Elastic properties and electronic structures of typical Al–Ce structures from first-principles calculations

The elastic property and electronic structure of three typical Al–Ce structures have been studied by means of first-principles calculations within GGA approximation. The optimized structural parameters for these precipitates agree very well with experimental data. The obtained negative cohesive energy and formation enthalpy show that all of these precipitates have strong structural stability. Elastic constants as well as other mechanical parameters such as bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young’s modulus E and Poisson’s ratio ν for these phases are computed and discussed. The calculated electronic densities of state and charge distribution show the covalent features of Ce–Ce and Al–Ce bonding in three phases, which reveals the underlying mechanism for the elastic properties of these Al–Ce structures.     

Structural,electrochemical, electronic,and magnetic properties of monoclinic LixV2(PO4)3 for x = 3, 2, 1 using first-principles calculations

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Monoclinic lithium vanadium phosphate Li3V2(PO4)3 is a very promising cathode candidate for applications in Li-ion batteries, with a high operational...     

First-principles calculations to investigate structural,electronic, optical,and transport properties of half-Heusler VFeZ (Z = N and P) compounds

This research work investigates the structural, electronic, optical, and thermoelectric characteristics of VFeZ (Z = N and P) half-Heusler compounds. The study employs the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method integrated into the WIEN2K algorithm, serving as the underpinning framework for density functional theory (DFT) analysis. In the study, we use the PBE generalized gradient approximation (PBE-GGA) to identify numerous parameters associated with structural and elastic properties. Lattice parameter results are in agreement with previous outcomes. Moreover, computed elastic parameters satisfy the criterion for stability. In the cubic structure VFeZ (Z = N and P) is ductile, to enhance the computations of electronic characteristics, Tran and Blaha's modified Becke-Johnson potential (TB-mBJ) is used. Our simulations demonstrate that the materials exhibit semiconductor behavior, with a direct band gap for VFeZ (Z = N and P). Strong UV absorption is found via optical experiments suggest compounds are suitable for optical application. Furthermore, study of the thermoelectric properties suggests its application in the thermoelectric generators.     

Periodic DFT study of structural,electronic, absorption,and thermodynamic properties of crystalline α-RDX under hydrostatic compression

Periodic density functional theory calculations have been performed to study the structural, electronic, absorption, and thermodynamic properties of crystalline α-RDX under hydrostatic compression of 0–50 GPa. As the pressure increases, its lattice parameters, bond lengths, bonds angels, torsion angles, cell volumes, and band structure crystal change regularly except at the pressure of 13 GPa, where a structural transformation occurs. The remarkable changes in the bond lengths and bond angles indicate that there are several possible initiation decomposition mechanisms of RDX under compression. An analysis of density of states shows that the interactions between electrons, especially for the valence electrons, are strengthened under the influence of pressure. The absorption spectra show that the structural transformation makes the absorption coefficient of C–H stretching increase significantly. An analysis of thermodynamic properties indicates that the structural transformation is endothermic and not spontaneous at room temperature. The increasing temperature is not favorable for the structural transformation.     

First principle studies on structural,electronic, elastic,optical, and thermoelectric properties of XGeCl3 (X = Rb/Cs): Promising compounds for green energy application

This study employed density functional theory (DFT) embedded in Wien2K code to evaluate the physical features of the XGeCl₃ (X = Rb/Cs) cubic halide perovskites. The structural optimization has been performed considering generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and electronic properties have been computed considering modified Becke-Johnson potential (mBJ). The formation energy and phonon dispersion analysis establish the stability of the investigated compounds. Mechanical stability is further confirmed by the computed diverse elastic coefficients. It has been discovered that the examined substances are naturally ductile. The refractive index, reflectivity, and absorption coefficient, are among the optical parameters that have been estimated and analyzed. Interesting results have been obtained for the transport properties of XGeCl₃ (X = Rb/Cs). The XGeCl₃ (X = Rb/Cs) exhibits a high Seebeck coefficient (X = Rb/Cs) and the largest figure of merit (about 0.99), indicating significant potential for thermoelectric applications.     

