Orientation dependence of structural transition in fcc Al driven under uniaxial compression by atomistic simulations

By molecular dynamics simulations employing an embedded atom method potential,we have investigated structural transformations in single crystal Al caused by uniaxial strain loading along the [001],[011] and [111] directions. We find that the structural transition is strongly dependent on the crystal orientations. The entire structure phase transition only occurs when loading along the [001] direction,and the increased amplitude of temperature for [001] loading is evidently lower than that for other orientations. The morphology evolutions of the structural transition for [011] and [111] loadings are analysed in detail. The results indicate that only 20% of atoms transit to the hcp phase for [011] and [111] loadings,and the appearance of the hcp phase is due to the partial dislocation moving forward on {111} fcc family. For [011] loading,the hcp phase grows to form laminar morphology in four planes,which belong to the {111} fcc family; while for [111] loading,the hcp phase grows into a laminar structure in three planes,which belong to the {111} fcc family except for the (111) plane. In addition,the phase transition is evaluated by using the radial distribution functions.     

Structural optimization of Au–Pd bimetallic nanoparticles with improved particle swarm optimization method

Due to the dependence of the chemical and physical properties of the bimetallic nanoparticles(NPs) on their structures,a fundamental understanding of their structural characteristics is crucial for their syntheses and wide applications. In this article, a systematical atomic-level investigation of Au–Pd bimetallic NPs is conducted by using the improved particle swarm optimization(IPSO) with quantum correction Sutton–Chen potentials(Q-SC) at different Au/Pd ratios and different sizes. In the IPSO, the simulated annealing is introduced into the classical particle swarm optimization(PSO) to improve the effectiveness and reliability. In addition, the influences of initial structure, particle size and composition on structural stability and structural features are also studied. The simulation results reveal that the initial structures have little effects on the stable structures, but influence the converging rate greatly, and the convergence rate of the mixing initial structure is clearly faster than those of the core-shell and phase structures. We find that the Au–Pd NPs prefer the structures with Au-rich in the outer layers while Pd-rich in the inner ones. Especially, when the Au/Pd ratio is 6:4, the structure of the nanoparticle(NP) presents a standardized Pd_(core) Au_(shell) structure.     

Helical Shell Structures of Ni-A1 Alloy Nanowires and Their Electronic Transport Properties

Six kinds of Ni-A1 alloy nanowires are optimized by means of simulated annealing. The optimized structures show that the Ni-A1 alloy nanowires are helical shell structures that are wound by three atomic strands, which is very similar to the case with pure metallic nanowires. The densities of states （DOS）, transmission function T（ E）, current-voltage （I - V） curves, and the conductance spectra of these alloy nanowires are also investigated. Our results indicate that the conductance spectra depend on the geometric structure properties and the ingredients of the alloy nanowires. We observe and study the nonlinear contribution to the I-V characteristics that are due to the quantum size effect and the impurity effect. The addition of Ni atoms decreases the conductance of the Ni-A1 alloy nanowire because the doping atom Ni change the electronic band structures and the charge density distribution. The interesting statistical results shed light on the physics of quantum transport at the nano-scale.     

The elastic properties and energy characteristics of Au nanowires: an atomistic simulation study

This paper have performed molecular static calculations with the quantum corrected Sutten Chen type many body potential to study size effects on the elastic modulus of Au nanowires with [100], [110] and [111] crystallographic directions, and to explore the preferential growth orientation of Au nanowires. The main focus of this work is the size effects on their surface characteristics. Using the common neighbour analysis, this paper deduces that surface region approximately consists of two layer atoms. Further, it extracts the elastic modulus of surface, and calculate surface energy of nanowire. The results show that for all three directions the Young＇s modulus of nanowire increases as the diameter increases. Similar trend has been observed for the Young＇s modulus of surface. However, the atomic average potential energy of nanowire shows an opposite change. Both the potential and surface energy of [110] nanowire are the lowest among all three orlentational nanowires, which helps to explain why Au nanowires possess a [110] preferred orientation during the experimental growth proceeds.     

