Electron energy structure and X-ray spectra of wide-band GaN, AlN, and AlN-GaN semiconductors

The electronic energy structure of GaN, AlN, and AlGaN crystals with the wurzite structure is calculated by the local coherent potential method using the cluster version of the MT-approximation within the framework of the multiple scattering theory. The calculated densities of electron states are compared with XPS spectra of gallium and aluminum, AlL _{II, III} XES, and also with K-spectra of gallium and AlL _{II, III} XAFS absorption. The comparison of the electronic structure of Al_xGa_1?x N crystals and binary GaN and AlN and the interpretation of their features are performed. The concentration dependence of the width of the upper subband of the valence band and the band gap in Al_xGa_1?x N (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) crystals on the content of aluminum is studied and its non-linear character shown.     

Electronic energy structure of MBiS2 (M = Li, Na, K) calculated with allowance for the difference between the M-S and Bi-S bond lengths

The modified augmented plane wave method (WIEN2k program) was used to study the electronic energy structure and calculate the SK-absorption spectra of LiBiS₂, NaBiS₂, and KBiS₂. The crystal structures of the compounds were modeled using symmetric structures, in which each sulfur atom was surrounded by three alkali metal atoms and three bismuth atoms in such a way that the alkali metal-sulfur and bismuth-sulfur bond length differed. This difference between bond lengths was calculated from the sum of the ionic radii of the components of compounds and by the geometry optimization of the crystal lattice. The two variants of calculation allowed us to check the applicability of Pauling’s idea about preservation of the bond lengths of elements in compounds for modeling the crystal structures of LiBiS₂, NaBiS₂, and KBiS₂. The SK absorption spectra and optically forbidden bands were calculated.     

Analysis of the electronic structure of Hf(Si0.5As0.5)As by X-ray photoelectron and photoemission spectroscopy

The ternary hafnium silicon arsenide, Hf(Si_xAs_1−x)As, has been synthesized with a phase width of 0.5?x?0.7. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies on Hf(Si_0.5As_0.5)As showed that it adopts the ZrSiS-type structure (Pearson symbol tP6, space group P4/nmm, Z=2, a=3.6410(5) Å, c=8.155(1) Å). Physical property measurements indicated that it is metallic and Pauli paramagnetic. The electronic structure of Hf(Si_0.5As_0.5)As was investigated by examining plate-shaped crystals with laboratory-based X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy (PES). The Si 2p and As 3d XPS binding energies were consistent with assignments of anionic Si¹⁻ and As^1-. However, the Hf charge could not be determined by analysis of the Hf 4f binding energy because of electron delocalization in the 5d band. To examine these charge assignments further, the valence band spectrum obtained by XPS and PES was interpreted with the aid of TB-LMTO band structure calculations. By collecting the PES spectra at different excitation energies to vary the photoionization cross-sections, the contributions from different elements to the valence band spectrum could be isolated. Fitting the XPS valence band spectrum to these elemental components resulted in charges that confirm that the formulation of the product is Hf²⁺[(Si_0.5As_0.5)As]²⁻.     

Experiment‐Driven Modeling of Crystalline Phosphorus Nitride P3N5: Wide‐Ranging Implications from a Unique Structure

Nitridophosphates have emerged as advanced materials due to their structural variability and broad technical applicability. Their binary parent compound P₃N₅, a polymeric network of corner‐ and edge‐sharing PN₄ tetrahedra with N 2 and N 3 sites, is a particularly interesting example. We present a study of the band gap and electronic structure of α‐P₃N₅ by using soft X‐ray spectroscopy measurements and DFT calculations. The band gap, which is crucial for all applications, is measured to be 5.87±0.20 eV. This agrees well with the calculated, indirect band gap of 5.21 eV. The density of states are found to show dramatic variation between the nonequivalent N sites and a high degree of covalency. Coupled to these results is what is, to our knowledge, the largest core hole shift reported to date for a soft X‐ray absorption spectrum. We propose an intuitive bonding scheme for α‐P₃N₅ that explains the observed band gap and unique density of states, while providing a framework for predicting these properties in known and yet to be discovered PN compounds. We briefly consider the implications of these results for new low‐dimensional P and PN materials, which alongside graphene, could become important materials for nanoelectronics.     

