Structural, electronic and magnetic properties of ConRh (n=1-8) clusters from density functional calculations

The geometries, stabilities, electronic and magnetic properties of Co_nRh (n=1-8) clusters have been investigated systematically within the framework of the generalized gradient approximation density-functional theory. The results indicate that the most stable structures of Co_nRh (n=1-8) clusters are all similar to those of corresponding Co_n+1 clusters. Maximum peaks of second-order energy difference are found at n=2, 4 and 7, indicating that these clusters possess relatively higher stability than their respective neighbors. The magnetism of the ground state of alloy clusters all displays ferromagnetic coupling except for Co₃Rh. In addition, the doped Rh atom exhibits an important influence on the magnetism of alloy clusters, e.g., compared with corresponding pure Co_n clusters, the local moment of Co atom is noticeably enhanced in Co_nRh alloy clusters at n=1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8, while reduced at n=3 and 4. Further analysis based on the average bond length, the charge transfer and the spin polarization has been made to clarify the different magnetic responses to Rh doping.     

BnTi(n=1-12)团簇的结构, 电子性质和磁性

利用密度泛函理论广义梯度近似方法得到了BnTi(n=1-12)团簇的基态结构, 并讨论了电子性质和磁性质. 结果表明, n≤5 时, BnTi 基态结构呈平面或准平面, n>5 时, Ti 原子倾向于与较多的B 原子成键而呈三维结构. 由二阶能量差分得出B3Ti, B5Ti, B10Ti 为幻数团簇. Mulliken 布居分析显示BnTi 团簇中电荷由Ti 原子向近邻B 原子转移且以共价键与离子键共存; 除BTi 磁矩为5 μB 外, 其余团簇磁矩处于0-2 μB 之间; 团簇总磁矩主要由Ti 原子的3d 轨道和个别B 原子提供. B3Ti和B7Ti 团簇中, B 原子表现为反铁磁性.     

BnTi(n=1-12)团簇的结构, 电子性质和磁性

利用密度泛函理论广义梯度近似方法得到了BnTi(n=1-12)团簇的基态结构, 并讨论了电子性质和磁性质. 结果表明, n≤5 时, BnTi 基态结构呈平面或准平面, n>5 时, Ti 原子倾向于与较多的B 原子成键而呈三维结构. 由二阶能量差分得出B3Ti, B5Ti, B10Ti 为幻数团簇. Mulliken 布居分析显示BnTi 团簇中电荷由Ti 原子向近邻B 原子转移且以共价键与离子键共存; 除BTi 磁矩为5 μB 外, 其余团簇磁矩处于0-2 μB 之间; 团簇总磁矩主要由Ti 原子的3d 轨道和个别B 原子提供. B3Ti和B7Ti 团簇中, B 原子表现为反铁磁性.     

Pdn(n=1~9)团簇的结构及磁性的第一性原理计算简

采用密度泛函理论中的广义梯度近似泛函BPW91和三参数杂化密度泛函B3LYP对Pdn(n=1~9)团簇的结构、稳定性和磁性进行了详细的计算.两种泛函得到了相同的稳定结构,除n=3、4外,两种方法得到的基态结构是完全一致的,但在n=3、4时用三参数杂化密度泛函B3LYP得到的基态结构与文献[8,9,23]的相同.两种方法得到的平均配位数和平均键长有相似的变化规律,总体上随团簇尺寸的增大而增大,n=2~5时,增幅较大,n=5~9时,增幅较小.两种方法得到团簇能量的二阶差分、分裂能在n=4时均有较大的值,说明相对应的团簇具有较高的稳定性、较低的化学活性.两种方法得到团簇的平均每原子磁矩随团簇尺寸的增大有逐渐减小的趋势,个别团簇有振荡.结果表明两种泛函都可以描述团簇结构、稳定性和磁性的演变规律,但B3LYP泛函可以更加精确地描述Pdn团簇的结构演化.     

