First principle study of structural,electronic, mechanical,dynamic and optical properties of half-Heusler compound LiScSi under pressure

In this study, several physical properties of LiScSi compound with MgAgAs phase were investigated via the plane-wave pseudo-potential technique in density functional theory (DFT). The calculated total energy-atomic volume was fitted to the Murnaghan equation of state in order to obtain bulk modulus, their first derivatives and the lattice constant. These results were compared to findings of recent literature. Afterwards, the partial density of states (PDOS) and charge density differences were used to evaluate the electronic band structure of LiScSi under pressure. By analysing elastic properties (shear modulus, Poisson ratio, Young’s modulus, etc.) of the material, it has been shown that MgAgAs phase of the compound is mechanically stable under pressure. Moreover, the dynamical stability of this compound is calculated by means of the phonon dispersion curves and one-phonon DOS. Finally, the optical properties and related parameters (refractive index, dielectric function, and loss function) of LiScSi were examined with subject to different pressures.     

The stabilities, electronic structures and elastic properties of Rb-As systems

The structural, electronic and elastic properties of Rb–As systems (RbAs in NaP, LiAs and AuCu structures, RbAs2 in the MgCu2 structure, Rb3 As in Na3As, Cu3 P and Li3Bi structures, and Rb5 As4 in the A5B4 structure) are investigated with the generalized gradient approximation in the frame of density functional theory. The lattice parameters, cohesive energies, formation energies, bulk moduli and the first derivatives of the bulk moduli (to fit Murnaghan’s equation of state) of the considered structures are calculated and reasonable agreement is obtained. In addition, the phase transition pressures are also predicted. The electronic band structures, the partial densities of states corresponding to the band structures and the charge density distributions are presented and analysed. The second-order elastic constants based on the stress-strain method and other related quantities such as Young’s modulus, the shear modulus, Poisson’s ratio, sound velocities, the Debye temperature and shear anisotropy factors are also estimated.     

高压下RhB的相变、弹性性质、电子结构及硬度的第一性原理计算

采用密度泛函理论中的赝势平面波方法系统地研究了高压下RhB的结构相变、弹性性质、电子结构和硬度.分析表明,RhB在25.3 GPa时从anti-NiAs结构相变到FeB结构,这两种结构的弹性常数、体弹模量、剪切模量、杨氏模量和弹性各向异性因子的外压力效应明显.电子态密度的计算结果显示,这两种结构是金属性的,且费米能级附近的峰随着压强的增大向两侧移动,赝能隙变宽,轨道杂化增强,共价性增强,非局域化更加明显.此外,硬度计算结果显示,anti-NiAs-RhB的金属性比较弱,有着较高的硬度,属于硬质材料.     

Characterisation of the high-pressure structural transition and elastic properties in boron arsenic

This paper carries out the First principles calculation of the crystal structures (zinc blende (B3) and rocksalt (B1)) and phase transition of boron arsenic (BAs) based on the density-functional theory. Using the relation between enthalpy and pressure, it finds that the transition phase from the B3 structural to the B1 structural occurs at the pressure of 113.42GPa. Then the elastic constants C₁₁, C₁₂, C₄₄, bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young modulus, anisotropy factor, Kleinman parameter and Poisson ratio are discussed in detail for two polymorphs of BAs. The results of the structural parameters and elastic properties in B3 structure are in good agreement with the available theoretical and experimental values.     

A first-principle study of the structural, elastic, lattice dynamical and thermodynamic properties of PrX (X=P, As)

The structural, phase transition, elastic, lattice dynamic and thermodynamic properties of rare-earth compounds PrP and PrAs with NaCl (B1), CsCl (B2), ZB (B3), WC (B_h) and CuAu (L1₀) structures are investigated using the first principles calculations within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). For the total-energy calculation, we have used the projected augmented plane-wave (PAW) implementation of the Vienna Ab-initio Simulation Package (VASP). Specifically, some basic physical parameters, e.g. lattice constants, bulk modulus, elastic constants, shear modulus, Young's modulus and Poison's ratio, are predicted. The obtained equilibrium structure parameters are in excellent agreement with the experimental and theoretical data. The temperature and pressure variations of the volume, bulk modulus, thermal expansion coefficient, heat capacity and Debye temperature are calculated in wide pressure and temperature ranges. The phonon dispersion curves and corresponding one-phonon density of states (DOS) for both compounds are also computed in the NaCl (B1) structure.     