Determination of the parameters of atomic pair correlations in nickel oxide films by the electron energy loss fine structure method

The electron energy loss extended fine structure (EELFS) spectra were obtained from the pure nickel surface (M _2,3 EELFS) of a stoichiometric NiO film (NiM _2,3 and OK EELFS spectra) and the “nonhomogeneous” oxide film on the surface of nickel Ni-O (NiM _2,3 and OK EELFS spectra). The amplitudes and intensities of electron transitions for the core levels of atoms were calculated with regard for the multiplicity of electron impact excitation of the corresponding core levels of atoms. The corresponding normalized oscillating terms were isolated using the results of calculations based on the experimental EELFS spectra. Agreement between the experimental and calculated (on Ni and NiO test objects) data showed that the theoretical approaches used and the calculated data for describing the EELFS spectra are good approximations. Using the results of calculations and the parameters of secondary electron elastic scattering (FEEF-8 data) we obtained the atomic pair correlation functions from the experimental normalized oscillating parts of the EELFS spectra by Tikhonov’s regularization method.     

Theoretical study on the structures and electronic spectra of C120On (n=1,2)

ZINDO series calculations have been carried out to study the double‐cage oxides C₁₂₀O_n (n=1,2). The results show that the formation of a furan ring by the bridge‐bond between the two cages connected the two C₆₀ fullerene units and formed the C₁₂₀O with C_2v symmetry. C₁₂₀O₂ has two isomers with C_2v symmetry depending on either 6–6 or 6–5 connection between the two cages. Two furan rings and a pure four‐member ring form in this molecule. The formation of C₁₂₀O assuages the constraint of epoxide structure in C₆₀O, shortens the distance of the monomers, and produces some finite interaction between the two balls. More bonding in C₁₂₀O₂ shortens the distance of the two cages further and brings about stronger interaction. However, the two cages in C₁₂₀O_n (n=1,2) behave somehow independently that the electronic spectra of C₁₂₀O_n (n=1,2) are similar to those of C₆₀. The 6–6 connection isomer of C₁₂₀O₂ is more stable; its spectra are in good agreement with those of the experiment. The calculated electronic spectra of C₁₂₀O not only are in good agreement with the experiment in the ultraviolet region but also get some weak peaks in the visible region (>400 nm) not observed in experiment. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 79: 291–307, 2000     

DFT and experimental studies of the structure and vibrational spectra of curcumin

The potential energy surface of curcumin [1,7‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐1,6‐heptadiene‐3,5‐dione] was explored with the DFT correlation functional B3LYP method using 6‐311G* basis. The single‐point calculations were performed at levels up to B3LYP/6‐311++G**//B3LYP/6‐311G*. All isomers were located and relative energies determined. According to the calculation the planar enol form is more stable than the nonplanar diketo form. The results of the optimized molecular structure are presented and compared with the experimental X‐ray diffraction. In addition, harmonic vibrational frequencies of the molecule were evaluated theoretically using B3LYP density functional methods. The computed vibrational frequencies were used to determine the types of molecular motions associated with each of the experimental bands observed. Our vibrational data show that in both the solid state and in all studied solutions curcumin exists in the enol form. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

X-ray photoelectron spectra and Auger studies of the surface oxidation of cobalt

Surface oxidation of Co has been investigated at different temperatures in the 300–600 K range at oxygen exposures upto 10⁶ L by XPES and AES techniques. In the XPES, both the valence band and core level bands have been employed to monitor the oxidation while in the AES, metal Auger intensity ratios as well as O(KLL)/Co(L₂₃M₄₅M₄₅) ratios have been examined. Only CoO is formed on the surface at high oxygen exposures at and above 500 K. Communication No. 62 from the Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit.     