Sintering, microstructures and dielectric properties of Ba1−xPbx(Ti1−xLix)O3−3xF3x ferroelectric ceramics

Various compositions (1−x)BaTiO₃ + xPbF2 + xLiF were prepared, shaped to pellets then sintered at 900°C for 2 h in gold sealed tubes. The purity and the symmetry of the obtained samples were checked by X-ray diffraction. A new solid solution with Ba_1−x Pb _x (Ti_1−x Li _x ) O_3−3x F_3x formula occurs in the composition range 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20. SEM observations were performed on polished and fractured ceramics. The complex permittivity was measured as a function of temperature (−120°C ≤ T ≤ 250°C) and frequency (50 Hz ≤ f ≤ 4 × 10⁷ Hz). The dielectric performances are the best for ceramic Ba_0.97Pb_0.03(Ti_0.97Li_0.03)O_2.91F_0.09. The real component ε′, exhibits a maximum of approximately 7500 at the ferroelectric Curie temperature T _C ≈ -18°C, the dielectric losses tan δ value being 0.012. At room temperature, the relaxation frequency f _r is around 40 MHz for this ceramic. This novel ferroelectric oxifluoride is a promising material for applications, in particular in the field of Z5U multilayer capacitors.      

First-principles calculations on the structures,magnetic, and electronic properties of the (Fe2N)m (m = 1–4) and (Fe3N)n (n = 1–3) clusters

The structures, magnetic, and electronic properties of the ground-state (Fe₂N)_m (m?=?1–4) and (Fe₃N)_n (n?=?1–3) clusters have been investigated by using first-principles. The structure of the (Fe₂N)_m and (Fe₃N)_n clusters is a compromise that the N atoms approach more Fe atoms and the N atoms repel each other. The structural stabilities of the (Fe₂N)_m and (Fe₃N)_n clusters increase with the increasing of the N ratio except for the Fe₆N₃ clusters. The (Fe₂N)_m (m?=?1–4) and Fe₉N₃ clusters exhibit more kinetic stabilities than pure iron clusters. The N substitution can decrease the average spin densities of small iron clusters except for the Fe₆N₂ and Fe₈N₄ clusters. The Fe–N bonds exhibit certain covalent bond characteristics.

     

Nonstoichiometry and structural intergrowth in the CaFexMn1−xO3−y (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) system

An electron diffraction and microscopy study of the CaFe_xMn_1−xO_3−y system treated at 1100°C in air has been performed. An increase of y is accompanied by an increase of the cubic perovskite substructure parameter, the nonstoichiometry being accommodated in several ways. The system contains two solid solutions of the perovskite-type (P) and of the brownmillerite-type (B) and also an intermediate phase (x = 0.6) which makes disordered intergrowth with the B-type solid solution. These results are discussed in terms of multitwinning, randomly dispersed oxygen deficiency, and ordered and disordered intergrowth formation.     

Synthesis and optical properties of quasi-2D CdS x Se1 − x nanoparticles

Colloidal 2D CdS _x Se_{1 ? x} nanoparticles have been synthesized by a solution method in octadecene using oleic acid as a stabilizer. Growth of quasi-2D nanoparticles has been promoted by the presence of cadmium acetate in the reaction mixture. The resulting nanoparticles are platelets with lateral sizes 20–30 nm. The absorption and luminescence spectra of these nanoparticles show narrow bands of lh-e and hh-e exciton transitions corresponding to 2D systems. The spectral position of the lowest energy hh-e transition monotonically changes within 382–461 nm with a change in the composition of nanoparticles. The observed absorption bands are broader than those for the individual CdSe and CdS nanoparticles. The suggested method makes it possible to vary the exciton band position for quasi-2D nanoparticles by changing their composition.     

