The structural,electronic, elastic,vibration and thermodynamic properties of GdMg

We have investigated the structural, elastic, electronic, vibration and thermodynamic properties of GdMg alloy using the methods of density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for the exchange-correlation functional. We have presented the results on the basic physical parameters, such as the lattice constant, bulk modulus, pressure derivative of bulk modulus with and without spin-polarization (SP), second-order elastic constants, Zener anisotropy factor, Poisson's ratio, Young's modulus, and isotropic shear modulus. The thermodynamic properties of the considered compound are obtained through the quasi-harmonic Debye model. In order to obtain further information, we have also studied the pressure and temperature-dependent behavior of the volume, bulk modulus, thermal expansion coefficient, heat capacity, and Debye temperature in a wide temperature range of 0–1200 K. We have also calculated phonon frequencies and one-phonon density of states for B2 structure of GdMg compound. The temperature-dependent behavior of heat capacity and entropy obtained from phonon density of states for GdMg compound in B2 phase is also presented.     

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.     

First-principles investigations on structural,electronic and elastic properties of BeSe under high pressure

The structural, electronic and elastic properties of BeSe in both B3 and B8 structures have been studied by first-principles calculations within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The calculated lattice parameters and bulk modulus of BeSe are in reasonable agreement with previous results. The predicted value of phase transition pressure from B3 to B8 is 50.24 GPa, which is well in line with the experimental data (56 ± 5 GPa). The calculation of the electronic band structure shows that the energy gap is indirect for B3 and B8 phases. Especially, the elastic constants of B8 BeSe under high pressure were studied for the first time. The bulk modulus, shear modulus, compressional and shear wave velocities of B8 BeSe evaluated from elastic constants as a function of pressure were investigated. In addition, Poisson's radio, elastic anisotropy and Debye temperature were analyzed successfully.     

Low temperature and high pressure thermoelastic and crystallographic properties of SrZrO3 perovskite in the Pbnm phase

The thermoelastic and structural properties of SrZrO₃ perovskite in the Pnma (Pbnm) phase have been studied using neutron powder diffraction at 82 temperatures between 11 K and 406 K at ambient pressure, and at sixteen pressures between 0.07 and 6.7 GPa at ambient temperature. The bulk modulus, derived by fitting the equation of state to a second order Birch-Murnaghan equation-of-state, 157(5) GPa, is in excellent agreement with that deduced in a recent resonant ultrasound investigation. Experimental axial compressional moduli are in agreement with those calculated from the elastic stiffness coefficients derived by ab-initio calculation, although the experimental bulk modulus is significantly softer than that calculated. Following low temperature saturation for temperatures less than 40 K, the unit cell monotonically increases with a predicted high temperature limit in the volume expansivity of ∼2.65 × 10⁻⁵ K⁻¹. Axial linear thermal expansion coefficients are found to be in the order α_b < α_c < α_a for all temperatures greater than 20 K with the b axis indicating a weak, low temperature negative expansion coefficient at low temperatures. The thermoelastic properties of SrZrO₃ can be approximated by a two-term Debye model for the phonon density of states with Debye temperatures of 238(4) K and 713(6) K derived in a self-consistent manner by simultaneously fitting the isochoric heat capacity and the unit cell volume. Atomic displacement parameters have been fitted to a modified Debye model in which the zero-point term is an additional refinable variable and shows the cations and anions have well separated Debye temperatures, mirroring the need for two Debye-like distributions in the vibrational density of states. The temperature dependence of the crystal structure is presented in terms of the amplitudes of the seven symmetry-adapted basis vectors of the aristotype phase that are consistent with space group Pbnm, thus permitting a direct measure of the order parameter evolution in SrZrO₃. The temperature variation of the in-phase tilt, which is lost at the phase transition at 973 K, is consistent with tricritical behaviour, in agreement with published results based on high temperature crystallographic data.     

