First-principles study of structural,elastic, electronic and optical properties of perovskites XCaH3 (X = Cs and Rb) under pressure

The stability, structural parameters, elastic constants, electronic and optical properties of perovskites CsCaH₃ and RbCaH₃ were investigated by the density functional theory. The calculated lattice parameters are in agreement with previous calculation and experimental data. The energy band structures, density of states, born-effective-charge and Mulliken charge population were obtained. The perovskites CsCaH₃ and RbCaH₃ present a direct band gap of 3.15 eV and 3.27 eV at equilibrium. The top of the valence bands reflects the s electronic character for both structures. Furthermore, the absorption spectrum, refractive index, extinction coefficient, reflectivity, energy-loss spectrum, and dielectric function were calculated. The origin of the spectral peaks was interpreted based on the electronic structures. The static dielectric constant and refractive index are indeed, inverse proportional to the direct band gap.     

Theoretical prediction of the structural,elastic, electronic,optical and thermal properties of the cubic perovskites CsXF3 (X = Ca,Sr and Hg) under pressure effect

Some physical properties of the cubic perovskites CsXF₃ (X = Ca, Sr and Hg) have been investigated using pseudopotential plane-wave method based on the density functional theory. The calculated lattice parameters within GGA and LDA agree reasonably with the available experimental data. The elastic constants and their pressure derivatives are predicted using the static finite strain technique. We derived the bulk and shear moduli, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio and Lamé’s constants for ideal polycrystalline aggregates. The analysis of B/G ratio indicates that CsXF₃ (X = Ca, Sr and Hg) are ductile materials. The thermal effect on the volume, bulk modulus, heat capacity and Debye temperature was predicted.     

Structural, electronic and elastic properties of MAX phases M2GaN (M = Ti, V and Cr)

Based on first-principles total energy calculations, we have investigated the systematic trends for structural, electronic and elastic properties of the MAX phases M₂GaN depending on the type of M transition metal (M are Ti, V and Cr). The optimized zero pressure geometrical parameters: the two unit cell lengths (a, c), the internal coordinate z and the bulk modulus are calculated. The results for the lattice constants are in agreement with the available experimental data. The band structures show that all studied materials are electrical conductors. The analysis of the site-projected l-decomposed density of states shows that bonding is due to M d-N p and M d-Ga p hybridizations. The elastic constants are calculated using the static finite strain technique. The shear modulus C₄₄, which is directly related to the hardness, reaches its maximum when the valence electron concentration is in the range 10.5–11.0. The isotropic elastic moduli, namely, bulk modulus (B), shear modulus (G), Young's modulus (E) and Poisson's ratio (σ) are calculated in framework of the Voigt–Reuss–Hill approximation for ideal polycrystalline M₂GaN aggregates. We estimated the Debye temperature of M₂GaN from the average sound velocity. This is the first quantitative theoretical prediction of the electronic structures, and elastic constants and related properties for Ti₂GaN, V₂GaN and Cr₂GaN compounds that require experimental confirmation.     

Theoretical study of the structural,elastic, electronic and optical properties of XCaF3 (X = K and Rb)

The PLANE WAVE pseudo-potential method within density functional theory (DFT) has been used to investigate the structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of XCaF₃ (X = K and Rb) insulating. The studied compounds show a weak resistance to shear deformation compared to the resistance to the unidirectional compression. KCaF₃ and RbCaF₃ are considered ductile. The elastic constants and related parameters were predicted. The stiffness is more important in KCaF₃, whereas, the lateral expansion is more important in RbCaF₃. KCaF₃ and RbCaF₃ have R- Г indirect band gap. The main peaks in the imaginary part of the dielectric function correspond to the transition from the occupied state F₋p to the unoccupied states Ca: s or K, Rb: p. At lower energies, KCaF₃ and RbCaF₃ show the same optical properties. Under pressure effect, the peaks of imaginary part of dielectric function were shifted toward high energy.     

Exploring high pressure structural transformations,electronic properties and superconducting properties of MH2 (M = Nb,Ta)

The high-pressure structures and properties of MH₂ (M = Nb, Ta) are explored through an ab initio evolutionary algorithm for crystal structure prediction and first-principles calculations. It is found that NbH₂ undergoes a phase transition from a cubic Fm$\overline{3}$m structure with regular NbH₈ cubes to an orthorhombic Pnma structure with fascinating distorted NbH₉ tetrakaidecahedrons at 48.8 GPa, while the phase transition pressure of TaH₂ from a hexagonal P6₃mc phase with slightly distorted TaH₇ decahedron to an orthorhombic Pnma phase with attractive distorted TaH₉ tetrakaidecahedrons is about 90.0 GPa. Besides, the calculated electronic band structure and density of states demonstrate that all of these structures are metallic. The Poisson’s ratio, electron localization function, and Bader charge analysis suggest that these phases possess dominant ionic bonding character with the effective charges transferring from the metal atom to H. From our electron–phonon calculations, the calculated superconducting critical temperature T_c of the Pnma-NbH₂ is 6.903 K at 50 GPa. Finally, via the quasi-harmonic approximation method, the phase diagrams at pressure up to 300 GPa and temperature up to 1000 K of MH₂ (M = Nb, Ta) are established, where the transition pressure of Fm$\overline{3}$m-NbH₂ → Pnma-NbH₂ and P6₃mc-TaH₂ → Pnma-TaH₂ were found to decrease with increasing temperature.     