X-ray emission and X-ray photoelectron studies of electron density distribution in Cu(II) complexes with 2-imidazoline nitroxides

Electron density distribution in Cu(II) complexes with 2-imidazoline nitroxides was investigated by X-ray emission and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The structure of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the compounds is determined mainly by the interaction of the metal with the donor atoms of the ligands. Coordination of the nitroxide by the Cu(hfac)₂ acceptor matrix changes the shape of the CuL _α spectral line. The 3s X-ray photoelectron spectra provide evidence about the transfer of electron density to the copper atom in the complexes.     

Determination of charge-transfer electron transitions in tungsten tetrahydride complexes stabilized by organophosphorus ligands by X-ray photoelectron and UV absorption spectra

A change in the energy of the long-wave transition in the UV absorption spectra of tetrahydride complexes WH₄L₄ is equal to the change in the energy of the internal 2p-level of phosphorus. Based on the correlation determined, the electron transitions related to the long-wave absorption bands in the UV spectra were assigned to the charge-transfer transitions from the organophosphorus ligand to tungsten. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 776–779, April, 1997.     

Interstitial Zn atoms do the trick in thermoelectric zinc antimonide, Zn4Sb3: a combined maximum entropy method X-ray electron density and ab initio electronic structure study

The experimental electron density of the high-performance thermoelectric material Zn4Sb3 has been determined by maximum entropy (MEM) analysis of short-wavelength synchrotron powder diffraction data. These data are found to be more accurate than conventional single-crystal data due to the reduction of common systematic errors, such as absorption, extinction and anomalous scattering. Analysis of the MEM electron density directly reveals interstitial Zn atoms and a partially occupied main Zn site. Two types of Sb atoms are observed: a free spherical ion (Sb3-) and Sb2(4-) dimers. Analysis of the MEM electron density also reveals possible Sb disorder along the c axis. The disorder, defects and vacancies are all features that contribute to the drastic reduction of the thermal conductivity of the material. Topological analysis of the thermally smeared MEM density has been carried out. Starting with the X-ray structure ab initio computational methods have been used to deconvolute structural information from the space-time data averaging inherent to the XRD experiment. The analysis reveals how interstitial Zn atoms and vacancies affect the electronic structure and transport properties of beta-Zn4Sb3. The structure consists of an ideal A12Sb10 framework in which point defects are distributed. We propose that the material is a 0.184:0.420:0.396 mixture of A12Sb10, A11BCSb10 and A10BCDSb10 cells, in which A, B, C and D are the four Zn sites in the X-ray structure. Given the similar density of states (DOS) of the A12Sb10, A11BCSb10 and A10BCDSb10 cells, one may electronically model the defective stoichiometry of the real system either by n-doping the 12-Zn atom cell or by p-doping the two 13-Zn atom cells. This leads to similar calculated Seebeck coefficients for the A12Sb10, A11BCSb10 and A10BCDSb10 cells (115.0, 123.0 and 110.3 microV K(-1) at T=670 K). The model system is therefore a p-doped semiconductor as found experimentally. The effect is dramatic if these cells are doped differently with respect to the experimental electron count. Thus, 0.33 extra electrons supplied to either kind of cell would increase the Seebeck coefficient to about 260 microV K(-1). Additional electrons would also lower sigma, so the resulting effect on the thermoelectric figure of merit of Zn4Sb3 challenges further experimental work.     