Electrical properties of Ba2(In1 − x Al x )2O5 solid solutions

The electric conductivity of perovskite-like Ba₂(In_{1 ? x} Al _x )₂O₅ solid solutions (0 < x ≤ 0.20) characterized by structural disordering in the oxygen sublattice was studied as a function of temperature and partial pressure of oxygen in an atmosphere with a low content of water vapors ( $p_{H_2 O}$ = 3 × 10^?5 atm). When In³⁺ was partially replaced by Al³⁺, the oxygen ion conductivity increased because of the disordering of oxygen structural vacancies, leading to a significant increase in the total electric conductivity of the samples.     

Adhesive and electrical properties of the interface between Pb1 − x Mn x Te Crystals and In-Ag-Au alloy

The effect of annealing of Pb_{1 ? x} Mn _x Te crystals at ～690 K and structures on their basis at ～383 K on the adhesive and electric properties of the interface in the Pb_{1 ? x} Mn _x Te-(In-Ag-Au) structure was studied over the temperature range ～77–300 K. The contacts possessed high adhesive strength. The effect of annealing on contact resistance r _c was determined by a change in the specific resistance of crystals, diffusion of Ag atoms into the near-contact area of crystals, and the formation of intermediate phases of the Ag₂Te type at the interface.     

Atoms state and interatomic interactions in perovskite-like oxides: XXXII. Formation of paramagnetic clusters in the La1−0.33x Ca0.33x Fe x Al1−x O3 and La1−0.33x Sr0.33x Fe x Al1−x O3 solid solutions

Calcium- and strontium-containing lanthanum orthoferrites have been studied using magnetic dilution method. It has been shown that the iron-atom clusters with competing ferro- and antiferromagnetic exchange interactions can exist. By using Mossbauer spectroscopy, Fe(IV) atoms have been found in the La_1?0.33x Ca_0.33x Fe_xAl_1?x O₃ solid solutions and Fe(III) atoms in two different surroundings have been found in the La_1?0.33x Sr_0.33x Fe _x Al_1?x O₃ solid solutions. The compositions of paramagnetic clusters stable at the infinite dilution have been proposed basing of the magnetic susceptibility and Mossbauer spectroscopy data.     

The electronic structure and properties of Ni1−xLixO1−y (0⩽x⩽1/4, 0⩽y⩽1/8)

The electronic structures of NiO, Ni_0.875O, NiO_0.875, Ni_0.875Li_0.125O, Ni_0.875Li_0.125O_0.875 and Ni_0.75Li_0.25O_0.875 with a NaCl-type crystal structure have been calculated using the ab initio linear muffin-tin orbitals method in the LSDA+U approximation. The effect of vacancies in the metal and metalloid sublattices and lithium ions on parameters of the NiO electronic spectrum (the energy gap and the valence band widths, etc.) has been analyzed. It is shown that the defects like the dipole LiV_O and the tripole LiV_OLi impaired stability and could reduce electrical conductivity of the nickel–oxide-based phases.     

Structure and electronic properties and phase stabilities of the Cd(1-x)Zn(x)S solid solution in the range of 0≤x≤1

As an excellent bandgap-engineering material, the Cd(1-x)Zn(x)S solid solution, is found to be an efficient visible light response photocatalyst for water splitting, but few theoretical studies have been performed on it. A better characterization of the composition dependence of the physical and optical properties of this material and a thorough understanding of the bandgap-variation mechanism are necessary to optimize the design of high-efficience photocatalysts. In order to get an insight into these problems, we systematically investigated the crystal structure, the phase stability, and the electronic structures of the Cd(1-x)Zn(x)S solid solution by means of density functional theory calculations. The most energetically favorable arrangement of the Cd, Zn, S atoms and the structural disorder of the solid solution are revealed. The phase diagram of the Cd(1-x)Zn(x)S solid solution is calculated based on regular-solution model and compared with the experimental data. This is the first report on the calculated phase diagram of this solid solution, and can give guidance for the experimental synthesis of this material. Furthermore, the variation of the electronic structures versus x and its mechanism are elaborated in detail, and the experimental bandgap as a function of x is well predicted. Our findings provide important insights into the experimentally observed structural and electronic properties, and can give theoretical guidelines for the further design of the Cd(1-x)Zn(x)S solid solution.     