First-principles investigations on structural,elastic, electronic properties and Debye temperature of orthorhombic Ni3Ta under pressure

The structural, elastic, electronic properties and Debye temperature of Ni₃Ta under different pressures are investigated using the first-principles method based on density functional theory. Our calculated equilibrium lattice parameters at 0 GPa well agree with the experimental and previous theoretical results. The calculated negative formation enthalpies and elastic constants both indicate that Ni₃Ta is stable under different pressures. The bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young’s modulus E and Poisson’s ratio ν are calculated by the Voigt–Reuss–Hill method. The bigger ratio of B/G indicates Ni₃Ta is ductile and the pressure can improve the ductility of Ni₃Ta. In addition, the results of density of states and the charge density difference show that the stability of Ni₃Ta is improved by the increasing pressure. The Debye temperature Θ _D calculated from elastic modulus increases along with the pressure.     

Dynamical stability and phase transition of ZrC under pressure

A comprehensive first principles study of structural, elastic, electronic, and phonon properties of zirconium carbide (ZrC) is reported within the density functional theory scheme. The aim is to primarily focus on the vibrational properties of this transition metal carbide to understand the mechanism of phase transition. The ground state properties such as lattice constant, elastic constants, bulk modulus, shear modulus, electronic band structure, and phonon dispersion curves (PDC) of ZrC in rock-salt (RS) and high-pressure CsCl structures are determined. The pressure-dependent PDCs are also reported in NaCl phase. The phonon modes become softer and finally attain imaginary frequency with the increase of pressure. The lattice degree of freedom is used to explain the phase transition. Static calculations predict the RS to CsCl phase transition to occur at 308?GPa at 0?K. Dynamical calculations lower this pressure by about 40?GPa. The phonon density of states, electron–phonon interaction coefficient, and Eliashberg's function are also presented. The calculated electron–phonon coupling constant λ and superconducting transition temperature agree reasonably well with the available experimental data.     

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.     

Structural,Elastic, and Electronic Properties of a New Phase of Carbon

Based on density function theory with the ultrasoft pseudopotential scheme in the frame of the local density approximation and the generalized gradient approximation, the structural, elastic, and electronic properties of carbon with P222₁ phase have been systematically studied in this paper. The calculated results show that the P222₁ phase of carbon is mechanically stable and dynamically stable at ambient pressure. The anisotropy studies of Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, shear anisotropic factor, the percentage of elastic anisotropy for bulk modulus, the percentage of elastic anisotropy for shear modulus and the universal anisotropic index show that P222₁ phase of carbon exhibits anisotropy. In addition, P222₁ phase is an indirect semiconductor with bandgap of 3.423 eV. But, the band gap of P222₁ phase for carbon increase with increasing pressure.     

First-principles lattice dynamical study of ScAs and ScSb at zero and high pressure

A first-principles pseudopotential method is used to investigate the structural and elastic properties of ScAs and ScSb in their ambient B1(NaCl) and in high pressure B2 (CsCl) phases and phonon structures at zero and close to phase transition pressure. The calculated lattice constants, static bulk modulus, first order pressure derivative of the bulk modulus and the elastic constants are reported in B1 and B2 structures and compared with available experimental and other theoretical results. The phonon properties of these two compounds are compared among themselves which reveal that these compounds are predominantly metallic, due to degeneracy of optical frequencies at the zone centre. At high pressure, near the B1 to B2 transition, the LA mode at X-point softens leading to structural instability.     

Prediction of Pressure-Induced Structural Transition and Mechanical Properties of Mg Y from First-Principles Calculations

Using the particle swarm optimization algorithm on crystal structure prediction,we first predict that Mg Y alloy undergoes a first-order phase transition from Cs Cl phase to P4/NMM phase at about 55 GPa with a small volume collapse of 2.63%.The dynamical stability of P4/NMM phase at 55 GPa is evaluated by the phonon spectrum calculation and the electronic structure is discussed.The elastic constants are calculated,after which the bulk moduli,shear moduli,Young's modui,and Debye temperature are derived.The brittleness/ductile behavior,and anisotropy of two phases under pressure are discussed in details.Our results show that external pressure can change the brittle behavior to ductile at10 GPa for Cs Cl phase and improve the ductility of Mg Y alloy.As pressure increases,the elastic anisotropy in shear of Cs Cl phase decreases,while that of P4/NMM phase remains nearly constant.The elastic anisotropic constructions of the directional dependences of reciprocals of bulk modulus and Young's modulus are also calculated and discussed.     

