Vibrational and dielectric properties of magnesium aluminate spinel: A first-principles study

The vibrational and dielectric properties of MgAl₂O₄ are investigated within the framework of density functional perturbation theory. Results of phonon frequencies at the Brillouin zone center, static dielectric constant, and electronic dielectric constant are reported. In comparison with experimental results, we find that the generalized gradient approximation potential results in more accurate phonon frequencies than local density approximation potential does. Dielectric, refractive index, extinction coefficient and infrared reflectance spectra of MgAl₂O₄ are given, and the figures suggest that MgAl₂O₄ presents good transmission properties in the spectrum range above 1000 cm−1 and below 300 cm−1.     

MgO声子散射曲线和热力学特性的第一原理研究

利用从头算场论结合局域密度近似和Troullier-Martins赝势,计算了MgO的声子散射曲线和热力学特性.计算结果和所有的有效实验值进行了比较,发现理论计算结果和实验结果吻合的很好.     

Structural transitions of NaAlH4 under high pressure by first-principles calculations

First-principles calculations have been performed on NaAlH₄ using the generalized gradient approximation pseudopotential method. The predicted β-NaAlH₄ (α-LiAlH₄-type) structure is energetically more favorable than α-NaAlH₄ for pressures over 15.9 GPa, which is apparently correlated with the experimental transition pressure 14 GPa. This transition is identified as first-order in nature with volume contractions of 1.8%. There is no pressure-induced softening behavior from our calculated phonon dispersion curves near the phase transition pressure. Based on the Mulliken population analysis, the β-NaAlH₄ structure is expected to be the most promising candidate for hydrogen storage.     

Vibrational properties and Raman spectra of different edge graphene nanoribbons,studied by first-principles calculations

The vibrational properties and Raman spectra of graphene nanoribbons with six different edges have been studied by using the first-principles calculations. It is found that edge reconstruction leads to the emergence of localized vibrational modes and new topological defect modes, making the different edges identified by polarized Raman spectra. The radial breathing-like modes are found to be independent of the edge structures, while the G-band-related modes are affected by different edge structures. Our results suggest that the polarized Raman spectrum could be a powerful experimental tool for distinguishing the GNRs with different edge structures due to their different vibrational properties.     

Properties of RhP predicted by first-principles

Using density functional theory combined with a global crystal structure search with the particle swarm optimization method, we propose three stable three-dimensional (3D) metallic RhP structures, namely, the Cmcm (RhP-I), P6/mmm (RhP-II), and P6₃mc (RhP-III) phases. All these structures are found to be dynamically stable through vibrational normal mode calculations, indicating that they could be successfully synthesized in experiments. We show that the RhP-I phase has a relatively high thermodynamic stability and high mechanical strength in comparison with the others. The RhP-II and RhP-III phases have porous structures which could accommodate small atoms or molecules. However their thermodynamics are poor, especially the RhP-III phase. The RhP-II structure is stable at 500 K, but the RhP-III fails to survive even at the freezing point of water. Importantly, all these materials have one dimensional conducting channels corresponding to ultrahigh Fermi velocities. Moreover, the porous hexagonal RhP-II and III structures exhibit excellent ability to trap lithium, hydrogen, oxygen, and boron atoms. The RhP-II structure could be especially useful for directly dissociating the hydrogen molecule into two atoms without an energy barrier. In the present study, we identify three new metallic structures to the family of RhP structures, and anticipate their potential for technological applications.     

Design and energetic characterization of ZnO clusters from first-principles calculations

The energetics, stable configurations and electronic structures of the n(ZnO) clusters for n ranging from 9 to 64 have been studied by using first-principles calculations. The formation energy of the bubble-like (b-)clusters decreases with the increase of cluster size n, and exhibits an approximately linear relationship to 1/n for n>16. The b-clusters are energetically more favorable than the wurzite-derived (w-)clusters for n<26, but become less stable than the w-clusters for n?26. The HOMO-LUMO gap of the w-clusters is narrower than that of the b-clusters.     