Density functional theory study of Mg_2Ni_n(n= 1–8) clusters

The density functional theory B3PW91 with LANL2DZ basis sets has been used to study the possible geometries of Mg2Nin(n = 1–8) clusters. For the lowest energy structures of the clusters, stabilities, electronic properties, and natural bond orbital(NBO) are calculated and discussed. The results show that the doped Mg atoms reduce the stabilities of pure Ni clusters. The Mg2Ni2, Mg2Ni4, and Mg2Ni6clusters are more stable than neighboring clusters. The system appears magic number characteristics. In addition, the hybridization phenomenon occurs, owing to the interaction of Mg and Ni. The result of charge transfer is that Ni atom is negative and the Mg atom is positive. We also conclude that the 3p and 4d orbitals of the Ni atom have an effect on the stabilities of the clusters.     

Seeing Dirac electrons and heavy fermions in new boron nitride monolayers

Most three-dimensional(3D) and two-dimensional(2D) boron nitride(BN) structures are wide-band-gap insulators.Here, we propose two BN monolayers having Dirac points and flat bands, respectively. One monolayer is named as 5–7 BN that consists of five-and seven-membered rings. The other is a Kagome BN made of triangular boron rings and nitrogen dimers. The two structures show not only good dynamic and thermodynamic stabilities but also novel electronic properties.The 5–7 BN has Dirac points on the Fermi level, indicating that the structure is a typical Dirac material. The Kagome BN has double flat bands just below the Fermi level, and thus there are heavy fermions in the structure. The flat-band-induced ferromagnetism is also revealed. We analyze the origination of the band structures by partial density of states and projection of orbitals. In addition, a possible route to experimentally grow the two structures on some suitable substrates such as the PbO_2(111) surface and the Cd O(111) surface is also discussed, respectively. Our research not only extends understanding on the electronic properties of BN structures, but also may expand the applications of BN materials in 2D electronic devices.     

Structural and magnetic transition in stainless steel Fe-21Cr-6Ni-9Mn up to 250 GPa

Stainless steel Fe-21Cr-6Ni-9Mn(SS 21-6-9),with ～21% Cr,～6% Ni,and ～ 9% Mn in weight percentage,has wide applications in extensive fields.In the present study,SS 21-6-9 is compressed up to 250 GPa,and its crystal structures and compressive behaviors are investigated simultaneously using the synchrotron angle-dispersive x-ray diffraction technique.The SS 21-6-9 undergoes a structural phase transition from fcc to hcp structure at ～ 12.8 GPa with neglectable volume collapse within the determination error under the quasi-hydrostatic environment.The hcp structure remains stable up to the highest pressure of 250 GPa in the present experiments.The antiferromagnetic-to-nonmagnetic state transition of hcp SS21-6-9 with the changes of inconspicuous density and structure,is discovered at ～50 GPa,and revealed by the significant change in c/a ratio.The hcp SS-21-6-9 is compressive anisotropic:it is more compressive in the c-axis direction than in the a-axis direction.Both the equations of states(EOSs) of fcc and hcp SS 21-6-9,which are in accordance with those of fcc and hcp pure irons respectively,are also presented.Furthermore,the c/a ratio of hcp SS 21-6-9 at infinite compression,R∞,is consistent with the values of pure iron and Fe–10Ni alloy.     

Ab initio investigation of the mechanical properties of copper

Employing the ab initio total energy method based on the density functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation, we have systematically investigated the theoretical mechanical properties of copper (Cu). The theoretical tensile strengths are calculated to be 25.3 GPa, 5.9 GPa, and 37.6 GPa for the fcc Cu single crystal in the [001], [110], and [111] directions, respectively. Among the three directions, the [110] direction is the weakest one due to the occurrence of structure transition at the lower strain and the weakest interaction of atoms between the (110) planes, while the [111] direction is the strongest direction because of the strongest interaction of atoms between the (111) planes. In terms of the elastic constants of Cu single crystal, we also estimate some mechanical quantities of polycrystalline Cu, including bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young’s modulus E p , and Poisson’s ratio ν.     