Pdn(n=1-9)团簇的结构及磁性的第一性原理计算

采用密度泛函理论中的广义梯度近似泛函BPW91和三参数杂化密度泛函B3LYP对Pdn(n=1-9)团簇的结构、稳定性和磁性进行了详细的计算. 两种泛函得到了相同的稳定结构, 除n=3、4外, 两种方法得到的基态结构是完全一致的, 但在n=3、4时用三参数杂化密度泛函B3LYP得到的基态结构与文献[8,9,23]的相同. 两种方法得到的平均配位数和平均键长有相似的变化规律, 总体上随团簇尺寸的增大而增大, n=2-5时, 增幅较大, n=5-9时, 增幅较小. 两种方法得到团簇能量的二阶差分、分裂能在n=4时均有较大的值, 说明相对应的团簇具有较高的稳定性、较低的化学活性. 两种方法得到团簇的平均每原子磁矩随团簇尺寸的增大有逐渐减小的趋势, 个别团簇有振荡. 结果表明两种泛函都可以描述团簇结构、稳定性和磁性的演变规律, 但B3LYP泛函可以更加精确地描述Pdn团簇的结构演化.     

DFT study of structural, electronic and vibrational properties of pure (Al2O3)n (n = 9, 10, 12, 15) and Ni-doped (Al2O3)n (n = 9, 10) clusters

The geometrical, electronic and vibrational properties of pure (Al₂O₃)_n (n = 9, 10, 12, 15) clusters and Ni-doped (Al₂O₃)_9-10 clusters are investigated by density functional theory. There are four different Ni-doped (Al₂O₃)₉ clusters and one Ni-doped (Al₂O₃)₁₀ cluster taken into account. Compared with the pure clusters, the Ni-doped (Al₂O₃)_9-10 clusters have narrower HOMO-LUMO energy gaps. The results indicate that the impurity of Ni atom is mainly responsible for the reduction of the HOMO-LUMO energy gap. One characteristic vibration band at about 1030 cm⁻¹ is found in the vibrational frequencies of the Ni-doped (Al₂O₃)_9-10 clusters, which is caused by the asymmetric Al-O-Al stretching vibration. Another band at around 826 cm⁻¹ involving the characteristic vibration of Ni-O bond is in good agreement with experimental results.     

Structures, stabilities and magnetic properties of FeCon−1 (n≤16) clusters

Under GGA, size dependence of the geometrical structures, stabilities and magnetic properties of FeCo_n−1 clusters (n≤16) have been investigated together with the Co_n clusters for comparison using DFT within the PAW method implemented in VASP. The replaced Fe atom is favorable to occupy the surface position except for FeCo₁₃. The peaks appeared at n=6, 9 and 11 for FeCo_n−1 clusters and at n=6, 9 and 12 for Co_n clusters on the size dependence of second difference of total energy imply that these clusters possess relatively higher stability. The magnetic moment is strongly correlated with the effective hybridization, which is closely related to the average bond length 〈d〉 and average coordination number 〈n_c〉. A small change in the total charge of Fe atom in FeCo_n−1 clusters will lead to a relative large reverse change in the total magnetic moment of Fe atom.     

The spin-dependent electronic transport properties of M(dcdmp)2 (M = Cu,Au, Co,Ni) molecular devices based on zigzag graphene nanoribbon electrodes

The spin-dependent electronic transport properties of M(dcdmp)₂ (M = Cu, Au, Co, Ni; dcdmp = 2,3-dicyano-5,6-dimercaptopyrazyne) molecular devices based on zigzag graphene nanoribbon (ZGNR) electrodes were investigated by density functional theory combined nonequilibrium Green's function method (DFT-NEGF). Our results show that the spin-dependent transport properties of the M(dcdmp)₂ molecular devices can be controlled by the spin configurations of the ZGNR electrodes, and the central 3d-transition metal atom can introduce a larger magnetism than that of the nonferrous metal one. Moreover, the perfect spin filtering effect, negative differential resistance, rectifying effect and magnetic resistance phenomena can be observed in our proposed M(dcdmp)₂ molecular devices.     

