First-principles investigations on structural,elastic, thermodynamic and electronic properties of Ni3X (X = Al,Ga and Ge) under pressure

The structural, elastic, thermodynamic and electronic properties of L1₂-ordered intermetallic compounds Ni₃X (X = Al, Ga and Ge) under pressure range from 0 to 50 GPa with a step of 10 GPa have been investigated using first-principles method based on density functional theory (DFT). The calculated structural parameters of Ni₃X at zero pressure and zero temperature are consistent with the experimental data. The results of bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young's modulus E, Poisson's ratio v, anisotropy index A^U and Debye temperature Θ_D increase with the increase of external pressure. In addition, the Debye temperature of these compounds gradually reduce as the order of Ni₃Al > Ni₃Ga > Ni₃Ge. The ratio of shear modulus to bulk modulus G/B shows that the three binary compounds are ductile materials, and the ductility of Ni₃Al and Ni₃Ga can be improved with pressure going up, while Ni₃Ge is opposite. Finally, the pressure-dependent behavior of density of states, Mulliken charge and bond length are analyzed to explore the physical origin of the pressure effect on the structural, elastic and thermodynamic properties of Ni₃X.     

First-principle study of magnetic,elastic and thermal properties of full Heusler Co2MnSi

In this work, first principles calculation of structural, electronic magnetic and elastic properties of the half-metallic ferromagnetic Heusler compound Co₂MnSi are presented. We have applied the full-potential linearized augmented plane waves plus local orbitals (FP-L/APW+lo) method based on the density functional theory (DFT). For the exchange and correlation potential generalized-gradient approximation (GGA) is used. The computed equilibrium lattice parameters agree well with the available theoretical and experimental data. Elastic constants and their pressure dependence are also calculated. The calculated total magnetization of 5 μ_B is in excellent agreement with recent experiments. We also presented the thermal effects using the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the lattice vibrations are taken into account. Temperature and pressure effects on the structural parameters, heat capacities, entropy, thermal expansion coefficient, and Debye temperatures are determined from the non-equilibrium Gibbs functions.     

First-principles study on half-metallic properties of the CoMnZ (Z = S,Se, Te) half-Heusler compounds

The first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory have been employed to explore the electronic structure and magnetic properties of the CoMnZ (Z = S, Se, Te) half-Heusler compound. CoMnTe is predicted to be half-metallic ferromagnet with an energy gap of 1.04 eV in the minority spin and a completely spin polarization at the Fermi level. CoMnS and CoMnSe compounds are nearly half-metallic with spin polarization of 98.9 and 97.9%, respectively. All compounds have a total magnetic moment of 4 μ_B/f.u., which agrees with the Slater–Pauling rule. CoMnTe compound keeps half-metallicity within a wide range of lattice constants between 5.65 and 6.05 Å. Under tetragonal distortions, high spin polarization at the Fermi level is maintained for the CoMnTe compound.     

Half-metallic ferromagnetism in the RbX (X = Sb,Te) compounds with the rock salt and zinc-blende structures: A first-principles calculation

The first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been employed to investigate the electronic structures, magnetic properties and half-metallicity of the RbX (X = Sb, Te) compounds with the rocksalt and zinc-blende structures. The RbSb and RbTe compounds with both structures are half-metallic ferromagnet although these compounds do not include transition metal atoms. The compounds with the rock salt structure are found to be more stable energetically than the compounds with the zinc-blende structure. Magnetic moments, independent of crystal structure, are evaluated to be 2 μ_B/f.u. for RbSb and 1 μ_B/f.u. for RbTe. The half-metallic band gaps are 2.94 and 3.61 eV for the RbSb and RbTe compounds with the rock salt structure, respectively, while the RbSb and RbTe compounds with the zinc-blende structure have the half-metallic gaps of 3.00 and 3.25 eV, respectively. The lattice distortion does not affect the half-metallic properties of the RbX (X = Sb, Te) compounds with both structures.     

Electronic and magnetic structures and bonding properties of Ce2T2X (T = nd element; X = Mg,Cd, Pb or Sn) intermetallics from first principles

The electronic structure and chemical bonding properties of four families of Ce₂T₂X (T = nd element; X = Mg, Cd, Pb or Sn) intermetallics crystallizing in an ordered U₃Si₂ type structure are shown from density functional theory (DFT) calculations to present electronic and magnetic structure properties arising from their peculiar valence electron count (VEC). Trends of the magnetism are discussed in terms of the characteristics of the Ce(4f) states as well as the energetic position of the transition metal element d states.     

Density functional study of the mechanical and phonon properties of Al12X (X = Mo,Tc, Ru,W, Re,and Os) compounds

By means of first principles calculations, we have studied the structural, elastic, and phonon properties of the Al₁₂X (X = Mo, Tc, Ru, W, Re, and Os) compounds in cubic structure. The elastic constants of these compounds are calculated, then bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus, Possion's ratio, Debye temperature, hardness, and anisotropy value of polycrystalline aggregates are derived and relevant mechanical properties are compared with the available theoretical ones. Furthermore, the phonon dispersion curves, mode Grüneisen parameters, and thermo-dynamical properties such as free energy, entropy and heat capacity are computed and the obtained results are discussed in detail.     