Structural,mechanical and electronic properties of transition metal hydrides MH2 (M = Ti,Zr, Hf,Sc, Y,La, V and Cr)

First-principles calculations have been carried out to investigate the structural, mechanic and electronic of transition metal hydrides MH₂ (M = Ti, Zr, Hf, Sc, Y, La, V and Cr). It is found that TiH₂ is mechanically unstable because of a negative C₄₄ = −21.31 GPa and C₁₁–C₁₂ < 0, the same behavior can be found in MH₂ (M = Zr, Hf, and Y) compounds. Also there is a strong interaction between M (Ti, Zr, Hf, Sc, Y, La, V and Cr) and H. On the other hand, the H–H bond orders are always negative or nil reason of brittleness.     

First principles study of structural,electronic, elastic and thermal properties of YX (X = Cd,In, Au,Hg and Tl) intermetallics

The structural, electronic, elastic and thermal properties of YX (X = Cd, In, Au, Hg and Tl) intermetallic compounds crystallizing in B₂-type structure have been studied using first principles density functional theory within generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for the exchange correlation potential. Amongst all the YX compounds, YIn is stable in distorted tetragonal (P4/mmm) CuAu-type structure at ambient pressure with very small energy difference of 0.00681 Ry. but it undergoes to CsCl-type (B₂ phase) structure at 23.3 GPa. Rest of the compounds are stable in B₂ structure at ambient condition. The values of elastic moduli as a function of pressure are also reported. The ductility of these compounds has been analyzed using the Pugh rule. Our calculated results indicate that YTl is the most ductile amongst all the B₂-YX compounds. YAu is the hardest and less compressible compound due to the largest bulk modulus. The elastic properties such as Young's modulus (E), Poisson's ratio (σ) and anisotropic ratio (A) are also predicted. The anisotropic factor is found to be unity for YHg which shows that this compound is isotropic.     

Structural,electronic and magnetic properties of cementite-type Fe3X (X = B,C, N) by first-principles calculations

Using first-principles technique, the crystal structure of cementite-type Fe₃N is predicted. The average magnetic moment (Ms) of cementite-type Fe₃N is also predicted as 1.4929 μ_B/atom. The Ms of Fe₃N is bigger than that of Fe₃C, but smaller than that of Fe₃B. Fe Ms between two different Fe sites in Fe₃N are different (2.0541 and 2.0139 μ_B), which indicates that Fe Ms are sensitive to the local short-range order in the cementite-type crystal. The Ms of B, C and N are ?0.3525, ?0.2474 and ?0.1102 μ_B/atom in Fe₃X (X = B, C, N), respectively. The chemical bonds of Fe₃X (X = B, C, N) take on metallicity, covalence, and ionicity. The ionicity of Fe₃X (X = B, C, N) strengthens and the covalence of Fe–X weakens, going from Fe₃B, Fe₃C to Fe₃N.     

Study on the surface interaction of Furan with X12Y12 (X = B,Al, and Y = N,P) semiconductors: DFT calculations

Chemisorption of Furan on the surfaces of four different semiconductors (Al₁₂N₁₂, Al₁₂P₁₂, B₁₂N₁₂, and B₁₂P₁₂) has been investigated, and the results have been compared using density functional theory in terms of energetic, geometric, and electronic property. Two functionals, dispersion corrected (wB97XD) and non‐corrected (B3LYP), have been used for calculation of binding energy. The results show that chemisorption of Furan on these semiconductors is in the order of Al₁₂N₁₂ (−98.4 kJ mol⁻¹) > Al₁₂P₁₂ (−77.5 kJ mol⁻¹) > B₁₂N₁₂ (−46.6 kJ mol⁻¹) > B₁₂P₁₂ (−18.3 kJ mol⁻¹), while the order of change in the HOMO–LUMO gap of semiconductors upon adsorption of Furan is found as B₁₂N₁₂ > B₁₂P₁₂ > Al₁₂P₁₂ > Al₁₂N₁₂, which implies to the higher changes in the electronic structure of B‐containing clusters (B₁₂N₁₂ and B₁₂P₁₂) compared to Al‐containing clusters (Al₁₂N₁₂ and Al₁₂P₁₂). The NBO charge analyses reveal maximum and minimum charge transfer upon adsorption of Furan on B₁₂N₁₂ and B₁₂P₁₂, respectively. Based on the results, it was found that Al₁₂N₁₂ and B₁₂N₁₂ as the most appropriate adsorbent and the most sensitive sensor for Furan, respectively.     