Structural,electronic and magnetic properties of hydrogenated BC2N

Density functional theory has been used to study the electronic and magnetic properties as well as the stability on the hydrogenated BC₂N sheets. It is found that two different structures (BC₂NH-I and BC₂NH-II) with the ferromagnetic ground states can be formed when removing the H atoms from one side of semi-hydrogenated BC₂N sheet. By applying tensile strain, both of their magnetisms are robust to 2.0 μ_B. However, the magnetisms are sensitively changed by compressive strain larger than ?6%. The BC₂NH-I system can be transitioned from semiconductor to half-metal and then to metal when the compressive strain is changed from ?6% to ?8%. And the BC₂NH-II system can be changed into half-metal by applying the compressive strain between ?6% and ?7.5%. Our calculation results suggest a possible way to tune the electronic and magnetic properties by choosing the appropriate structural type and the external strain, which would have potential applications in spintronics and nanodevices.     

Structural, electronic and magnetic properties of Fen@C60 and Fen@C80 (n=2-7) endohedral metallofullerene nano-cages: First principles study

We studied the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of small Fe_n clusters (n=2-7) endohedrally doped in icosahedral C₆₀ and C₈₀ fullerenes using first principles calculations based on the density functional theory. It is found that the encapsulated Fe_n clusters inside icosahedral C₈₀ are energetically favorable while Fe_n@C₆₀ metallofullerene nano-cages are not. The binding energies of the Fe_n encapsulated in C₆₀ are positive and increase with the number of iron atoms (n) while those of the Fe_n@C₈₀ are negative and their absolute values increase up to n=6. The encapsulation does not significantly change the enclosed cluster structure, but the total magnetic moment of the larger clusters reduces due to a stronger Fe-C hybridization.     

Geometrical, electronic, and magnetic properties of small AunSc (n=1-8) clusters

Geometrical, electronic, and magnetic properties of the Sc-doped gold clusters, Au_nSc (n=1-8), have been studied using the density-functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation. An extensive structural search shows that the Sc atom in low-energy Au_nSc isomers tends to occupy the most highly coordinated position. The substitution of a Sc atom for an Au atom in the Au_n+1 cluster markedly changes the structure of the host cluster. Moreover, we confirm that the ground-state Au₆Sc cluster has a distortion to a lower D_2h symmetry. The relative stabilities and electronic properties of the lowest-energy Au_nSc clusters are analyzed based on the averaged binding energies, second-order energy differences, fragmentation energies, chemical hardnesses, and HOMO-LUMO gaps. It is found that the magic Au₃Sc cluster can be perceived as a superatom with high chemical stability and its HOMO-LUMO gap is larger than that of the closed-shell Zr@Au₁₄ cluster. The high symmetry and spin multiplicity of the Au₃Sc and Au₆Sc clusters are responsible for their large vertical ionization potential and electron affinity. The magnetism calculations indicate that the magnetic moment of the Sc atom in the ground-state Au_nSc (n=2-8) clusters gradually decreases for even n and is completely quenched for odd n.     

First-principles study on the structural and electronic properties of LiB and its hydrides (Li2BnHn, n=5, 8, 12, LiBH4)

Structural, electronic and vibrating properties of LiB and its hydrides (Li₂B_nH_n, n=5, 8, 12, LiBH₄) were calculated by the first-principles using density functional theory in its generalized gradient approximation. The calculated results are in good agreement with experimental studies. The deviation between theory and experimental results are also discussed. With the increasing of H atoms in range of 5-12, the band gap energy increases and the width of the conduction band decreases. Comparing with LiB, the band gap of LiBH₄ is broadened, which indicates the enhancement of Li-B and Li-H bond strength. Valence electrons mainly transfer from Li atoms to B and H atoms. As a result, Li atoms are thought to be partially ionized as Li⁺ cations. There is little contribution of Li orbital to the occupied states, resulting in Li-H and Li-B bond exhibiting an ionic nature, and B-H bond showing a covalent nature.     

