Elastic,electronic and thermodynamic properties of fluoro-perovskite KZnF3 via first-principles calculations

The elastic, electronic and thermodynamic properties of fluoro-perovskite KZnF₃ have been calculated using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method. The exchange-correlation potential is treated with the generalized gradient approximation of Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (GGA-PBE). Also, we have used the Engel and Vosko GGA formalism (GGA-EV) to improve the electronic band structure calculations. The calculated structural properties are in good agreement with available experimental and theoretical data. The elastic constants C _ij are calculated using the total energy variation with strain technique. The shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio and the Lamé coefficients for polycrystalline KZnF₃ aggregates are estimated in the framework of the Voigt-Reuss-Hill approximations. The ductility behavior of this compound is interpreted via the calculated elastic constants C _ij . Electronic and bonding properties are discussed from the calculations of band structure, density of states and electron charge density. The thermodynamic properties are predicted through the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the lattice vibrations are taken into account. The variation of bulk modulus, lattice constant, heat capacities and the Debye temperature with pressure and temperature are successfully obtained.     

Effect of Mn doping on mechanical properties and electronic structure of WCoB ternary boride by first-principles calculations

The first-principles calculations are performed to investigate the structural, mechanical property, hardness, and electronic structure of WCoB with 0, 8.33, 16.67, 25, and 33.33 at.% Mn doping content and W_2 CoB_2 with 0, 10, and 20 at.%Mn doping content. The cohesive energy and formation energy indicate that all the structures can retain good structural stability. According to the calculated elastic constants, Mn is responsible for the increase of ductility and Poisson's ratio and the decrease of Young's modulus, shear modulus, and bulk modulus. By using the population analysis and mechanical properties, the hardness is characterized through using the five hardness models and is found to decrease with the Mn doping content increasing. The calculated electronic structure indicates that the formation of a B–Mn covalent bond and a W–Mn metallic bond contribute to the decreasing of the mechanical properties.     

超导体MgB2弹性常数的第一原理计算

利用全势线性muffin-tin轨道(FP-LMTO)方法, 结合在密度泛函理论框架下的广义梯度近似, 研究了六角密堆积结构超导体MgB2的晶格参数, 弹性常数, 以及体积模量及其对压强的微分. 计算结果显示当晶格参数c和a的比率c/a大约为1.138时, MgB2的结构最稳定.本文所得到的计算结果与实验值及其他作者利用不同方法得到的计算值相符合.     

高压下固态Kr弹性性质、电子结构和光学性质的第一性原理计算

采用密度泛函理论中平面波基矢,模守恒赝势结合局域密度近似以及广义梯度近似对固态Kr在高压下的结构以及弹性性质进行了研究, 通过计算发现弹性常数,Debye温度以及声速都随压力的增大而增大,所计算的弹性常数与实验和其他的理论符合的很好. 利用Debye模型得到了固态Kr的热力学性质, 熵随压力的增大而减小,随温度升高而升高;而定容热容C_v,定压热容C_p则随温度升高而升高,而且C_v在达到一定温度时趋于定值,所得的热力学性质和实验值是相符的．最后还预测了固态Kr在高压下的电子结构和光学性质, 计算结果表明随压力的增加固态Kr的前沿能带变窄,光吸收系数增大,吸收峰增宽,电子更容易发生跃迁,固态Kr有可能转化为半导体． 关键词： Kr 第一性原理 弹性常数 光学性质     

高压下CaPo弹性性质和热力学性质的第一性原理研究

利用密度泛函理论的平面波赝势方法预测研究了CaPo从岩盐结构(B1结构)到氯化铯结构(B2结构)的相变以及B1结构CaPo高压下的弹性性质以及热力学性质等.通过等焓原理发现B1→B2的相变压力为22.8GPa. 同时计算了B1结构CaPo高压下的弹性常数以及剪切模量、杨氏模量等相关弹性参数,结果发现当压力超过20GPa时,B1结构CaPo开始不稳定了,这和等焓原理所得结果相符合. 最后通过Debye模型成功获取了B1结构C 关键词： 相变 弹性性质 热力学性质 CaPo     

The structural stability, elastic constants and electronic structure of Al-Sr intermetallics by first-principles calculations

The lattice constants, enthalpies of formation, elastic constants and electronic structures of Al-Sr intermetallics have been calculated by first-principles method within generalized gradient approximation. The calculated lattice constants and enthalpies of formation are in good agreement with experimental and other theoretical results. The polycrystalline bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio are also estimated from the calculated single crystalline elastic constants. The total and partial electronic densities of state for the intermetallics were obtained, and the results indicated that Al₂Sr-oI is more stable than Al₂Sr-cF. Finally, longitudinal, transverse and average sound velocities and Debye temperature are estimated.     