Coupling of terminal alkynes by RuHXL2 (X = Cl or N(SiMe3)2, L = PiPr3)

The compounds RuL₂HX, where L = PⁱPr₃ and X = Cl or N(SiMe₃)₂, are catalyst precursors for dimerization of terminal alkynes to enynes and also to cumulenes at 23 °C; selectivity among these products is X-dependent, but not high. Conversion of Ru species onto the catalytic cycle was undetectably small, so alternative approaches to understanding the catalytic mechanism were employed: stoichiometric reactions, independent synthesis of candidate intermediates, and trapping with CO. These show the intermediacy of vinylidenes and vinyl compounds, and reveal conversion of cumulenes to the thermodynamically more stable enynes.     

Self-assembly of two novel bisupporting Keggin-polyoxometalate derivatives: Hydrothermal synthesis and structure characterization of (X = P, m = 1; X = Si, m = 2)

Two novel organic–inorganic hybrid polyoxometalates, (X = P, m = 1 1; X = Si, m = 2 2; 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bpyridine), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. They are isostructural, possessing orthorhombic, and the parameters of unit cells for compound 1 are space group Pbca, a = 17.317(4) Å, b = 17.092(3) Å, c = 20.587(4) Å, V = 6445(2) Å³, Z = 4; for compound 2 are space group Pcab, a = 17.181(3) Å, b = 18.198(4) Å, c = 20.672(4) Å, V = 6463(2) Å³, Z = 4. The two compounds show a layer framework constructed from Keggin-polyoxoanion clusters and [Cu (2, 2′-bpy)₂]²⁺ coordination polymer fragments via weak covalent interactions, resulting in a 3D network via supramolecular interactions. Their electrochemical properties are studied in detail.     

Photocatalytic properties of CoOx-loaded nano-crystalline perovskite oxynitrides ABO2N (A = Ca,Sr, Ba,La; B = Nb,Ta)

Highly crystalline niobium- and tantalum-based oxynitride perovskite nanoparticles were obtained from hydrothermally synthesized oxide precursors by thermal ammonolysis at different temperatures. The samples were studied with respect to their morphological, optical and thermal properties as well as their photocatalytic activity in the decomposition of methyl orange. Phase pure oxynitrides were obtained at rather low ammonolysis temperatures between 740 °C (CaNbO₂N) and 1000 °C (BaTaO₂N). Particle sizes were found to be in the range 27 nm–146 nm and large specific surface areas up to 37 m² g⁻¹ were observed. High photocatalytic activities were found for CaNbO₂N and SrNbO₂N prepared at low ammonolysis temperatures. CoO_x as co-catalyst was loaded on the oxynitride particles resulting in a strong increase of the photocatalytic activities up to 30% methyl orange degradation within 3 h for SrNbO₂N:CoO_x.     

Lattice potential energies and thermochemical properties of triethylammonium halides (Et3NHX) (X = Cl,Br, and I)

A series of triethylammonium halides (Et₃NHCl, Et₃NHBr, and Et₃NHI) was synthesized. The crystal structures of the three compounds were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The lattice potential energies and ionic radius of the common cation of the three compounds were obtained from crystallographic data. Molar enthalpies of dissolution of the compounds at various values of molality were measured in the double-distilled water at T = 298.150 K by means of an isoperibol solution-reaction calorimeter. According to Pitzer’s theory, the values of molar enthalpies of dissolution at infinite dilution and Pitzer’s parameters of the compounds were obtained. The values of apparent relative molar enthalpies, relative partial molar enthalpies of the solvent and the compounds at different molalities were derived from the experimental values of molar enthalpies of dissolution of the compounds. Finally, hydration enthalpy of the common cation Et₃NH⁺ was calculated to be ΔH₊ = ?(150.386 ± 4.071) kJ · mol^?1 by designing a thermochemical cycle.     