Structural,half-metallic and elastic properties of the half-Heusler compounds NiMnM (M = Sb,As and Si) and IrMnAs from first-principles calculations

The structural, half-metallic and elastic properties of the half-Heusler compounds NiMnM (M = Sb, As and Si) and IrMnAs were investigated using first-principles calculations within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) based on density function theory (DFT). The most stable lattice configurations about site occupancy are (Ni)_4a(Mn)_4c(Sb)_4d, (Ni)_4a(Mn)_4c(As)_4d, (Ni)_4a(Mn)_4c(Si)_4d and (Ir)_4a(Mn)_4c(As)_4d, respectively, and the exchange of elements in Wyckoff position 4c and 4d results in an identical (symmetry-related) phase. The half-Heusler compounds show half-metallic ferromagnetism with a half-metallic gap of 0.168 eV, 0.298 eV, 0.302 eV and 0.109 eV, respectively, and the total magnetic moments (M_tot) are 4.00 μ_B, 4.00 μ_B, 3.00 μ_B and 3.00 μ_B per formula unit, respectively, which agree well with the Slater–Pauling rule based on the relationship of valence electrons. The compound (Ir)_4a(Mn)_4c(As)_4d with half-metallic ferromagnetic character was reported for the first time. The individual elastic constants, shear modulus, Young's moduli, ratio B/G and Poisson's ratio were also calculated. The compounds are ductile based on the ratio B/G. The Debye temperatures derived from the average sound velocity (ν_m) are 327 K, 332 K, 434 K and 255 K, respectively. The predicted Debye temperature for NiMnSb agrees well with the available experimental value, and the Debye temperatures for the rest three compounds were reported for the first time.     

Ternary RPt4B (R=La, Ce, Pr, Nd) compounds; structural and physical characterisation

The compounds RPt₄B, with (R=La, Ce, Pr, Nd), were synthesized and their crystal structure was studied either by single crystal X-ray diffraction and/or by conventional and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. All four compounds of this family are isostructural and belong to the CeCo₄B structure type. AC-susceptibility and magnetization studies show that: there is no magnetic ordering of the La compound down to 1.7 K; the Ce compound presents an antiferromagnetic-type-transition at 2.4 K; and both Pr and Nd compounds present a ferromagnetic-type transition at 4.2 and 4.9 K, respectively. Electrical resistivity studies show metallic behaviour for all compounds, the temperature dependence for the La compound being described by the Bloch Gruneisen relation. Thermopower studies as a function of temperature show that the thermopower is positive and small for these compounds, which is consistent with hole dominated metallic behaviour.     

Anisotropy in elasticity and thermal conductivity of monazite-type REPO4 (RE = La,Ce, Nd,Sm, Eu and Gd) from first-principles calculations

Starting from theoretical calculations based on LSDA, the authors compute the lattice parameters, cohesive energies and formation enthalpies of monazite-type REPO₄ compounds. The calculated values are satisfactory compared with the experimental results from the elastic constants obtained, the mechanical moduli are evaluated using the strain–stress method. The predicted bulk, Young’s and shear moduli are in good agreement with the experiments. It is shown that the mechanical moduli are low (<200 GPa) and also increase from LaPO₄ to GdPO₄. The three-dimensional contours and their planar projections of Young’s modulus are plotted to illustrate the anisotropy in elasticity. It is found that Young’s moduli of all monazite-type REPO₄ show strong dependence on direction. The linear thermal expansion coefficients are calculated using the empirical method, and the values are in the range 9 × 10^?6–12 × 10^?6 K^?1. Using Clarke’s and Slack’s models, the thermal conductivities of REPO₄ compounds obtained are close to the experimental profiles. The observed anomalies of experimental thermal properties of monazite-type GdPO₄ are also explained based on the observed monazite to zircon-type transformation in experiment. Solving the Christoffel equation for monoclinic symmetry, the anisotropy in thermal conductivity is investigated. The results indicate that the total lattice thermal conductivities of monazite-type REPO₄ show weak dependence on direction. Meanwhile, their sound velocities exhibit strong anisotropic properties.     

Site preference and alloying effect on elastic properties of ternary B2 RuAl-based alloys

The structural and elastic properties of ternary B2 RuAl-based alloys are studied using first-principles calculations. Single-crystal elastic constants, atomic volumes, transfer energies, and electronic densities for RuAl-TM are computed, considering all possible transition-metal solute species TM. Calculated elastic constants are used to compute values of some commonly considered elasticity parameters, such as bulk modulus, shear modulus, Yong's modulus, Pugh ratio, and Cauchy pressure. The present results suggest that the bulk modulus of RuAl-TM increase approximately linearly with increasing electron density. Calculated elastic properties are in favorable accord with available experimental and theoretical data.     