Ab Initio Study on Structural and Magnetic Properties of Ni-Pd and Ni-Pt Linear and Zigzag Nanowires

Employing the accurate frozen-core full-potential projector augmented-wave method, the self-consistent electronic structure calculations were carried out on pure Ni, Pd, Pt and mixed Ni-Pd and Ni-Pt free-standing linear and zigzag nanowires. The bond lengths for all these systems are generally increased as their structures change from the linear to the zigzag chain. The bond lengths for Ni-Pd and Ni-Pt wires are in between the values of corresponding pure system and the bond angles around 60° suggesting the possible formation of Ni-Pd and Ni-Pt bimetallic materials. In mixed Ni-Pd and Ni-Pt chains, the Ni, Pd, and Pt atoms have quite high local magnetic moments. The calculations suggest that the magnetic moments in linear nanowires are generally larger than the ones of corresponding zigzag nanowires. It is found that there is hybridization between Ni 3d and Pd 4d, Ni 3d and Pt 5d states, which may significantly affect structural stability and magnetism of Ni-Pd and Ni-Pt nanowires.     

Density functional theory study of Mg2Nin （n = 1-8） clustersDensity functional theory study of Mg2Nin （n = 1-8） clustersDensity functional theory study of Mg2Nin （n = 1-8） clustersDensity functional theory study of Mg2Nin （n = 1-8） clustersDensity functional theory study of Mg2Nin （n = 1-8） clusters

The density functional theory B3PW91 with LANL2DZ basis sets has been used to study the possible geometries of Mg2Nin （n - 1-8） clusters. For the lowest energy structures of the clusters, stabilities, electronic properties, and natural bond orbital （NBO） are calculated and discussed. The results show that the doped Mg atoms reduce the stabilities of pure Ni clusters. The Mg2Ni2, Mg2Ni4, and Mg2Ni6 clusters are more stable than neighboring clusters. The system appears magic number characteristics. In addition, the hybridization phenomenon occurs, owing to the interaction of Mg and Ni. The result of charge transfer is that Ni atom is negative and the Mg atom is positive. We also conclude that the 3p and 4d orbitals of the Ni atom have an effect on the stabilities of the clusters.     

Ni纳米线的结构和性质研究

采用推广模拟退火算法(Generalized Simulated Annealing,GSA)和Sutton-Chen势,研究了初始构型为面心立方(fcc)结构的Ni纳米线,在沿径向压缩时的结构和性质.结果表明:径向压缩程度对Ni纳米线的结构有很大的影响.当Ni纳米线直径大于0.398nm时(初始直径为0.498nm),其结构由fcc结构变为类似fcc结构,但结合能变化很小,表明其结构之间几乎可以实现零能量转换,且稳定性基本不变;当Ni纳米线直径小于0.398nm时,其结构从无定形结构变为缺陷结构,结合能迅速上升,表明其结构稳定性降低;键角的分布也证明了以上结果的正确性.     

面心立方单晶镍纳米线稳定性及磁性的第一性原理计算

本文采用第一性原理方法,研究了轴向为低指数晶向的面心立方(fcc)单晶镍纳米线的稳定性和磁性.计算表明,[110] 是fcc镍纳米线最容易出现的取向,[111] 取向次之,而 [001] 取向则很难出现,这一结果与实验事实符合.镍纳米线按照原子位置和磁性强弱的不同,可以分成简单的芯-壳结构,在纳米线芯部,原子的磁矩大小与块体基本一致.在纳米线表面,镍原子的磁矩比芯部原子有所增加.表面原子磁矩与轴向的取向相关,[110] 为轴向的纳米线表面原子磁矩最低,而[001] 为轴向的纳米线表面原子磁矩最高. 关键词： 镍 纳米线 第一性原理 原子磁矩     