Theoretical study of magnetic ordering and electronic properties of AgxAl1−x N compounds

Ferromagnetic ordering of silver impurities in the AlN semiconductor is predicted by plane-wave ultrasoft pseudopotential and spin-polarized calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). It was found that an Ag impurity atom led to a ferromagnetic ground state in Ag_0.0625Al_0.9375N, with a net magnetic moment of 1.95 μ_B per supercell. The nitrogen neighbors at the basal plane in the AgN₄ tetrahedron are found to be the main contributors to the magnetization. This magnetic behavior is different from the ones previously reported on transition metal (TM) based dilute magnetic semiconductor (DMS), where the magnetic moment of the TM atom impurity is higher than those of the anions bonded to it. The calculated electronic structure band reveals that the Ag-doped AlN is p-type ferromagnetic semiconductor with a spin-polarized impurity band in the AlN band gap. In addition, the calculated density of states reveals that the ferromagnetic ground state originates from the strong hybridization between 4d-Ag and 2p-N states. This study shows that 4d transition metals such as silver may also be considered as candidates for ferromagnetic dopants in semiconductors.     

Study of magnetic and optical properties of Zn_(1-x)TM_xTe(TM = Mn,Fe,Co,Ni) diluted magnetic semiconductors:First principle approach

We present structural,magnetic and optical characteristics of Zn_(1-x)TM_xTe(TM = Mn,Fe,Co,Ni and x = 6.25%),calculated through Wien2 k code,by using full potential linearized augmented plane wave(FP-LAPW) technique.The optimization of the crystal structures have been done to compare the ferromagnetic(FM) and antiferromagnetic(AFM) ground state energies,to elucidate the ferromagnetic phase stability,which further has been verified through the formation and cohesive energies.Moreover,the estimated Curie temperatures T_c have demonstrated above room temperature ferromagnetism(RTFM) in Zn_(1-x)TM_xTe(TM =Mn,Fe,Co,Ni and x= 6.25%).The calculated electronic properties have depicted that Mn- and Co-doped ZnTe behave as ferromagnetic semiconductors,while half-metallic ferromagnetic behaviors are observed in Fe- and Ni-doped ZnTe.The presence of ferromagnetism is also demonstrated to be due to both the p-d and s-d hybridizations between the host lattice cations and TM impurities.The calculated band gaps and static real dielectric constants have been observed to vary according to Penn's model.The evaluated band gaps lie in near visible and ultraviolet regions,which make these materials suitable for various important device applications in optoelectronic and spintronic.     

The relativistic density functional investigations on geometries, electronic and magnetic properties of Irn (n=1-13) clusters

<正>The Ir_n(n=1-13) clusters are studied using the relativistic density functional method with generalized gradient approximation.A series of low-lying structures with different spin multiplicities have been considered.It is found that all the lowest-energy Ir_n(n=4-13) geometries prefer non-compact structures rather than compact structure growth pattern.And the cube structure is a very stable cell for the lowest-energy Ir_n(n8) clusters.The second-order difference of energy,the vertical ionization potentials,the electron affinities and the atomic average magnetic moments for the lowest-energy Ir_n geometries all show odd-even alternative behaviours.     

Structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of Co-doped ZnO

Density functional theory based calculations have been carried out to study structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of Zn1-xCoxO (x = 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) in the zinc-blende phase, and the generalized gradient approximation proposed by Wu and Cohen has been used. Our calculated lattice constants decrease while the bulk moduli increase with the increase of Co 2+ concentration. The calculated spin polarized band structures show the metallic behavior of Co-doped ZnO for both the up and the down spin cases with various doping concentrations. Moreover, the electron population is found to shift from the Zn-O bond to the Co-O bond with the increase of Co 2+ concentration. The total magnetic moment, the interstitial magnetic moment, the valence and the conduction band edge spin splitting energies, and the exchange constants decrease, while the local magnetic moments of Zn, Co, O, the exchange spin splitting energies, and crystal field splitting energies increase with the increase of dopant concentration.     

Effect of Si substitution on electronic structure and magnetic properties of Heusler compounds Co2TiAl1−xSix

The electronic structures of Co-based Heusler compounds CoTiAl_1−xSi_x (x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1) are calculated by first-principles using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within GGA and LSDA+U scheme. Particular emphasis was put on the role of the main group elements. In recent years, the GGA calculations of Co₂TiAl (x=0) and Co₂TiSi (x=1) indicated that they are half-metallic, but the electronic structure of this compound with x=0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 has not been reported yet, neither theoretically nor experimentally. The calculated results reveal that these are half-metallic and exhibit an energy gap in the minority spin state and also show 100% spin polarization. The substitution of Al by Si leads to an increase in the number of valence electrons, with increasing x. Our calculated results clearly show that with the Si doping, the lattice parameter linearly decreases; bulk modulus increases, and the total magnetic moment increases. The calculated energy gap in the minority spin state, using GGA scheme, was smaller than that obtained by using LSDA+U scheme. The outcomes of this research also show that the Co-3d DOS and therefore, the magnetic properties of compounds are dependent on electron concentration of the main group elements and it will affect the degree of p-d orbital occupation.     

