Structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the Mnben Ni(110) c(2×2) surface alloy

Using first-principles total energy method, we study the structural, the electronic and the magnetic properties of the MnNi(110) c(2×2) surface alloy. Paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, and antiferromagnetic surfaces in the top layer and the second layer are considered. It turns out that the substitutional alloy in the outermost layer with ferromagnetic surface is the most stable in all cases. The buckling of the Mn–Ni(110) c(2×2) surface alloy in the top layer is as large as 0.26á(1á=0.1 n13) and the weak rippling is 0.038 AA in the third layer, in excellent agreement with experimental results. It is proved that the magnetism of Mn can stabilize this surface alloy. Electronic structures show a large magnetic splitting for the Mn atom, which is slightly higher than that of Mn–Ni(100) c(2×2) surface alloy (3.41 eV) due to the higher magnetic moment. A large magnetic moment for the Mn atom is predicted to be 3.81 μ_B. We suggest the ferromagnetic order of the Mn moments and the ferromagnetic coupling to the Ni substrate, which confirms the experimental results. The magnetism of Mn is identified as the driving force of the large buckling and the work-function change. The comparison with the other magnetic surface alloys is also presented and some trends are predicted.     

The structural,electronic, and magnetic properties of SrFeOn（n=2 and 2.5）： a GGA＋U study

Using density-functional calculations within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA)+U framework,we investigate the structural,electronic,and magnetic properties of the ground states of SrFeOn (n = 2 and 2.5).The magnetism calculations show that the ground states of both SrFeO2 and SrFeO2.5 have G type antiferromagnetic ordering,with indirect band gaps of 0.89 and 0.79 eV,respectively.The electronic structure calculations demonstrate that Fe cations are in the high-spin state of (dz2 )2(dxz,dyz)2(dxy)1(dx2 y2 )1(S = 2),unlike the previous prediction of (dxz,dyz)3(dxy)1(dz2 )1(dx2 y2 )1(S = 2) for SrFeO2,and in the high-spin state of (dxy,dxz,dyz,dx2 y2 ,dz2 )5(S = 5/2) for SrFeO2.5.     

The electronic and magnetic properties of （Mn,C）-codoped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductor

The electronic and magnetic properties of (Mn,C)-codoped ZnO are studied in the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof form of generalized gradient approximation of the density functional theory. By investigating five geometrical configurations, we find that Mn doped ZnO exhibits anti-ferromagnetic or spin-glass behaviour, and there are no carriers to mediate the long range ferromagnetic (FM) interaction without acceptor co-doping. We observe that the FM interaction for (Mn,C)-codoped ZnO is due to the hybridization between C 2p and Mn 3d states, which is strong enough to lead to hole-mediated ferromagnetism at room temperature. Meanwhile, we demonstrate that ZnO co-doped with Mn and C has a stable FM ground state and show that the (Mn,C)-codoped ZnO is FM semiconductor with super-high Curie temperature (T C = 5475 K). These results are conducive to the design of dilute magnetic semiconductors with codopants for spintronics applications.     

Structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of boron cluster anions doped with aluminum: BnAl- (2≤n≤9)

The geometrical structures, relative stabilities, electronic and magnetic properties of small B n Al (2 ≤ n ≤ 9) clusters are systematically investigated by using the first-principles density functional theory. The results show that the Al atom prefers to reside either on the outer-side or above the surface, but not in the centre of the clusters in all of the most stable B n Al (2 ≤ n ≤ 9) isomers and the one excess electron is strong enough to modify the geometries of some specific sizes of the neutral clusters. All the results of the analysis for the fragmentation energies, the second-order difference of energies, and the highest occupied-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy gaps show that B 4 Al and B 8 Al clusters each have a higher relative stability. Especially, the B 8 Al cluster has the most enhanced chemical stability. Furthermore, both the local magnetic moments and the total magnetic moments display a pronounced odd-even oscillation with the number of boron atoms, and the magnetic effects arise mainly from the boron atoms except for the B 7 Al and B 9 Al clusters.     

Structural and bonding properties of ScSi_n~-(n=2～6) clusters:photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations

Anion ion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) are used to investigate the electronic and structural properties of ScSi_n^- (n=2sim6) clusters and their neutrals. We find that the structures of ScSi_n^- are similar to those of Si_n+1^-. The most stable isomers of ScSi_n^- cluster anions and their neutrals are similar for n=2, 3 and 5 but different for n=4 and 6, indicating that the charge effect on geometry is size dependent for small scandium-silicon clusters. The low electron binding energy (EBE) tails observed in the spectra of ScSi_4,6^- can be explained by the existence of less stable isomers. A comparison between ScSi_n^- and VSi_n^- clusters shows the effects of metal size and electron configuration on cluster geometries.     