Thermodynamics and elastic properties of Ta from first-principles calculations

<正>Within the framework of the quasiharmonic approximation,the thermodynamics and elastic properties of Ta, including phonon density of states(DOS),equation of state,linear thermal expansion coefficient,entropy,enthalpy, heat capacity,elastic constants,bulk modulus,shear modulus,Young’s modulus,microhardness,and sound velocity, are studied using the first-principles projector-augmented wave method.The vibrational contribution to Helmholtz free energy is evaluated from the first-principles phonon DOS and the Debye model.The thermal electronic contribution to Helmholtz free energy is estimated from the integration over the electronic DOS.By comparing the experimental results with the calculation results from the first-principles and the Debye model,it is found that the thermodynamic properties of Ta are depicted well by the first-principles.The elastic properties of Ta from the first-principles are consistent with the available experimental data.     

Predictions of mechanical and thermodynamic properties of Mg17Al12 and Mg2Sn from first-principles calculations

Using first-principles calculations, we predict mechanical and thermodynamic properties of both Mg₁₇Al₁₂ and Mg₂Sn precipitates in Mg–Al–Sn alloys. The elastic properties including the polycrystalline bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Lame’s coefficients and Poisson’s ratio of both Mg₁₇Al₁₂ and Mg₂Sn phases are determined with the Voigt–Reuss–Hill approximation. Our results of equilibrium lattice constants agree closely with previous experimental and other theoretical results. The ductility and brittleness of the two phases are characterized with the estimation from Cauchy pressure and the value of B/G. Mechanical anisotropy is characterized by the anisotropic factors and direction-dependent Young’s modulus. The higher Debye temperature of Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase means that it has a higher thermal conductivity and strength of chemical bonding relative to Mg₂Sn. The anisotropic sound velocities also indicate the elastic anisotropies of both phase structures. Additionally, density of states and Mulliken population analysis are performed to reveal the bonding nature of both phases. The calculations associated with phonon properties indicate the dynamical stability of both phase structures. The temperature dependences of thermodynamic properties of the two phases are predicted via the quasi-harmonic approximation.     

First-principles studies of structural,mechanical, electronic,optical properties and pressure-induced phase transition of CuInO2 polymorph

Using the first-principles density-functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA), we have investigated the structural, elastic, mechanical, electronic, and optical properties and phase transition of CuInO₂. Structural parameters including lattice constants and internal parameter, pressure effects and phase transition pressure were calculated. We have obtained the elastic coefficients, bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio. We find that two phases of CuInO₂ are indirect band gap semiconductors (F–Γ and H–Γ for 3R and 2H, respectively). Optical properties, including the dielectric function, refractive index, extinction coefficient, reflectivity, absorption coefficient, loss function and optical conductivity have been obtained for radiations of up to 30 eV.     

Pressure dependences of elastic and lattice dynamic properties of AlAs from ab initio calculations

Ab initio calculations, based on norm-conserving nonlocal pseudopotentials and density functional theory (DFT), are performed to investigate the structural, elastic, dielectric, and vibrational properties of aluminum arsenide AlAs with zinc-blende (B3) structure and nickel arsenide (B8₁) structure under hydrostatic pressure. Firstly, the path for the phase transition from B3 to B8₁ is confirmed by analyzing the energies of different structures, which is in good agreement with previous theoretical results. Secondly, we find that the elastic constants, bulk modulus, static dielectric constants, and the optical phonon frequencies are varying in a nearly linear manner under hydrostatic pressure. What is more, the softening mode of transversal acoustic mode at X point supports the phase transition in AlAs.     

