (CDW) instability at 50–225 K for Bi_1.50Zn_0.50Ru₂O_6.75 that is suppressed by manganese substitution in Bi_1.50Zn_0.50Ru_1.75Mn_0.25O_6.50; and a metallic ferromagnetic spin-glass like state for Pb₂Ru_1.75Mn_0.25O_6.15. The results indeed affirm the richness of the electronic properties of ruthenium-based metal oxides.     

A thermodynamic analysis of stable and metastable equilibria in Fe-Mn-C alloys

Thermodynamic calculations and an analysis of phase transitions and reactions in the Fe-Mn-C system were performed taking into account all the possible stable and metastable states. Special attention was given to the concentration-temperature range of the existence of cementite-type carbides responsible for metal dusting. It was found that, at the temperature most characteristic of this transformation (873 K), cementite with the complex composition (Fe_{1 − y} Mn _y )₃C was a stable phase. An increase in temperature to 973 K slightly narrowed and deformed the region of (Fe_{1 − y} Mn _y )₃C stability. According to the results obtained, it was likely possible to create iron based metallic materials at manganese concentrations increased to 8–12 wt % stable toward destruction in active hydrogen- and carbon-containing gas media. This conclusion was substantiated experimentally.     

Ab-initio study of electronic,optical, thermal,and transport properties of Cr4AlB6

Theoretical investigation of different physical parameters of Cr₄AlB₆ have been done within the framework of density functional theory. Cr₄AlB₆ is a no band gap material. Its Cr-3d states contributes the most at the Fermi level. Thermal properties are investigated using quasi-harmonic Debye model as implemented in Gibbs code for different values of pressure and temperature. Study of transport property suggests that its electrical conductivity increases nonlinearly with increase in temperature but the relative change in its value is very low whereas its thermal conductivity increases linearly with the increase in temperature and relative increase in thermal conductivity is very high. The behavior of Cr₄AlB₆ is anisotropic and property is ceramic. It has potential applications in making ceramic capacitors. Its reflectivity is high in low energy region. It suggests that material can be used as coating material for far-infrared radiation. Study of the transport property suggests that because of very high value of thermal conductivity, it can be used for heat sink applications.     

The effect of structure and phase transformation on the mechanical properties of Re₂N and the stability of Mn₂N

First‐principles calculations were carried out on recently synthesized Re₂ and Re₃ as well as hypothetical Tc and Mn nitrides. It is found that structure and covalent bonds play an important role in determining mechanical properties. Under a large strain along (0001)〈101 0〉direction, Re₂N undergoes a phase transformation with a slight increase in ideal shear strength. On the other hand, it is transformed into a phase with weaker mechanical properties, if the strain is along Re₂〈1 21 0〉 direction. Mn₂N can be synthesized under moderate conditions due to its more negative formation energy. Re₂N, Re₃N, and Mn₂N show structure‐related mechanical property under larger strains to ReB₂ but exhibit much lower ideal strengths, which is attributed to the larger ionicity of cation–anion bond. Three‐dimensional framework of strong covalent bonds is thus highly recommended to design superhard materials. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011     

A Theoretical Perspective to Decipher the Origin of High Hydrogen Storage Capacity in Mn(II) Metal-Organic Framework