Elastic,electronic and thermal properties of topological insulator SmB6: first-principles calculations

Abstract

The pressure dependence of the structural, elastic, electronic and thermal properties of Kondo insulator SmB₆ have been systematically studied by density functional theory combined with the quasi-harmonic Debye model. The calculated structure at zero pressure is in good agreement with the available experimental results at low temperature. The obtained elastic constants, bulk modulus and shear modulus indicate that SmB₆ is mechanically stable and behaves in a brittle manner under the applied pressure 0–20 GPa, consistent with available experimental data. In addition, the elastic-relevant properties, Young’s modulus and the Poisson ratio manifest that increasing pressure results in an enhancement in the stiffness of the compound. It is found that unlike temperature, pressure has little effect on the heat capacity of SmB_6. What more important is that we observed an insulator to metal phase transition at about 5.5 GPa through the disappearance of the band gap, well consistent with the experimental data. This transition has little effect on the physical properties of SmB₆.     

Elastic and thermodynamic properties of c-BN from first-principles calculations

The elastic constants and thermodynamic properties of c-BN are calculated using the first-principles plane wave method with the relativistic analytic pseudopotential of the Hartwigen, Goedecker and Hutter (HGH) type in the frame of local density approximation and using the quasi-harmonic Debye model, separately. Moreover, the dependences of the normalized volume V/V₀ on pressure P, as well as the bulk modulus B, the thermal expansion α, and the heat capacity C_V on pressure P and temperature T are also successfully obtained.     

Mg2Sn电子结构及热力学性质的第一性原理计算

采用基于第一性原理的赝势平面波方法系统地计算了Mg2Sn基态的电子结构、弹性常数和热力学性质.计算结果表明Mg2Sn的禁带宽度为0.1198eV.运用线性响应方法确定了声子色散关系和态密度,得出Mg2Sn的热力学性质如等容比热和德拜温度.计算Mg2Sn的热导率并与实验数据相比较.     

Magnetism and electronic structure of Mn- and V-doped zinc blende ZnTe from first-principles calculations

By means of the first-principles full potential linearized augmented plane-wave method within the local density approximation for the exchange-correlation functional, we have investigated the magnetism and electronic structure of Mn- and V-doped zinc blende ZnTe. Total energy calculations show that, for high doping concentration (12.5%), ZnTe:Mn has an antiferromagnetic ground state while the ferromagnetic state is more favorable than the antiferromagnetic state for ZnTe:V. Furthermore, ZnTe with a low doping of Mn (6.25%) has a stable ferromagnetic ground state, which is in agreement with the experimental results. The calculated magnetic moment of ZnTe doped with Mn (V) mainly originates from transition metal Mn (V) atom with a little contribution from Te atom due to the hybridization between Mn (V) 3d and Te 5p electrons. Electronic structure indicates that Mn-doped ZnTe is a semiconductor, but V-doped ZnTe shows a half-metallic characteristic. We also discuss the difference between electronic and magnetic properties for ZnTe doped with 12.5% and 6.25% Mn.     

Composition, structure, and properties of tantalum boride nanostructured films

The structure, as well as the phase and elemental compositions, of tantalum diboride-based nanostructured films deposited by rf magnetron sputtering under various conditions are studied by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and secondary ion mass spectrometry. The physicomechanical properties of the films (hardness, as well as elastic and plastic properties) are determined. The maximum hardness and elastic modulus of the synthesized films are 42 are 240 GPa, respectively. The grain size is found to influence the physicomechanical and electrical properties of the films.     

Mg2Sn电子结构及热力学性质的第一性原理计算

采用基于第一性原理的赝势平面波方法系统地计算了Mg₂Sn基态的电子结构、弹性常数和热力学性质.计算结果表明Mg₂Sn的禁带宽度为0.1198eV.运用线性响应方法确定了声子色散关系和态密度,得出Mg₂Sn的热力学性质如等容比热和德拜温度.计算Mg₂Sn的热导率并与实验数据相比较. 关键词： 第一性原理 电子结构 弹性常数 热力学性质     

Structural and electronic properties of solid naphthalene under pressure: density functional calculations

The pressure effect on the geometrical and electronic structures of crystallinenaphthalene is calculated up to 30 GPa by performing density functional calculations. Thelattice parameters a, b, and c, decrease by 1.77 Å (–20.4%), 0.85 Å (–14.1%),and 0.91 Å (–8.2%), respectively, while the monoclinic angle β increasesby 3.95° in this pressureregion. At the highest pressure of 30 GPa the unit cell volume decreases by 62.7%. Thedetailed analysis of the molecular arrangement within crystal structure reveals that themolecular motion becomes more and more localized, and hints towards the evolution ofintermolecular interaction with pressure. Moreover, the electronic structure ofnaphthalene under high pressure is also discussed. A pressure induced decrease of the bandgap is observed.     