First-principles investigation of the ternary scandium based inverse-perovskite carbides Sc3AC (A = Al,Ga, In and Tl)

Based on first-principles approach, we present a comparative study of structural, electronic, elastic and thermo-dynamical properties of the series of inverse-perovskites Sc₃AC, with A = Al, Ga, In and Tl. The calculated equilibrium lattice constants are in excellent agreement with the experimental and available theoretical data. The electronic band structures and densities of states profiles show that the studied compounds are conductors. Analysis of atomic site projected local density of states and charge densities reveals that a mixture of covalent–ionic–metallic characterizes the chemical bonding of the considered inverse-perovskites. Pressure dependence up to 40 GPa of the single-crystal and polycrystalline elastic constants has been investigated in details. The computed B/G ratios show that all Sc₃AC compounds are brittle. We have estimated the sound velocities in the principal directions. Through the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the phononic effects are taken into account, the temperature and pressure effects on the lattice constant, bulk modulus, heat capacity and Debye temperature are performed.     

Yellow-green luminescence and extreme thermal quenching in the Sr6M2Al4O15:Eu2+ (M = Y,Lu, Sc) phosphor series

A series of Eu²⁺-substituted yellow-green emitting phosphors based on the compound, Sr₆M₂Al₄O₁₅ (M = Y, Lu, Sc) were identified as potential efficient phosphors based on their high calculated Debye temperatures (Θ_D > 450 K), which acts as a proxy for photoluminescent quantum yield (PLQY). The crystal structure contains corner-sharing [MO₆] octahedra and [AlO₄] tetrahedra leading to a highly connected, densely packed crystal structure. However, contrary to prediction, these compounds all showed a low PLQY (<6.5%) at room temperature. Temperature dependent luminescence measurements indicate that the photoluminescence is intense at 80 K but loses ≈90% of the emission intensity by room temperature, with the thermal quenching temperature (T₅₀) occurring well below room temperature. These results suggest that even though Debye temperature (Θ_D) is a valid proxy for PLQY, it does not describe thermal quenching.     

Theoretical study of the pressure-induced B3–B1 phase transition in Cd1−xMnxTe

The high pressure phase transition in Cd_1−xMn_xTe (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5), which is from the cubic zinc-blende structure (B3) to the NaCl structure (B1), is investigated by using first principles spin-polarized LCAO calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) formalism. The calculations indicate that the transition pressure of the B3-to-B1 structural phase transformation depends on the Mn content of the sample. This result is consistent with the expectation that the substitution of Cd by Mn in CdTe tends to perturb the tetrahedral coordination geometry and thereby to destabilize the B3 structure. Several structural properties (equilibrium lattice constant, bulk modulus, transition pressure, etc.) of Cd_1−xMn_xTe (x = 0.0, 0.25 and 0.5) CdTe have been calculated, which are in agreement with the previous results.     

Pressure-induced metallization in the absence of a structural transition in the layered transition-metal dichalcogenide ZrSe2

First-principles calculations were carried out on the ZrSe₂ compound, which has been of interest owing to its technologically important physical properties. The structural, electronic and optical properties of this compound were investigated under pressure through the plane wave pseudopotential approach within the framework of density functional theory. A comparison between the computed crystal structure parameters and the corresponding experimental counterparts shows a very good agreement between them. Fitting the pressure–volume data using the third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state yielded a bulk modulus B₀ = 38.17 GPa and a pressure derivative of bulk modulus  = 8.2 for hexagonal ZrSe₂. The relationship between the band structure and pressure is revealed. We calculated the total density of state (TDOS) under different pressures and partial density of state (PDOS) from 0 to 10 GPa. According to our calculations, metallization of hexagonal ZrSe₂ is predicted to occur at around 10 GPa and pressure-induced band-gap engineering reveals the transformation of the indirect to direct band gap with increasing pressure. Furthermore, optical properties, such as the complex dielectric function, refractive index and reflectivity spectra of this compound, were studied for incident electromagnetic waves in an energy range up to 45 eV. The contributions to various transition peaks in the optical spectra are analyzed and discussed with the help of the energy-dependent imaginary part of the dielectric function.     

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.     

Method of preparation and thermodynamic properties of transparent Y3Al5O12 nanoceramics

We first introduce the latest experimental results, i.e., production of the fine nanostructured and near fully dense transparent Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (YAG) bulks at high pressure and modest temperature (2.0–5.0 GPa and 300–500 °C). And then, we employ the first-principles plane wave pseudopotential density functional theory method to calculate the equilibrium lattice parameters and the thermodynamic properties of YAG. The obtained lattice parameters are consistent with the experimental data and the available theoretical data of others. Through the quasi-harmonic Debye model, the dependences of the normalized primitive volume V/V ₀ on pressure P, the Debye temperature $ \Uptheta_{\rm{D}} $ , and the heat capacity C _V on pressure P and temperature T, as well as the variation of the thermal expansion α with temperature and pressure are obtained successfully.     