Structural,mechanical, electronic,optical properties and effective masses of CuMO2 (M = Sc,Y, La) compounds: First-principles calculations

The structural, elastic, mechanical, electronic, optical properties and effective masses of CuM_IIIBO₂ (M_IIIB = Sc, Y, La) compounds have been investigated by the plane-wave ultrasoft pseudopotential technique based on the first-principles density-functional theory under local density approximation. The equilibrium structural parameters are in good agreement with previous experimental and theoretical data. To our knowledge, there are no available data of elastic constants for comparison. The bulk, shear and Young's modulus, ratio of B/G, Poisson's ratio and Lamé's constants of CuM_IIIBO₂ have been studied. The electronic structures of CuM_IIIBO₂ are consistent with other calculations. The population analysis, charge densities and effective masses have been shown and analyzed. The imaginary and real parts of the dielectric function, refractive index and extinction coefficient of CuM_IIIBO₂ are calculated. The interband transitions to absorption of CuM_IIIBO₂ have been analyzed.     

DFT studies on nonlinear optical properties of neutral nest-shaped heterothiometallic [MOS3Py5Cu3X] (M = Mo, W; X = F, Cl, Br, I) clusters

Theoretical calculations were carried out on some neutral nest-shaped heterothiometallic cluster compounds [MOS₃Py₅Cu₃X] (M = Mo, W; X = F, Cl, Br, I) with the high first static hyperpolarizabilities β values. The geometries of these cluster compounds were optimized by the restricted DFT method at B3LYP level with LanL2DZ base set without any constrains. In order to understand the relationship between the first static hyperpolarizabilities and the compositions of these clusters, the frontier orbital compositions and energy gaps between the HOMO and LUMO orbitals were calculated and analysed. In these clusters the HOMO orbitals are mainly composed of halogen atoms and the first static hyperpolarizability increases from F to I atom. The LUMO orbitals of clusters [MoOS₃Py₅Cu₃X] are comprised of Mo, O and S atoms while the LUMO orbitals of clusters [WOS₃Py₅Cu₃X] composed of W atom and pyridine ring. The energy gaps between the HOMO and LUMO orbitals of the clusters [MoOS₃Py₅Cu₃X] are smaller than those of the clusters [WOS₃Py₅Cu₃X]. As a result the first static hyperpolarizability values of the clusters [MoOS₃Py₅Cu₃X] are higher than those of the clusters [WOS₃Py₅Cu₃X].     

First-principles calculations of the structural and electronic properties of Cu3MN compounds with M = Ni,Cu, Zn,Pd, Ag,and Cd

We have performed accurate ab initio total energy calculations using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method to investigate the structural and electronic properties of copper-transition metal nitrides. In its ground state, Cu₃N crystallizes in an anti-ReO₃ type cell and it is a semiconductor material with a small indirect gap. In this paper, we report a study of Cu₃MN compounds with M = Ni, Cu, Zn, Pd, Ag, and Cd. In the calculations, we have used the same anti-ReO₃ type cell of Cu₃N, but with the extra transition metal atom at the center of the cube. In particular, our calculated lattice parameters for copper nitride (a = 3.82 Å) and copper palladium nitride (a = 3.89 Å) are in excellent agreement with the experimental values of a = 3.807 Å and a = 3.86 Å, respectively. In all the cases we have studied, the addition of the transition metal atom modifies the electronic structure of Cu₃N, turning all copper-transition metal nitrides into metals.     

Chemical bonding and elastic properties of Ti3AC2 phases (A = Si,Ge, and Sn): A first-principle study

The chemical bonding and elastic properties as well as the effect of atomic radii for A element in the Ti₃AC₂ phases (A = Si, Ge, and Sn) were studied by ab initio total energy calculations using plane-wave pseudopotential method based on DFT. The atomic radii of A element has a weak effect on the electronic structure. However, the bond stiffness was quantitatively examined, which shows that the bond stiffness is affected by the atomic radii of A element. The calculated results including lattice constants, internal coordinate, elastic modulus, sound velocity, and Debye temperature agree with experimental values very well. With the increase of atomic radii of A element from Si, Ge to Sn, the cohesive energy and elastic moduli as well as Debye temperature decrease, but the elastic anisotropy increases. This is related to the change of bond stiffness. It can be predicted that the fracture toughness of Ti₃SnC₂ would be comparable with that of Ti₃SiC₂ and Ti₃GeC₂.     

Haptotropic migration of M(CO)3 (M = Cr, Mo, W) on substituted phenanthrene

The haptotropic migration of Cr(CO)₃, Mo(CO)₃ and W(CO)₃ moieties on a substituted phenanthrene has been studied theoretically using gradient-corrected density functional theory. The stationary points (minima and transition states) on the energy hypersurface characterizing the migrating process of the metal fragment over the aromatic system have been located. Furthermore, the energetic and structural differences between complexes of the three metals Cr, Mo and W and the effect of a high substitution of one arene ring on the reaction energy profile have been analyzed. The possibility to design a molecular switch based on the substituent pair R = O⁻/OH is investigated. It is concluded that the Mo and W complexes undergo a haptotropic migration more easily than the corresponding Cr system.