Lattice structures and electronic properties of MO/MoSe2 interface from first-principles calculations

Using first-principles plane-wave calculations within density functional theory, we theoretically studied the atomic structure, bonding energy and electronic properties of the perfect Mo (110)/MoSe₂ (100) interface with a lattice mismatch less than 4.2%. Compared with the perfect structure, the interface is somewhat relaxed, and its atomic positions and bond lengths change slightly. The calculated interface bonding energy is about −1.2 J/m², indicating that this interface is very stable. The MoSe₂ layer on the interface has some interface states near the Fermi level, the interface states are mainly caused by Mo 4d orbitals, while the Se atom almost have no contribution. On the interface, Mo-5s and Se-4p orbitals hybridize at about −6.5 to −5.0 eV, and Mo-4d and Se-4p orbitals hybridize at about −5.0 to −1.0 eV. These hybridizations greatly improve the bonding ability of Mo and Se atom in the interface. By Bader charge analysis, we find electron redistribution near the interface which promotes the bonding of the Mo and MoSe₂ layer.     

First-principles identification of two- and four-membered-ring hybrid structures of silica nanorings

We performed first-principles calculations to study the energetics, IR spectra, and electronic structures of silica nanorings (NR) consisting of two- and four-membered ring (2-4MR) units. A comparison study of other silica clusters, such as nanochains (NC) and nanorings formed by two-membered rings (2MRs) was made. The results show that for small-size (SiO₂)_n clusters with n<24, the nanochains composed of 2-4MRs (2-4MR-NCs) are more stable than other kinds of NRs and NCs. When n>24 the 2-4MR-NRs structures become energetically favorable. 2-4MR-NRs have the narrowest HOMO–LUMO gaps which increase with increasing cluster size, distinctive IR spectra characterized by several peaks at the 1000–1150 cm⁻¹ region.     

Theoretical investigations of the effect of vacancies on the geometric and electronic structures of zinc sulfide

The effects of S-vacancy and Zn-vacancy on the geometric and electronic structures of zinc blende ZnS are investigated by the first-principles calculation of the plane wave ultrasoft pseudopotential method based on the density functional theory. The results demonstrate that both S-vacancy and Zn-vacancy decrease the cell volume and induce slight deformation of the perfect ZnS. Furthermore, this change of geometric structure caused by Zn-vacancy is more obvious than the one due to the S-vacancy. The formation energy of S-vacancy is higher than that of Zn-vacancy, indicating that Zn-vacancy is easier to form than S-vacancy in ZnS crystal. Electronic structure analysis shows that Zn-vacancy increases the band-gap of ZnS from 2.03 eV to 2.15 eV, while the S-vacancy has almost no effect on the band-gap of ZnS. Bond population analysis shows that Zn-vacancy increases covalence character of the Zn–S bonds around Zn-vacancy, while S-vacancy shows a relatively weak effect on the covalence character of Zn–S bonds.     

Atomic structures and electronic properties of interfaces between aluminum and carbides/nitrides: A first-principles study

We perform a first-principles investigation of the atomic structures and electronic properties of interfaces between aluminum and four kinds of ceramics, TiC, TiN, VC and VN, under three orientations (001), (110) and (111). We find that the stable interfaces are those with bonding between Al atom and metalloid C (or N) atom, which is attributed to the overlap of p states of Al and d states of metalloid atoms at Femi level forming covalent components. Among the interfaces with the three orientations, the (111) interfaces are found to possess the largest adhesion energy in that the stacking of atoms follows intrinsic atomic distribution and this interfacial bonding is relatively strong. It is also found that the interfaces between Al and metal carbides (TiC and VC) are more stable than those between Al and metal nitrides (TiN and VN).     