Structural, magnetic, electronic, and elastic properties of face-centered cubic PuHx （x=2, 3） ： GGA （LSDA） ＋ U ＋ SO

We perform first-principles calculations to investigate the structural, magnetic, electronic, and mechanical properties of face-centered cubic (fcc) PuH 2 and fcc PuH 3 using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method (FP-LAPW) with the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and the local spin density approximation (LSDA) taking account of both relativistic and strong correlation effects. The optimized lattice constant a0 = 5.371  for fcc PuH2 and a0 = 5.343  for fcc PuH3 calculated in the GGA + sp (spin polarization) + U (Hubbard parameter) + SO (spin-orbit coupling) scheme are in good agreement with the experimental data. The ground state of fcc PuH3 is found to be slightly ferromagnetic. Our results indicate that fcc PuH2 is a metal while fcc PuH3 is a semiconductor with a band gap about 0.35 eV. We note that the SO and the strong correlation between localized Pu 5f electrons are responsible for the band gap of fcc PuH3 . The bonds for PuH2 have mainly covalent character while there are covalent bonds in addition to apparent ionicity bonds for PuH3 . We also predict the elastic constants of fcc PuH2 and fcc PuH3 , which were not observed in the previous experiments.     

First-principles calculations on the electronic and vibrational properties of β-V2O5

Using a first-principles approach based on density functional theory,this paper studies the electronic and dynamical properties of β-V2O5.A smaller band gap and much wider split-off bands have been observed in comparison with αV2O5.The Ramanand infrared-active modes at the Γ point of the Brillouin zone are evaluated with LO/TO splitting,where the symbol denotes the longitudinal and transverse optical model.The nonresonant Raman spectrum of a βV2O5 powder sample is also computed,providing benchmark theoretical results for the assignment of the experimental spectrum.The computed spectrum agrees with the available experimental data very well.This calculation helps to gain a better understanding of the transition from αto β-V2O5.     

First-principles study of co-adsorption behavior of O2and CO2molecules onδ-Pu(100)surface

First principles calculation is performed to study the co-adsorption behaviors of O₂and CO₂onδ-Pu(100)surface by using a slab model within the framework of density functional theory(DFT).The results demonstrate that the most favorable co-adsorption configurations are T_v-C₄O₇and T_p1-C₂O₈,with adsorption energy of-17.296 e V and-23.131 e V for CO₂-based and O₂-based system,respectively.The C and O atoms mainly interact with the Pu surface atoms.Furthermore,the chemical bonding between C/O and Pu atom is mainly of ionic state,and the reaction mechanism is that C 2 s,C 2 p,O 2s,and O 2p orbitals overlap and hybridize with Pu 6 p,Pu 6 d,and Pu 5 f orbital,resulting in the occurrence of new band structure.The adsorption and dissociation of CO₂molecule are obviously promoted by preferentially occupying adsorbed O atoms,therefore,a potential CO₂protection mechanism for plutonium-based materials is that in CO₂molecule there occurs complete dissociation of CO₂→C+O+O,then the dissociated C atom combines with O atom from O₂dissociation and produces CO,which will inhibit the O₂from further oxidizing Pu surface,and slow down the corrosion rate of plutoniumbased materials.     

Probing structural and electronic properties of divalent metal Mgn+1 and SrMgn (n=2–12) clusters and their anions

Divalent metal clusters have received great attention due to the interesting size-induced nonmetal-to-metal transition and fascinating properties dependent on cluster size,shape,and doping.In this work,the combination of the CALYPSO code and density functional theory(DFT)optimization is employed to explore the structural properties of neutral and anionic Mg_n+1 and SrMgn(n=2-12)clusters.The results exhibit that as the atomic number of Mg increases,Sr atoms are more likely to replace Mg atoms located in the skeleton convex cap.By analyzing the binding energy,second-order energy difference and the charge transfer,it can be found the SrMg9 cluster with tower framework presents outstanding stability in a studied size range.Further,bonding characteristic analysis reveals that the stability of SrMg9 can be improved due to the strong s-p interaction among the atomic orbitals of Sr and Mg atoms.     