Ab initio study of phase transition and bulk modulus of NaH

The phase transition of NaH from NaCl- to CsCl-type structure is investigated by an ab initio plane-wave pseudopotential density functional theory method with the norm-conserving pseudopotential scheme in the frame of the generalized gradient approximation correction; the isothermal bulk modulus and its first and second pressure derivatives of the NaCl- and CsCl-type structures under high pressure and temperature are obtained through the quasi-harmonic Debye model. The phase transition obtained from the usual condition of equal enthalpies occurs at the pressure of 32 GPa, which is consistent with the experimental and other calculated values. Through the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the phononic effects are considered, the dependences of cell volume V and lattice constant a on temperature T at zero pressure, the isothermal bulk modulus B₀ and its pressure derivatives B₀′and B₀″ on pressure P along isotherms 0, 300, and 600 K, are also successfully obtained.     

Structural,elastic, electronic and optical properties of the newly synthesized monoclinic Zintl phase BaIn2P2

The present study explores the structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of the newly synthesized monoclinic Zintl phase BaIn₂P₂ using a pseudopotential plane-wave method in the framework of density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation. The calculated lattice constants and internal coordinates are in very good agreement with the experimental findings. Independent single-crystal elastic constants as well as numerical estimations of the bulk modulus, the shear modulus, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, Pugh's indicator of brittle/ductile behaviour and the Debye temperature for the corresponding polycrystalline phase were obtained. The elastic anisotropy of BaIn₂P₂ was investigated using three different indexes. The calculated electronic band structure and the total and site-projected l-decomposed densities of states reveal that this compound is a direct narrow-band-gap semiconductor. Under the influence of hydrostatic pressure, the direct D–D band gap transforms into an indirect B-D band gap at 4.08 GPa, then into a B–Γ band gap at 10.56 GPa. Optical macroscopic constants, namely, the dielectric function, refractive index, extinction coefficient, reflectivity coefficient, absorption coefficient and energy-loss function, for polarized incident radiation along the [100], [010] and [001] directions were investigated.     

Temperature and pressure dependences of volumetric properties of two poly(propylene glycol) dimethyl ether lubricants

The densities at high pressures of two dimethoxy end-capped poly(propylene glycols), CH₃–O–[CH₂–CH(CH₃)–O]_m–CH₃, with average molar masses higher than 1300 g · mol^?1, were measured in the range (0.1 to 60) MPa at five different temperatures from (298.15 to 398.15) K. The measurements were performed in a high-pressure vibrating tube densimeter. A correction factor, due to the viscosity of the sample, was applied to the experimental density values. The pressure–volume–temperature behavior of these lubricants was evaluated accurately over wide temperature and pressure ranges and correlated successfully with the empirical Tammann–Tait equation. The experimental data and the correlations were used to study the behavior and the influence of temperature and pressure on the isothermal compressibility, the isobaric thermal expansivity, and the internal pressure, as well as the effect of the polyether molecular structure on these properties.     

Effect of A-site doping on thermal properties of LaGaO3

The thermal and allied properties of rare earth orthogallates LnGaO₃ (Ln = La, Ce, Nd, Pr), La_1−xCe_xGaO₃, La_1−xPr_xGaO₃ and La_1−x Nd_xGaO₃ (x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) were investigated in this work by means of a Modified Rigid Ion Model (MRIM). Theoretically, MRIM provides arguably the most realistic interaction potential to treat these properties. We have computed the variation of specific heat and volume thermal expansion coefficient for these orthogallates in wide temperature range (0 K ≤ T ≤ 1200 K). The computed results on Bulk modulus (B), Debye temperature (θ_D) and specific heat (C_P) obtained from MRIM have presented proper interpretation of the experimental data for LnGaO₃ (Ln = La, Ce, Nd, Pr) compounds. The specific heat results can be further improved by including the crystalline electric field contribution to the specific heat.     