The molecular and electronic structure features of silatranes, germatranes, and their carbon analogs

Molecular geometries of fifty-six metallatranes N(CH₂CH₂Y)₃M-X and fifty-six carbon analogs HC(CH₂CH₂Y)₃M-X (M = Si, Ge; X = H, Me, OH, F; Y = CH₂, O, NH, NMe, NSiMe₃, PH, S) were optimized by the DFT method. Correlations between changes in the bond orbital populations, electron density ρ(r), electron density laplacian ∇²ρ(r), |λ₁|/λ₃ ratio, electronic energy density E(r), bond lengths, and displacement of the central atom from the plane of three equatorial substituents and the nature of substituents X and Y were studied. As the number of electronegative substituents at the central atom increases, the M←N, M-X, and M-Y bond lengths decrease, while the M←N bond strength and the electron density at critical points of the M←N, M-X, and M-Y bonds increase. An increase in electronegativity of a substituent (X or Y) is accompanied by a decrease in the ionicities of the other bonds (M-X, M-Y, and M←N) formed by the central atom (Si, Ge). A new molecular orbital diagram for bond formation is proposed, which takes into account the interaction of all five substituents at the central atom (M = Si, Ge) in atrane molecules. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 448–460, March, 2006.     

LaSeTe2-temperature dependent structure investigation and electron holography on a charge-density-wave-hosting compound

Single crystals of LaSeTe(2) have been prepared by reaction of the elements in a LiCl/RbCl flux at 970 K for seven days. Satellite reflections observed in diffraction experiments indicate the presence of an incommensurate lattice distortion, which is of the charge-density-wave (CDW) type. The modulated structure has been solved from X-ray data at 173, 293, and 373 K. LaSeTe(2) crystallizes in the 3+1-dimensional orthorhombic superspace group Cmcm(00gamma)s00 (No. 63.2) with lattice parameters of a=4.295(1), b=25.371(4), c=4.306(1) A (173 K), a=4.297(1), b=25.408(4), c=4.309(1) A (293 K), and a=4.309(1), b=25.481(6), c=4.321(1) A (373 K). The modulation vector q=(0, 0, 0.288) does not change over the temperature interval. Electron holographic investigations confirm the existence of the modulation and help to visualize the charge-density wave.     

基于一氧化碳、二氧化碳和氧气分子吸附为探针的碳化钼、碳化钨、氮化钼和氮化钨的表面化学性质：密度泛函理论分析

作为具有吸引力的电极材料,过渡金属碳化物与氮化物被应用在许多电化学储能及能量转换领域. 本工作中,通过密度泛函理论计算,以及一氧化碳 （CO）, 二氧化碳（CO₂）和 氧气（O₂）分子的吸附来表征钼和钨的碳化物及氮化物,如碳化钼（Mo₂C）、碳化钨（W₂C）、氮化钼（Mo₂N）和氮化钨（Mo₂C）的表面化学性质. 这些探针分子可为研究钼和钨的碳化物及氮化物表面在酸性/碱性的氧化还原性质提供衡量方法. 计算结果表明,CO₂分子的吸附发生在路易斯碱位,其碱性降低顺序为α-W₂C(001) > α-W₂N(001) > β-Mo₂C(001) > γ-Mo₂N(100). 此外,CO和O₂分子吸附可用于评估上述碳化物及氮化物的还原能力,其还原性减小顺序为β-W₂C(100) > α-Mo₂C(100) > α-W₂N(001) > α-W₂C(001) > β-Mo₂C(001) > γ-Mo₂N(100). 由于还原本性,使得上述这些碳化物和氮化物成为在各种催化反应中有可能取代贵金属的良好候选材料.     

Theory of variational calculation with a scaling correct moment functional to solve the electronic schrödinger equation directly for ground state one‐electron density and electronic energy

The reduction of the electronic Schrodinger equation or its calculating algorithm from 4N‐dimensions to a nonlinear, approximate density functional of a three spatial dimension one‐electron density for an N electron system which is tractable in practice, is a long‐desired goal in electronic structure calculation. In a seminal work, Parr et al. (Phys. Rev. A 1997, 55, 1792) suggested a well behaving density functional in power series with respect to density scaling within the orbital‐free framework for kinetic and repulsion energy of electrons. The updated literature on this subject is listed, reviewed, and summarized. Using this series with some modifications, a good density functional approximation is analyzed and solved via the Lagrange multiplier device. (We call the attention that the introduction of a Lagrangian multiplier to ensure normalization is a new element in this part of the related, general theory.) Its relation to Hartree–Fock (HF) and Kohn–Sham (KS) formalism is also analyzed for the goal to replace all the analytical Gaussian based two and four center integrals (∫g_i( r ₁)g_k( r ₂)rd r ₁d r ₂, etc.) to estimate electron‐electron interactions with cheaper numerical integration. The KS method needs the numerical integration anyway for correlation estimation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Models for the active site in galactose oxidase: Structure, spectra and redox of copper(II) complexes of certain phenolate ligands