Ab initio study of structural,electronic,thermo-elastic and optical properties of Pt3Zr intermetallic compound

Structural,elastic,electronic and optical properties of the Pt3Zr intermetallic compound are investigated using first principles calculations based on the density functional theory(DFT)within the generalized gradient approximation(GGA)and the local density approximation(LDA).The Pt3Zr compound is predicted to be of cubic L12 and hexagonal D024 structures.The calculated equilibrium ground-state properties(lattice parameters a and c,bulk modulus B and its pressure derivative B',formation enthalpy ΔH)of the Pt3Zr compound,for both cubic and hexagonal phases,show good agreement with the experimental results and other theoretical data.Elastic constants(C11,C12,C13,C33,C44,and C55)are calculated.The predicted elastic properties such as Young's modulus E and shear modulus GH,Poisson ratioν,anisotropic ratio A,Kleinman parameter ξ,Cauchy pressure(C12-C44),ratios B/C44 and B/G,and Vickers hardness Hv indicate the stiffness,hardness and ductility of the compound.Thermal characteristic parameters such as Debye temperature θD and melting temperature Tm are computed.Electronic properties such as density of states(DOS)and electronic specific heat γ are also reported.The calculated results reveal that the Fermi level is on the psedogap for the D024 structure and on the antibonding side for the L12 structure.The optical property functions(real partε1(ω)and imaginary part ε2(ω)of dielectric function),optical conductivity σ(ω),refraction index n(ω),reflectivity R(ω),absorption α(ω)and extinction coefficients k(ω)and loss function L(ω)are also investigated for the first time for Pt3Zr in a large gamme of energy from 0 to 70 eV.     

First-principles study of mechanical stability and thermal properties of MNNi₃ （M=Zn,Mg,Al） under pressure

The mechanical stability,elastic,and thermodynamic properties of the anti-perovskite superconductors MNNi 3(M=Zn,Mg,Al) are investigated by means of the first-principles calculations.The calculated structural parameters and elastic properties of MNNi 3 are in good agreement with the experimental and the other theoretical results.From the elastic constants under high pressure,we predict that ZnNNi 3,MgNNi 3,and AlNNi 3 are not stable at the pressures above 61.2 GPa,113.3 GPa,and 122.4 GPa,respectively.By employing the Debye model,the thermodynamic properties,such as the heat capacity and the thermal expansion coefficient,under pressures and at finite temperatures are also obtained successfully.     

Theoretical study of ZnO adsorption and bonding on Al_2O_3(0001) surface

Sapphire (α-Al2O3) and silicon (Si) are widely applied as the substrates of the highquality ZnO thin films prepared by pulse laser deposition (PLD) and molecule beamepitaxy (MBE) technology. The adhesion, diffusivity, and bonding of the particles on thesubstrates play a significant role in the forming and initial growing of nucleation for filmgrowth, and directly influence the quality of the entire thin films[1]. No sufficient studiesand experiments are available on the surface atomic str…     

A density functional theory study on size-dependent structures,stabilities,and electronic properties of bimetallic M_nAg_m(M=Na,Li;n + m≤7) clusters

The equilibrium geometries,relative stabilities,and electronic properties of Mn Agm(M=Na,Li;n + m ≤ 7) as well as pure Ag n,Na n,Li n(n ≤ 7) clusters are systematically investigated by means of the density functional theory.The optimized geometries reveal that for 2 ≤ n ≤ 7,there are significant similarities in geometry among pure Ag n,Na n,and Li n clusters,and the transitions from planar to three-dimensional configurations occur at n = 7,7,and 6,respectively.In contrast,the first three-dimensional(3D) structures are observed at n + m = 5 for both Na n Ag m and Li n Ag m clusters.When n + m ≥ 5,a striking feature is that the trigonal bipyramid becomes the main subunit of Li n Ag m.Furthermore,dramatic odd-even alternative behaviours are obtained in the fragmentation energies,secondorder difference energies,highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy gaps,and chemical hardness for both pure and doped clusters.The analytic results exhibit that clusters with an even electronic configuration(2,4,6) possess the weakest chemical reactivity and more enhanced stability.     