硼氮掺杂对立方PbTiO3电子结构和光学性质影响的第一性原理研究

钛酸铅(PTO)因具有优异的铁电、压电特性及光学性质而备受关注.但B、N掺杂对顺电相PTO电子结构和光学性质的影响还不明确,因此,利用第一性原理对立方PTO开展准确的性质预测尤为必要.本文采用广义梯度近似的PBE泛函(GGA-PBE)和杂化泛函(HSE06)研究了B、N替位掺杂(B_O、N_O)和O空位(V_O)对PTO的基态性质、电子结构和光学性质的影响.研究表明：贫氧态的PTO比富氧态更容易形成杂质缺陷,且N_O缺陷最难形成.当B_O、N_O缺陷存在时,PTO的价带顶和导带底向低能量方向移动,在两者之间出现杂质能级,使其导电性能提高且含B_O的PTO为间接带隙半导体,而含N_O的PTO为直接带隙半导体. N_O体系在波长大约为230 nm处有最大吸收峰,该峰主要源于O 2p和Ti 3d之间的电子跃迁,且N_O体系对可见光的吸收能力最强,有望提高PTO的光催化能力.     

Stokes shifts of small ZnSe clusters from first-principles calculations

The large Stokes shifts of II-VI semiconductor quantum dots favour their application in bioimaging. Using a cluster model, we revealed that ZnSe clusters have large Stokes shifts at small cluster sizes by means of density functional theory calculations. Both the optical absorption and emission wavelengths of the clusters are size-dependent. While some trends were noted for the absorption spectra, the emission wavelength varies in a complicated way, leading to large fluctuations in their Stokes shifts with cluster size. These fluctuations, as well as their variations with solvent, were rationalised in terms of changes in their geometrical and electronic structures from size to size, and from ground- to excited-state.     

Synthesis and characterization of multifunctional silica core-shell nanocomposites with magnetic and fluorescent functionalities

Multifunctional core-shell nanocomposites with a magnetic core and a silica shell doped with lanthanide chelate have been prepared by a simple method. First, citric acid-modified magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized by a chemical coprecipitation method. Then the magnetite nanoparticles were coated with silica shells doped with terbium (Tb³⁺) complex by a modified Stöber method based on hydrolyzing and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and a silane precursor. These multifunctional nanocomposites are potentially useful in a variety of biological areas such as bio-imaging, bio-labeling and bioassays because they can be simultaneously manipulated with an external magnetic field and exhibit unique phosphorescence properties.     

Investigation of porous silica nanostructures in diatoms isolated from Kurichi and Sulur lakes of Coimbatore,India using field emission scanning electron microscopy

Diatoms are unicellular algae that possess cell wall made of silica. These diatoms play a pivotal role in synthesis of variety of silica nanostructures and have adorning morphology in nature. In the present study, we have used field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) to investigate their morphological features like pore size, shape, and porous pattern in various diatoms isolated from Kurichi and Sulur fresh water lakes, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Diatoms were identified as Nitzschia sp., Cyclotella meneghiniana, Coscinodiscus sp. and Cyclotella atomus based on their morphological features. The arrangement of porous nanostructures in these diatoms have been characterized. The change in the nanostructures present in the diatoms have been correlated to the contamination of water bodies.     

Electronic structures and mechanical properties of uranium monocarbide from first-principles and calculations

The electronic structure, elastic constants, Poisson's ratio, and phonon dispersion curves of UC have been systematically investigated from the first-principles calculations by the projector-augmented-wave (PAW) method. In order to describe precisely the strong on-site Coulomb repulsion among the localized U 5f electrons, we adopt the local density approximation (LDA)+U and generalized gradient approximation (GGA)+U formalisms for the exchange correlation term. We systematically study how the electronic properties and elastic constants of UC are affected by the different choice of U as well as the exchange-correlation potential. We show that by choosing an appropriate Hubbard U parameter within the GGA+U approach, most of our calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental data. Therefore, the results obtained by the GGA+U with effective Hubbard parameter U chosen around 3 eV for UC are considered to be reasonable.     