Galactose oxidase (GOase) is a fungal enzyme which is unusual among metalloenzymes in appearing to catalyse the two electron oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes and H₂O₂. The crystal structure of the enzyme reveals that the coordination geometry of mononuclear copper(II) ion is square pyramidal, with two histidine imidazoles, a tyrosinate, and either H₂O (pH 7.0) or acetate (from buffer,pH 4-5) in the equatorial sites and a tyrosinate ligand weakly bound in the axial position. This paper summarizes the results of our studies on the structure, spectral and redox properties of certain novel models for the active site of the inactive form of GOase. The monophenolato Cu(II) complexes of the type [Cu(L1)X][H(L1) = 2-(bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)aminomethyl)-4-nitrophenol and X⁻ = Cl⁻ 1, NCS⁻ 2, CH₃COO⁻ 3, ClO₄ ⁻ 4] reveal a distorted square pyramidal geometry around Cu(II) with an unusual axial coordination of phenolate moiety. The coordination geometry of 3 is reminiscent of the active site of GOase with an axial phenolate and equatorial CH₃COO⁻ ligands. All the present complexes exhibit several electronic and EPR spectral features which are also similar to the enzyme. Further, to establish the structural and spectroscopic consequences of the coordination of two tyrosinates in GOase enzyme, we studied the monomeric copper(II) complexes containing two phenolates and imidazole/pyridine donors as closer structural models for GOase. N,N-dimethylethylenediamine and N,N’-dimethylethylenediamine have been used as starting materials to obtain a variety of 2,4-disubstituted phenolate ligands. The X-ray crystal structures of the complexes [Cu(L5)(py)], (8) [H₂(L5) = N,N-dimethyl-N’,N’-bis(2-hydroxy-4-nitrobenzyl) ethylenediamine, py = pyridine] and [Cu(L8)(H₂O)] (11), [H₂(L8) = N,N’-dimethyl-N,N’-bis(2-hydroxy-4-nitrobenzyl)ethylenediamine] reveal distorted square pyramidal geometries around Cu(II) with the axial tertiary amine nitrogen and water coordination respectively. Interestingly, for the latter complex there are two different molecules present in the same unit cell containing the methyl groups of the ethylenediamine fragmentcis to each other in one molecule andtrans to each other in the other. The ligand field and EPR spectra of the model complexes reveal square-based geometries even in solution. The electrochemical and chemical means of generating novel radical species of the model complexes, analogous to the active form of the enzyme is presently under investigation.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic characterization,and X-ray crystal structure of tris(trimethylsilyl)cyanurate

Tris(trimethylsilyl)cyanurate, C₁₂H₂₇N₃O₃Si₃ (1), has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, Raman, ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR, and thermogravimetric methods. The molecular and crystal structure has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. This compound crystallized in space group P6₃/m (176), Z = 2 with a = 11.017(2), b = 11.017(2), c = 9.676(3) Å; α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 120°. The geometry of the molecule is compared with tris(trimethylsilyl)cyamelurate.     

X-Ray photoelectron spectra and electronic structure of pyrazolanthrone and its derivatives

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to investigate the electronic structures of pyrazolanthrone and its derivatives on the basis of quantum-chemical data. The high mobility of hydrogen atoms adjacent to the pyrrole atom as well as the existence of an intermolecular hydrogen bond were hypothesized. The considerable influence of the carbonyl group on redistribution of electronic density in a pyrazole fragment was observed.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2043–2045, November, 1994.