Atomic and electronic properties of tert-butanol on the Si(001)-(2×1) surface

The atomic and electronic properties of the adsorption of tert-butanol [(CH₃)₃OH] molecule on the Si(001)-(2×1) surface have been studied by using the ab-initio density functional theory (DFT) based on pseudopotential approach. We have found that tert-butanol bonded the Si(001) surface by oxygen atom, cleaving a O–H bond and producing a Si-H bond and tert-butoxy surface species. We have also investigated the influence of chemisorption of tert-butanol on the electronic structure of the clean Si(001)-(2×1) surface. Two occupied surface states situated entirely below the bulk valence band maximum have been identified, which means that the clean Si(001)-(2×1)surface was passivated by the chemisorption of tert-butanol. In order to explain the nature of the surface components we have also plotted the total and partial charge densities at the [`(K)]\bar{K} point of the surface Brillouin zone (SBZ).     

Structures and electronic properties of Mo2nNn（n=1-5）:a density functional study

The lowest-energy structures and the electronic properties of Mo2nNn(n=1-5) clusters have been studied by using the density functional theory(DFT) simulating package DMol 3 in the generalized gradient approximation(GGA).The resulting equilibrium geometries show that the lowest-energy structures are dominated by central cores which correspond to the ground states of Mo n(n = 2,4,6,8,10) clusters and nitrogen atoms which surround these cores.The average binding energy,the adiabatic electron affinity(AEA),the vertical electron affinity(VEA),the adiabatic ionization potential(AIP) and the vertical ionization potential(VIP) of Mo2nNn(n=1-5) clusters have been estimated.The HOMO-LUMO gaps reveal that the clusters have strong chemical activities.An analysis of Mulliken charge distribution shows that charge-transfer moves from Mo atoms to N atoms and increases with cluster size.     

Structural,electronic and magnetic properties of Fe(1−x)Cox alloy nanowires encapsulated inside (10,0) boron nitride nanotube

The structural, electronic and magnetic properties of Fe–Co alloy nanowires encapsulated inside zigzag (10,0) boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) are investigated by ab initio calculations. Similar to pristine nanotube, the opposite directional relaxations for the N atoms (move outwards) and B atoms (move inwards) from their initial positions are observed for outside BNNT although with the Fe–Co alloy nanowires inside, but the outward relaxations of the N atoms bonding to the Fe or Co atoms are smaller due to their attractions. The combining processes of Fe–Co/BNNT composites are endothermic when Co concentration x≤0.6 and exothermic x>0.6, and the most stable Fe–Co/BNNT composite is at Co concentration x=0.8. So the semiconducting (10,0) BNNT can be used to shield the Co-rich Fe–Co nanowires. The charges are transferred from Fe–Co nanowires to BNNT and the formed Co–N bonds have covalent bond as well as slight ionic bond characters. Although (10,0) BNNT is nonmagnetic and a decrease in the magnetic moment is found after Fe–Co nanowires are encapsulated inside (10,0) BNNT, the Fe–Co/BNNT composites still have large magnetic moment, reflecting they can be utilized in magnetic storage and ultra high-density magnetic recording devices.     

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.     

High stability of the goldalloy fullerenes:A density functional theory investigation of M₁₂@Au₂₀（M=Na,Al,Ag,Sc,Y,La,Lu,and Au） clusters

Discovering highly stable metal fullerenes such as the celebrated C 60 is interesting in cluster science as they have potential applications as building blocks in new nanostructures.We here investigated the structural and electronic properties of the fullerenes M 12 @Au 20(M=Na,Al,Ag,Sc,Y,La,Lu,and Au),using a first-principles investigation with the density functional theory.It is found that these compound clusters possess a similar cage structure to the icosahedral Au 32 fullerene.La 12 @Au 20 is found to be particularly stable among these clusters.The binding energy of La 12 @Au 20 is 3.43 eV per atom,1.05 eV larger than that in Au 32.The highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(HOMO-LUMO) gap of La 12 @Au 20 is only 0.31 eV,suggesting that it should be relatively chemically reactive.     

Microstructural,phase transformation and magnetic properties of Ni-Mn-Ga alloy fabricated by spark plasma sintering

The microstructural,phase transformation and magnetic properties of Ni-Mn-Ga alloy fabricated using the spark plasma sintering method have been investigated. The results show that both the as-sintered and annealed sintered specimens exhibit typical martensitic transformation behaviours. The martensite of the sintered specimen after annealing exhibits a ferromagnetic nature. Moreover,study of the fracture surface indicates that the transgranular fracture contributes to the higher ductility of sintered Ni-Mn-Ga alloy. In addition,the transformation strain in sintered Ni-Mn-Ga alloy is studied for the first time.