Theoretical study of band gap in CuAlO2: Pressure dependence and self-interaction correction

By using first-principles calculations, we studied the energy gaps of delafossite CuAlO₂: (1) pressure dependence and (2) self-interaction correction (SIC). Our simulation shows that CuAlO₂ transforms from a delafossite structure to a leaning delafossite structure at 60 GPa. The energy gap of CuAlO₂ increases through the structural transition due to the enhanced covalency of Cu 3d and O 2p states. We implemented a self-interaction correction (SIC) into first-principles calculation code to go beyond local density approximation and applied it to CuAlO₂. The energy gap calculated within the SIC is close to experimental data while one calculated without the SIC is about 1 eV smaller than the experimental data.     

The mechanical,thermodynamic and electronic properties of Al3Nb with DO22 structure: A first-principles study

The lattice constants, elastic properties, electronic structure and thermodynamic properties of Al₃Nb with DO₂₂ structure have been investigated by the first-principles calculation. The calculated lattice constants were consistent with the experimental values, and the structural stability was also studied from the energetic point of view. The single-crystal elastic constants (C_ij) as well as polycrystalline elastic parameters (bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young's modulus E, Poisson's ratio υ and anisotropy value A) were calculated, and brittleness of Al₃Nb was discussed in detail. Besides, the electronic structure of tetragonal Al₃Nb was studied, which indicates a mixture of metallic bond and covalent bond in Al₃Nb and reveals the underlying mechanism of the stability and elastic properties of Al₃Nb. Finally, the thermodynamic properties of Al₃Nb were calculated and the physical properties such as heat capacity and Debye temperature were predicted within the quasi-harmonic approximation.     

Electronic structural, elastic properties and thermodynamics of Mg17Al12, Mg2Si and Al2Y phases from first-principles calculations

Electronic structures, elastic properties and thermal stabilities of Mg₁₇Al₁₂, Mg₂Si and Al₂Y have been determined from first-principle calculations. The calculated heats of formation and cohesive energies show that Al₂Y has the strongest alloying ability and structural stability. The brittle behavior and structural stability mechanism is also explained through the electronic structures of these intermetallic compounds. The elastic constants are calculated, the bulk moduli, shear moduli, Young's moduli and Poisson ratio value are derived, the brittleness and plasticity of these phases are discussed. Gibbs free energy, Debye temperature and heat capacity are calculated and discussed.     

Electron energy-loss spectroscopy in the low-loss region as a characterization tool of electrode materials

Energy losses below 100 eV are by far less exploited than higher losses in electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Two new examples are given to illustrate the characterization possibilities offered by spectra in this energy range. Typical materials that could be used as electrodes in electrochemical cells were chosen as application cases. Through the use of calculations based on density functional theory, we first demonstrate that the first peak present at the lithium K edge in Li _x TiP₄ can give access to the precise localisation of inserted Li atoms in the f.c.c. structure. In particular, different tetrahedral sites could be differentiated according to their distance to the Ti site. Secondly, calculations of valence electron energy-loss spectra of perovskite materials indicate that a characteristic peak for regular perovskite (Pm m space group) exists in the 10–15 eV range. The high sensitivity of this peak to the distortion of the octahedron arrangements is also demonstrated. Paper presented at the 11th EuroConference on the Science and Technology of Ionics, Batz-sur-Mer, Sept. 9–15, 2007.     

Theoretical prediction of the structural,elastic, electronic and thermodynamic properties of V3M (M = Si,Ge and Sn) compounds

Density functional theory (DFT), is used in our calculations to study the V₃M (M = Si, Ge and Sn) compounds, we are found that V₃Sn compound is mechanically unstable because of a negative C₄₄ = −19.41 GPa. For each of these compounds considered, the lowest energy structure is found to have the lowest N(E_f) value. Also there is a strong interaction between V and V, the interaction between M (M = Si, Ge, Sn) and V (M and M) is negative, not including Si [Sn]. In phonon density of states PDOS, the element contributions varies from lighter (high frequency) to heaviest (low frequency).