Self-consistent semi-relativistic energy band structure of fcc and tetragonal Ni metal

The electronic structure of paramagnetic and ferromagnetic fcc Ni and tetragonal Ni has been determined by means of self-consistent semi-relativistic linear muffin-tin orbital (LMTO) energy band studies. The paramagnetic studies used the local density exchange-correlation potential of Hedin et al. whereas the ferromagnetic spin-polarized calculations used the local spin-density exchange-correlation potential of Gunnarson et al. The magnetic moments (0.54 μ_B), magnetization density, Fermi contact hyperfine fields and Fermi surface areas are found to agree with experiment and with other theoretical calculations, notably those of Wang and Callaway. For tetragonal Ni, distorted along the [111] direction similar to the local strain of Ni layers between Cu layers in modulated structures, the magnetic moment (0.46 μ_B) and resultant hyperfine fields are reduced substantially from that determined for fcc Ni.     

碳纳米管内Ni纳米线的螺旋度与热稳定性研究

本文采用分子动力学模拟方法研究了扶手型碳纳米管包裹Ni纳米线的复合结构, 主要讨论内部Ni纳米线的螺旋度和热稳定性.结果表明, Ni纳米线为多壳层螺旋结构, 各壳层是由多条Ni原子链螺旋而成,不同层的螺旋度不同,内层的螺旋度明显大于外层. 当每层的Ni原子链条数为3的整数倍时,其螺旋度最大. Ni纳米线的螺旋度与碳纳米管的管径相关,各层螺旋度的大小随管径的增加有明显的周期性变化. 碳纳米管对Ni纳米线有很好的保护作用,即使是高温对Ni纳米线的结构及螺旋度也影响很小.     

量子局域效应和应力对GaSb纳米线电子结构影响的第一性原理研究

采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理计算方法, 研究了不同晶体结构和尺寸的GaSb纳米线能带结构特性和载流子的有效质量, 以及单轴应力对GaSb纳米线能带结构的调控. 研究结果表明: 闪锌矿结构[111]方向和纤锌矿结构[0001]方向的小尺寸GaSb纳米线均出现间接带隙的能带结构, 并可通过单轴应力来实现纳米线能带结构由间接带隙到直接带隙的转变, 其中, 闪锌矿结构[111]方向GaSb纳米线仅在受到单轴拉伸应力时才发生能带由间接带隙到直接带隙的转变, 而纤锌矿结构[0001]方向GaSb纳米线无论受单轴拉伸还是压缩应力的作用均可实现能带由间接带隙到直接带隙的转变; [111]和[0001]方向GaSb纳米线的带隙和载流子有效质量与纳米线直径呈非线性关系, 并随纳米线直径的减小而增大; 同一方向和尺寸的GaSb纳米线, 其空穴有效质量要小于电子有效质量, 这表明小尺寸GaSb纳米线有利于空穴载流子输运.     

Microstructure and magnetic properties in arrays of ac electrodeposited FexNi1?x nanowires induced by the continuous and pulse electrodeposition

FeNi nanowires were fabricated by ac and pulse electrodeposition into the alumina template matrix. The effects of continuous ac electrodeposition as well as pulse features on the structure and magnetic properties of the nanowire arrays were studied. The microstructures and magnetic properties of the Fe _x Ni_1−x nanowires are seen to be independent of the deposition frequency and off-time between the pulses. The ac electrodeposited Ni nanowires were not formed at more than 400  Hz deposition frequency, while the Fe _x Ni_1−x nanowires, containing a small amount of Fe, formed in the all frequencies. For x less than 50% the coercivity slowly increases but over 50% Fe added to the FeNi alloy increases the coercivity with a higher rate and maximum coercivity was seen for the Fe_0.97Ni_0.03. The Fe and Fe _x Ni_1−x nanowires containing less than 30 at.% Ni was seen to have a bcc structures with (110) preferential direction while Fe _x Ni_1−x nanowires with more than 30 at.% Ni showed (110) bcc (Fe) and/or (111) bcc (FeNi) plus (111) fcc (Ni). A preferential (111) fcc structure was obtained for the Ni nanowires.     