Vibrational spectra and electrophysical properties of a NASICON phase of variable composition Na1 − x Co1 − x Sc1 + x (MoO4)3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5)

Subsolidus phase ratios of the Na₂MoO₄-CoMoO₄-Sc₂(MoO₄)₃ system have been studied by X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, and vibrational spectroscopy. A phase of variable composition Na_{1 ? x} Co_{1 ? x} Sc_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5 having NASICON structure (space group \(R\bar 3c\) ) and triple molybdate NaCo₃Sc(MoO₄)₅ crystallizing in triclinic system (space group \(P\bar 1\) ) have been obtained. The high conductivity of Na_{1 ? x} Co_{1 ? x} Sc_{1 + x} (MoO₄)₃ allows the phase of variable composition to be regarded as a promising sodium-ion conducting solid electrolyte.     

First principles study of the electronic and magnetic structures and bonding properties of UCoC2 ternary,characteristic of C–C units

The electronic structure of UCoC₂, a di-carbide with the C–C units is examined from ab initio with an assessment of the properties of chemical bonding. The energy–volume equation of state shows large anisotropy effects due to C–C alignment along tetragonal c-axis leading to high linear incompressibility. Relevant features of selective bonding of uranium and cobalt with carbon at two different Wyckoff sites and strong C–C interactions are remarkable. The vibrational frequencies for C⋯C stretching modes indicate closer behavior to aliphatic C–C rather than CC double bond. A ferromagnetic ground state is proposed from the calculations.     

Crystal structural, magnetic, and transport properties of layered cobalt oxyfluorides, Sr2CoO(3+x)F(1-x) (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15)

The crystal structure of the layered cobalt oxyfluoride Sr(2)CoO(3)F synthesized under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions has been determined from neutron powder diffraction and synchrotron powder diffraction data collected at temperatures ranging from 320 to 3 K. This material adopts the tetragonal space group I4/mmm over the measured temperature range and the crystal structure is analogous to n = 1 Ruddlesden-Popper type layered perovskite. In contrast to related oxyhalide compounds, the present material exhibits the unique coordination environment around the Co metal center: coexistence of square pyramidal coordination around Co and anion disorder between O and F at the apical sites. Magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity measurements reveal that Sr(2)CoO(3)F is an antiferromagnetic insulator with the Néel temperature T(N) = 323(2) K. The magnetic structure that has been determined by neutron diffraction adopts a G-type antiferromagnetic order with the propagation vector k = (1/2 1/2 0) with an ordered cobalt moment μ = 3.18(5) μ(B) at 3 K, consistent with the high spin electron configuration for the Co(3+) ions. The antiferromagnetic and electrically insulating states remain robust even against 15%-O substation for F at the apical sites. However, applying pressure exhibits the onset of the metallic state, probably coming from change in the electronic state of square-pyramidal coordinated cobalt.     

Synthesis,structures and magnetic properties of two 2D → 3D entangled Cobalt(II) coordination polymers

Two Co(II) coordination polymers, namely Co(HBTC)(4-bpdb)·H₂O (1) and Co(HBTC)(3-bpdb)·H₂O (2) (H₃BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 4-bpdb = 1,4-bis-(4-pyridyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene, 3-bpdb = 1,4-bis(3-pyridyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3- butadiene), have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized both structurally and magnetically. Compound 1 exhibits a (2D → 3D) polythreaded architecture. It is assembled from HBTC^2? ligands to form a 2D puckered (4,4) layer plus 4-bpdb ligands which are orientated above and below each layer. The structure of compound 2 consists of a 2D (3,5) wavelike sheet constructed from HBTC^2? anions and 3-bpdb spacers. The uncoordinated carboxyl groups of the HBTC^2? ligands protrude from both sides of the wavelike sheet to form a 2D → 3D interdigitated motif. The magnetic properties of both compounds are also investigated, indicating antiferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent metal centers.