First-principle study on magnetic properties of Mn/Fe codoped ZnS

We studied the magnetic properties of Mn/Fe codoped ZnS comparatively with and without defects using first-principle calculation. The calculated results indicate that the Mn/Fe codoped ZnS system tends to stabilize in a ferrimagnetic (FiM) configuration. To obtain a ferromagnetic (FM) configuration, we consider the doped system with defects, such as S or Zn vacancy. The calculated results indicate that the doped system with Zn vacancy favors FiM states. Although the FM states of the doped system with S vacancy are more stable than the FiM states in negative charge states, the FM states are not stable enough to exist. Finally, we replaced an S atom by a C atom in the doped system. The C atom prefers to substitute the S atom connecting Mn and Fe atoms. The formation energy of this defect is −0.40 eV, showing that Mn/Fe/C codoped ZnS can be fabricated easily by experiments. Furthermore, the FM state was lower in energy than the FiM state by 114 meV. Such a large energy difference between the FM and FiM states implies that room temperature ferromagnetism could be expected in such a system.     

Magnetic properties, phase evolution, and microstructure of melt spun Sm(Co1−zZrz)xCy (x=5-9; y=0-0.15; z=0.03 and 0.06) ribbons

Magnetic properties, phase evolution, and microstructure of melt spun Zr-substituted Sm(Co_1−zZr_z)_xC_y (x=5-9; y=0-0.15; z=0.03 and 0.06) ribbons quenched at the wheel speed of 40 m/s have been studied. The x-ray diffraction analysis showed that the main phases, found in Sm(Co_0.97Zr_0.03)_x ribbons, were 1:5 phase for x=5-5.5; 1:5 and 1:7 phases for x=6; 1:7 phase for x=6.5-7.5; 1:7 and 2:17 phases for x=8; and only 2:17 phase for x=8.5-9, respectively. For Sm(Co_0.97Zr_0.03)_x ribbons, the attractive magnetic properties of remanent magnetization (B_r) of 5.5 kG, intrinsic coercivity (_iH_c) of 9.5 kOe, and energy product ((BH)_max) of 7.0 MGOe were obtained for Sm(Co_0.97Zr_0.03)_6.5 ribbons. Furthermore, a slight amount of C addition in Sm(Co_0.97Zr_0.03)_x ribbons could not only effectively refine the grain size from 200 to 500 nm for C-free ribbon to 10-70 nm for C-added ribbons, but also bring extremely fine fcc-Co grains (2-10 nm), leading to the strengthened exchange coupling effect between the magnetic grains. As a result, magnetic properties were further improved. In this study, the optimal magnetic properties of B_r=6.3 kG, _iH_c=10.5 kOe, and (BH)_max=9.0 MGOe were achieved for Sm(Co_0.97Zr_0.03)₇C_0.1 nanocomposites.     

Structures, stabilities and electronic properties of FePbn (n=1-14) clusters: Density-functional theory investigations

The structures, stabilities and electronic properties of FePb_n (n=1-14) clusters have been studied using the density-functional theory (DFT). Extensive search of the ground-state structures has been carried out by considering a larger number of structural isomers for each cluster size. The Fe atom gradually falls into the interior of the Pb framework as the number of Pb atom increases from 1 to 14. The FePb_n clusters at n=3, 5, 10, 12 have relatively higher stability by analyzing the averaged binding energy and the second-order energy difference. Especially, FePb₁₂ is more stable, owing to its highest symmetrical icosahedron structure. The magnetic moments of FePb_n clusters do not quench when Fe atom is encapsulated in the Pb framework and mostly originate from 3d state of Fe atom.