Validity of local density kinetic energy expressions for electronic structure calculations

Local density expressions provide a simple and flexible means of calculating kinetic energies. Recently it has been ascertained that such expressions can be quite accurate (to within 1%) in obtaining the total kinetic energy of an atomic system. However, we shall demonstrate that local density kinetic energy expressions, as presently formulated, are not appropriate for molecular or solid state calculations. In particular, these expressions do not properly describe trends appropriate for valence electron charge density configurations.     

Structural stabilities and band structure characteristics of platinum nitride (PtN) via first-principles calculations

The structural phase transformations of the PtN compound with a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio of Pt:N were investigated using the framework of density functional theory (DFT). The full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within the generalized gradient (PBE-GGA) and the Engel–Vosko generalized gradient (EV-GGA) approximations were used. A comparative study of the experimental and theoretical results is provided on the structural properties of zinc-blende (ZB), rock-salt (RS), cesium chloride (CsCl), wurtzite (WZ), nickel arsenide (NiAs), lead monoxide (PbO), and tungsten carbide (WC) phases. The calculated band structure using the modified version of the Becke and Johnson (mBJ) exchange potential reveals the metallic character of the PtN compound. The present study also shows that the PtN compound crystallizes in the WZ phase under ambient conditions. The theoretical transition pressures from WZ to RS, NiAs, PbO, and CsCl transformations are found to be 9.441 GPa, 7.705 GPa, 18.345 GPa and 31.9 GPa, respectively, using the PBE-GGA method.     

Mechanical stability and thermodynamic properties of OsC from first-principles calculations

The elastic and thermodynamic characteristics of OsC crystal have been predicted through a method of density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). Compared with WC-type OsC, NaCl-type OsC is not only energy unfavorable but also mechanics unstable. The five independent elastic constants (C_ij), bulk modulus (B₀), the dependence of bulk modulus on temperature and pressure as well as the thermal expansion coefficient (α_V) at various temperatures for WC-type OsC are discussed. According to our calculations, WC-type OsC should be an ultra-incompressible material with high bulk modulus about 381 GPa. In addition, the bulk modulus will increase with increasing pressure while decrease with increasing temperature. The researches on the thermal expansion coefficient indicate that there will be a knee point during the process of thermal expansion coefficient variation versus increasing temperature. Our results may provide useful information for theoretical and experimental investigation of OsC.     

First-principles calculations of BC4N nanostructures: stability and electronic structure

In this work, we apply first-principles methods to investigate the stability and electronic structure of BC₄N nanostructures which were constructed from hexagonal graphite layers where substitutional nitrogen and boron atoms are placed at specific sites. These layers were rolled up to form zigzag and armchair nanotubes, with diameters varying from 7 to 12 Å, or cut and bent to form nanocones, with 60^° and 120^° disclination angles. The calculation results indicate that the most stable structures are the ones which maximize the number of B–N and C–C bonds. It is found that the zigzag nanotubes are more stable than the armchair ones, where the strain energy decreases with increasing tube diameter D, following a 1/D ² law. The results show that the 60^° disclination nanocones are the most stable ones. Additionally, the calculated electronic properties indicate a semiconducting behavior for all calculated structures, which is intermediate to the typical behaviors found for hexagonal boron nitride and graphene.     

Retinal in bacteriorhodopsin and related molecular models investigated with Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations

A first‐principles assisted study of the Raman spectrum associated with the photoactive chromophore in bacteriorhodopsin (bR) allowed the elucidation of the effective coupling existing between the π electrons of the retinylidene chromophore and the local environment of the Schiff base. The role of the counter‐ion on the electronic and vibrational structure of the chromophore is investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Several molecular models of the retinylidene chromophore interacting with different counter‐ions facing the Schiff base have been considered. The counter‐ion induces a strong modulation of the position of both the UV–vis absorption maximum and the strong Raman active collective CC stretching mode, related to the effective conjugation coordinate (ECC). Experimental Raman and UV–vis absorption data are interpreted in the light of these theoretical findings. The data collected in this paper provide an interesting accumulation of points along the optical gap versus ECC wavenumber relationship. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Valence electronic structure of tantalum carbide and nitride

The valence electronic structures of tantalum carbide (TaC) and tantalum nitride (TaN) are studied by using the empirical electronic theory (EET). The results reveal that the bonds of these compounds have covalent, metallic and ionic characters. For a quantitative analysis of the relative strength of these components, their ionicities have been calculated by implanting the results of EET to the PVL model. It has been found that the ionicity of tantalum carbide is smaller than that of tantalum nitride. The EET results also reveal that the covalent electronic number of the strongest bond in the former is larger than that of the latter. All these suggest that the covalent bond of TaC is stronger than that of TaN, which coincides to that deduced from the first-principles method.