Structure,electronic and magnetic properties of hexagonal boron nitride sheets doped by 5d transition metal atoms: First-principles calculations and molecular orbital analysis

A first-principles calculation based on density functional theory is carried out to reveal the geometry, electronic structures and magnetic properties of hexagonal boron nitride sheets (h-BNSs) doped by 5d transitional mental atoms (Lu, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au and Hg) at boron-site (B_5d) and nitrogen-site (N_5d). Results of pure h-BNS, h-BNS with B vacancy (V_B) and N vacancy (V_N) are also given for comparison. It is shown that all the h-BNSs doped with 5d atoms possess a C_3v local symmetry except for N_Lu and N_Hg which have a clear deviation. For the same 5d dopant, the binding energy of B_5d is larger than that of N_5d, which indicates the substitution of a 5d atom for B is preferred. The total densities of states are presented, where impurity energy levels exist. Besides, the total magnetic moments (TMMs) change regularly with the increment of the 5d atomic number. Theoretical analyses by molecular orbital under C_3v symmetry explain the impurity energy levels and TMMs.