Quaternary (liquid + liquid) equilibria of aqueous two-phase polyethylene glycol,poly-N-vinylcaprolactam,and KH2PO4: Experimental and the generalized Flory–Huggins theory

A quaternary (liquid + liquid) equilibrium study was performed to focus attention on the interaction parameters between poly-N-vinylcaprolactam (PVCL) and poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) as well as between other species. At first, the new experimental data of (liquid + liquid) equilibria for aqueous two-phase systems containing PEG, KH₂PO₄, and PVCL at T = 303.15 K have been determined. Then the Flory–Huggins theory with two electrostatic terms (the Debye–Huckel and the Pitzer–Debye–Huckel equations) has been generalized to correlate the phase behavior of the quaternary system. Good agreement has been found between experimental and calculated data from both models especially from the Pitzer–Debye–Huckel equation.Also an effort was done to compare the effect of temperature as well as addition of PVCL on the binodal curves of PEG, KH₂PO₄, and water. The effect of the type of salt on the binodals has been also studied, and the salting out power of the salts has been determined.     

The synthesis of ZnP4 based on liquid–solid reaction under high pressure and temperature

In this article we reported the successful high pressure and temperature synthesis of micron-sized zinc tetraphosphide (ZnP₄) crystals based on the liquid–solid reaction between Zn and P at a large-volume cubic press. Techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) were employed to investigate the phase structure, grain size, morphology and stoichiometric ratio of crystals. The results indicate that the synthesized ZnP₄ has a tetragonal structure with the space group of P41212, and the grains with size of about 50 μm can be prepared at 4.0 GPa and 1000 °C. We also obtained the pressure–temperature (P–T) formation region of ZnP₄ and discussed the formative mechanism of ZnP₄ crystals.     

Facile solvothermal synthesis of highly active monoclinic scheelite BiVO4 for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under white LED light irradiation

In this study, BiVO₄ was successfully synthesized via the solvothermal process using a solvent mixture of ethylene glycol and water under different synthesis conditions of temperature and pH. Physicochemical properties such as crystal phase, morphology, and optical absorption of the as-synthesized BiVO₄ samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and ultraviolet–visible diffraction reflection spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS). The XRD analysis showed that different synthesis conditions of temperature and pH significantly affected the growth of monoclinic BiVO₄ crystals oriented along (0 4 0) facets. Form SEM results, the synthesis conditions, including pH and temperature, have a great effect on the morphology of monoclinic structured BiVO₄. As the pH value increases in the range of 0–9 and temperature increases from 80 °C to 180 °C, the morphology of BiVO₄ changed from peanut-, rod-, and leaf-like shapes. The photocatalytic activities of as-synthesized BiVO₄ photocatalysts were evaluated by the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under irradiation of white LED light. We have found that by using appropriate synthesis conditions (the synthesis temperature of 140 °C and the synthesis pH of 7) the BiVO₄ exhibited high photocatalytic efficiency for MB degradation (about 82.30% after 180 min of irradiation). This result is due to the development of the BiVO₄ crystals oriented along (0 4 0) facets with an increase in the intensity ratio of I_(0 4 0)/I_(1 2 1). The growth of BiVO₄ crystals oriented along (0 4 0) facets may be beneficial to enhance the photocatalytic activity of monoclinic scheelite BiVO₄.     

(Surfactant + polymer) interaction parameter studied by (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data of quaternary aqueous solution containing surfactant,polymer, and salt

(Liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLE) data of quaternary aqueous system containing polyoxyethylene (20) cetyl ether (with abbreviation name Brij 58, non-ionic surfactant), diammonium hydrogen phosphate, and poly ethylene glycol (PEG) with three molar masses {M_W = (1000, 6000, and 35,000) g · mol^?1} have been determined experimentally at T = 313.15 K.Furthermore, the Flory–Huggins theory with two electrostatic terms (Debye–Hückel and Pitzer–Debye–Hückel equations) have been used to calculate the phase behavior of the quaternary systems and (surfactant + polymer) interaction parameter as well as interaction parameters between other species. Temperature dependency of the parameters of the Flory–Huggins theory has been obtained.Also an effort have been done to show that addition of PEG as well as increasing the temperature can shift the binodal curves of the ternary aqueous system containing surfactant and salt to lower mole fraction of salt. Also the effect of polymer molar mass on the binodal diagram displacement has been discussed.