Growth and magnetic properties of single crystalline Ni nanowire arrays prepared by pulse DC electrodeposition

Highly textured Ni nanowire arrays were fabricated into anodic aluminum oxide(AAO) templates by pulse DC electrodeposition.The applied voltage and pH value of electrolytes were found strongly affecting the microstructure and magnetic properties of Ni nanowire arrays.Low applied potential and pH value both prefer to form polycrystalline fcc Ni nanowires.Increasing the applied potential or pH value favors the Ni [220] texture and even eventually forms the [220] oriented single crystal Ni wires,while exorbitan...     

Al纳米线不同晶向力学行为和变形机制的模拟

采用分子动力学模拟计算方法,考察具有较高层错能的Al纳米线沿不同晶向的力学行为和变形机制。在相同计算条件下与具有较低层错能的Ni、Cu、Au和Ag等FCC金属纳米线进行比较。结果表明：在力学行为方面,Al纳米线的弹性模量呈现明显的结构各向异性,满足E_[111] > E_[110] > E_[100]的关系,这一关系在FCC金属纳米线中普遍成立;Al纳米线的屈服应力随晶向呈现σ_y[100] > σ_y[111] > σ_y[110]的关系,这一关系在具有较低层错能的FCC金属纳米线中不具有普遍性,这与体系中位错形成机制密切相关。根据拉伸变形过程微观结构的演变规律,阐明Al纳米线不同晶向的变形机制,并与具有较低层错能的Ni、Cu、Au和Ag等FCC金属纳米线的变形机制进行比较。结果表明,对于尺度较小的高层错能Al纳米线,Schmid因子和广义层错能均难以准确预测其变形机制。     

THEORETICAL STRENGTH AND PHASE STABILITY OF Cu AND Ni UNDER [100] UNIAXIAL LOADING

Based on Born's criteria we studied phase stability and theoretical strength of fcc crystals of copper and nickel under [100] uniaxial loading. The calculation was carried out using a simple and completely analytical embedded atom method(EAM) potential proposed by the present authors. For Cu, the calculated value of its theoretical strength (0.33×10¹¹ dyn·cm^-2) agrees well with the experimental value (0.30×10¹¹ dyn·cm^-2), while the calculated strain (9.76%) is somewhat larger than the experimental one (2.8%). For Ni, its theoretical strength and strain predicted using the EAM potential are found smaller than those predicted using a pair potential. It is worthy to note that unlike previous calculations, in which pair potentials were used and three unstressed fcc, bcc, and fct structures included (for Ni only fcc state is found stable, while for Cu both fcc and bcc states are predicted stable), in present calculations using EAM potential the [100] primary loading path passes through only two zeroes (a stable unstressed fcc structure and an unstable stress-free bcc structure) either for Cu or for Ni.     

Novel structures and properties of gold nanowires

The structures of free-standing gold nanowires are studied by using molecular-dynamics-based genetic algorithm simulations. Helical and multiwalled cylindrical structures are found for the thinner nanowires, while bulk-like fcc structures eventually form in the thicker nanowires up to 3 nm in diameter. This noncrystalline-crystalline transition starts from the core region of nanowires. The vibrational, electronic, and transport properties of nanowires are investigated based on the optimal structures. Bulklike behaviors are found for the vibrational and electronic properties of the nanowires with fcc crystalline structure. The conductance of nanowires generally increases with wire diameter and depends on the wire structure.