Structural parameters, electronic structures, elastic stiffness and thermal properties of M2PC (M=V, Nb, Ta)

Using pseudo-potential plane-wave method based on the density functional theory in conjunction with the generalized gradient approximation, structural parameters, electronic structures, elastic stiffness and thermal properties of M₂PC, with M=V, Nb, Ta, were studied. The optimized zero pressure geometrical parameters are in good agreement with the available results. Pressure effect, up to 20 GPa, on the lattice parameters was investigated. Electronic properties are studied throughout the calculation of densities of states and band structures. The elastic constants and their pressure dependence were predicted using the static finite strain technique. We performed numerical estimations of the bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio and average sound velocity for ideal polycrystalline M₂PC aggregates in framework of the Voigt-Reuss-Hill approximation. We estimated the Debye temperature and the theoretical minimum thermal conductivity of M₂PC.     

High pressure behavior of alkaline earth tellurides

We have predicted high pressure structural behavior and elastic properties of alkaline earth tellurides (AETe; AE = Ca, Sr, Ba) by using two body interionic potential approach with modified ionic charge (Z _m e). This method has been found quite satisfactory in case of the rare earth compounds. The equation of state curve, structural phase transition pressure from NaCl (B1) to CsCl (B2) phase and associated volume collapse at transition pressure of alkaline earth tellurides (AETe) obtained from this approach, so have been compared with experimentally measured data reveal good agreement. We have also investigated bulk modulus, second and third order elastic constants and pressure derivatives of second order elastic constants at ambient pressure which shows predominantly ionic nature of these compounds. First time, we have calculated the Poisson ratio, Young and Shear modulus of these compounds.      

First-Principles Calculations of Structural,Elastic and ElectronicProperties of Tetragonal HfO2under Pressure

Structural, elastic and electronic properties of tetragonal HfO₂ at applied hydrostatic pressure up to 50 GPa have been investigated using the plane-wave ultrasoft pseudopotential technique based on the first-principles density-functional theory (DFT). The calculated ground-state properties are in good agreement with previous theoretical and experimental data. Six independent elastic constants of tetragonal HfO₂ have been calculated at zero pressure and high pressure. From the obtained elastic constants, the bulk, shear and Young's modulus, Poisson's coefficients, acoustic velocity and Debye temperature have been calculated at the applied pressure. Band structure shows that tetragonal HfO₂ is an indirect band gap. The variation of the gap versus pressure is well fitted to a quadratic function.     

立方KCaF3电子、弹性和光学性质的第一性原理研究

基于密度泛函理论和赝势平面波近似法计算研究了立方钙钛矿KCaF3的弹性、电子和光学性质。基态时,KCaF3平衡晶格常数、体积弹性模量和其他计实验和算值一致。根据Hooke定律和Christoffel方程,研究了KCaF3弹性常数Cij、体积弹性模量B、各向同性波速和弹性各向性异性因子随压力的变化关系。从电子能带理论出发,计算得到了KCaF3电子能带、态密度和Milliken电荷布居数,并对其电子性质进行了详细分析。结果显示：立方钙钛矿KCaF3为直接带隙绝缘体材料,其禁带宽度为6.22eV;电荷主要从Ca和K原子向F原子转移;立方钙钛矿KCaF3属于纯粹的共价型化合物。同时,本文还计算研究了KCaF3的光学介电函数、吸收系数、复折射率、能量损失谱和反射系数等光学性质。     

立方KCaF_3电子、弹性和光学性质的第一性原理研究

基于密度泛函理论和赝势平面波近似法计算研究了立方钙钛矿KCaF_3的弹性、电子和光学性质.基态时,KCaF_3平衡晶格常数、体积弹性模量和实验及其他计算值一致.根据Hooke定律和Christoffel方程,研究了KCaF_3弹性常数Cij、体积弹性模量B、各向同性波速和弹性各向性异性因子随压力的变化关系.从电子能带理论出发,计算得到了KCaF_3电子能带、态密度和Milliken电荷布居数,并对其电子性质进行了详细分析.结果显示:立方钙钛矿KCaF_3为直接带隙绝缘体材料,其禁带宽度为6.22 e V;电荷主要从Ca和K原子向F原子转移;立方钙钛矿KCaF_3属于纯粹的共价型化合物.同时,本文还计算研究了KCaF_3的光学介电函数、吸收系数、复折射率、能量损失谱和反射系数等光学性质.