Herein, we report a detailed periodic DFT investigation of Mn(II)-based [(Mn₄Cl)₃(BTT)₈]³⁻ (BTT³⁻=1,3,5-benzenetristetrazolate) metal-organic framework (MOF) to explore various hydrogen binding pockets, nature of MOF…H₂ interactions, magnetic coupling and, H₂ uptake capacity. Earlier experiments found an uptake capacity of 6.9 wt % of H_2, with the heat of adsorption estimated to be ∼10 kJ/mol, which is one among the highest for any MOFs reported. Our calculations unveil different binding sites with computed binding energy varying from −6 to −15 kJ/mol. The binding of H₂ at the Mn²⁺ site is found to be the strongest (site I), with H₂ found to bind Mn²⁺ ion in a η² fashion with a distance of 2.27 Å and binding energy of −15.4 kJ/mol. The bonding analysis performed using NBO and AIM reveal a strong donation of σ (H₂) to the d_z² orbital of the Mn²⁺ ion responsible for such large binding energy. The other binding pockets, such as −Cl (site II) and BTT ligands (site III and IV) were found to be weaker, with the binding energy decreasing in the order I>II>III>IV. The average binding energy computed for these four sites put together is 9.6 kJ/mol, which is in excellent agreement with the experimental value of ∼10 kJ/mol. We have expanded our calculations to compute binding energy for multiple sites simultaneously, and in this model, the binding energy per site was found to decrease as we increased the number of H₂ molecules suggesting electronic and steric factors controlling the overall uptake capacity. The calculated adsorption isotherm using the GCMC method reproduces the experimental observations. Further, the magnetic coupling computed for the unbound MOF reveals moderate ferromagnetic and strong antiferromagnetic coupling within the tetrameric {Mn₄} unit leading to a three-up-one-down spin configuration as the ground state. These were then coupled ferromagnetically to other tetrameric units in the MOF network. The magnetic coupling was found to alter only marginally upon gas binding, suggesting that both exchange interaction and the spin-states are unlikely to play a role in the H₂ uptake. This is contrary to the O₂ uptake studied lately, where strong dependence on exchange-coupling/spin state was witnessed, suggesting exchange-coupling/magnetic field dependent binding as a viable route for gas separation.     

Structural,electronic and elastic properties of the Laves phases WFe2, MoFe2, WCr2 and MoCr2 from first-principles

A theoretical analysis of the phase stability, electronic and mechanical properties, and Debye temperatures of the C14-type Laves phases (WFe₂, MoFe₂, WCr₂ and MoCr₂) has been presented from density functional theory. The phase stability follows the order: WFe₂>MoFe₂>WCr₂>MoCr₂. An exchange of electrons takes place between Fe and W/Mo atoms, and there is also electron transfer between Cr and W/Mo. The W–W and Mo–Mo bonds are of the valence character, while the Fe–W/Mo and Cr–W/Mo bonds are of ionic character. The bonding force of A–A is greater than that of A–B in C-14 AB₂ type Laves phases (WFe₂, MoFe₂, WCr₂ and MoCr₂). The ductility of MoCr₂ is higher than others. The hardness of WFe₂ (14.1 GPa) is the highest, and the hardness of MoCr₂ is the lowest. The incompressibility for these laves phases along c-axis is larger than that along a-axis. The Debye temperature (θ_D) of MoFe₂ is 619 K, which is the highest in those phases. These laves phases also have high melting points, which follows the order: WFe₂>MoFe₂>WCr₂>MoCr₂.     

In Situ Growth of Hierarchical Ni-Mn-O Solid Solution on a Flexible and Porous Ni Electrode for High-Performance All-Solid-State Asymmetric Supercapacitors

To endow all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors with high energy density, cycling stability, and flexibility, we design a binder-free supercapacitor electrode by in situ growth of well-distributed broccoli-like Ni_0.75Mn_0.25O/C solid solution arrays on a flexible and three-dimensional Ni current collector (3D-Ni). The electrode consists of a bottom layer of compressed but still porous Ni foam with excellent flexibility and high electrical conductivity, an intermediate layer of interconnected Ni nanoparticles providing a large specific surface area for loading of active substances, and a top layer of vertically aligned mesoporous nanosheets of a Ni_0.75Mn_0.25O/C solid solution. The resultant 3D-Ni/Ni_0.75Mn_0.25O/C cathode exhibits a specific capacitance of 1657.6 mF cm⁻² at 1 mA cm⁻² and shows no degradation of the capacitance after 10 000 cycles at 3 mA cm⁻². The assembled 3D-Ni/Ni_0.75Mn_0.25O/C//activated carbon asymmetric supercapacitor has a high specific capacitance of 797.7 mF cm⁻² at 2 mA cm⁻² and an excellent cycling stability with 85.3 % of capacitance retention after 10 000 cycles at a current density of 3 mA cm⁻². The energy density and power density of the asymmetric supercapacitor are up to 6.6 mW h cm⁻³ and 40.8 mW cm⁻³, respectively, indicating a fairly promising future of the flexible 3D-Ni/Ni_0.75Mn_0.25O/C electrode for efficient energy storage applications.