A first principles study of structural and mechanical properties of Ti2AlZr intermetallic

The present work describes the structural and mechanical behaviour of three phases namely B2, D0₁₉ and O phases of Ti₂AlZr intermetallic using first principles density functional theory (DFT) within generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The equilibrium lattice constant values of B2, D0₁₉ and O phases are in good agreement with the experimental and theoretical data, respectively. Formation energy of O phase is minimum followed by D0₁₉ and B2. Bonding characteristics of these phases have been explained based on electronic density of states and charge density. All the three phases satisfy the Born stability criteria in terms of elastic constants and are associated with ductile behaviour based on G/B ratios. The B2 phase exhibits very high anisotropy in comparison to those of the D0₁₉ and O.     

First-principles study of mechanical and electronic properties of TiB compound under pressure

The effects of applied pressures on the structural, mechanical and electronic properties of TiB compound were studied using the first-principles method based on the density functional theory. The results showed the pressures have the significant effects on the mechanical properties and electronic properties of TiB phase. The calculated structural and mechanical parameters (i.e., bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio and Debye temperature) were in good agreement both with the previously reported experimental and theoretical results at zero pressure. Additionally, all these parameters presented the linearly increasing dependences on the external pressure. The B/G ratios signified the TiB crystals should exhibit the brittle deformation behavior at 0–100 GPa. The universal anisotropic index indicated the TiB compound was elastically isotropic under zero pressure, and may become anisotropic at higher pressures. Further, the density of states and Mulliken charge of TiB were discussed. The bonding nature in TiB was a combination of metallic, ionic and covalent at zero pressure. The metallic component was derived from free-electron transfer from the Ti4s to Ti3d and Ti3p states. The ionic component was originated from the charge transfer from Ti to B atoms. The covalent component had two sources. One was from the B2s–B2p hybridization in the B atomic chains. The other one was from B2p–Ti3d bonding hybridization. Under higher pressures, the ionic and covalent bonds were both improved with the rising of pressures. This should be the fundamental reason for the enhanced mechanical properties in the TiB compound. At the same time, the metallic bond kept leveled to ensure the electric conductivity.     

Electronic structure,phase stability and elastic properties of ruthenium based four intermetallic compounds: Ab-initio study

The structural, electronic and elastic properties of four RuX (X = Sc, Ti, V and Zr) intermetallic compounds have been investigated by using density functional theory within full potential linearized augmented plane wave method and using generalized gradient approximations in the scheme of Perdew, Burke and Ernzrhof (PBE), Wu and Cohen (WC) and Perdew et al. (PBEsol) for the exchange correlation potential. The relative phase stability in terms of volume-energy and enthalpy-pressure for these compounds is presented for the first time in three different (B₁, B₂ and B₃) structures. The total energy is computed as a function of volume and fitted to Birch equation of states to find the ground state properties such as lattice constant (a₀), bulk modulus (B) and its pressure derivative (B′). It is found that the lattice parameters in B₂-phase agree well with the existing experimental and previous theoretical results. The second order elastic constants (SOECs) are also predicted for the above compounds. All the four compounds show ductile behavior. The ductility of these compounds has been analyzed using Pugh's rule. From the plots of electronic density of states (DOS), it can be concluded that these intermetallic compounds are metallic in nature.     

Synergistic effect of co-alloying elements on site preferences and elastic properties of Ni3Al: A first-principles study

The site preferences of co-alloying elements (Mo–Ta, Mo–Re, Mo–Cr) in Ni₃Al are studied using first-principles calculations, and the effects of these alloying elements on the elastic properties of Ni₃Al are evaluated by elastic property calculations. The results show that the Mo–Ta, Mo–Re and Mo–Cr atom pairs all prefer Al–Al sites and the spatial neighbor relation of substitution sites almost has no influence on the site preference results. Furthermore, the Young's modulus of Ni₃Al increases much higher by substituting Al–Al sites with co-alloying atoms, among which Mo–Re has the best strengthening effect. The enhanced chemical bondings between alloying atoms and their neighbor host atoms are considered to be the main strengthening mechanism of the alloying elements in Ni₃Al.     

First-principle calculations of the electronic,elastic and thermoelectric properties of Ag doped CuGaTe2

To improve the performance of a thermoelectric material CuGaTe₂, element Ag is doped to replace element Ga and we investigate the electronic structure, phase stability, elastic and thermoelectric properties of CuGa_1−xAg_xTe₂ (x = 0, 0.25 and 0.5) via first-principles method. The phase stability of CuGa_1−xAg_xTe₂ is discussed by analyzing the formation energy, cohesive energy and elastic constants. The calculated sound velocities decrease with the increase of Ag content, which is favorable for reducing the lattice thermal conductivity. The analysis of band structures shows that the replacement of Ga by Ag makes CuGaTe₂ undergo a direct-indirect semiconductor transition. The Ag doping induces steep density of states in valence band edge, which is beneficial for increasing the carrier concentration and improving thermoelectric performance of CuGaTe₂.     

Structural,elastic, electronic,and thermodynamic properties of intermetallic Zr2Cu: A first-principles study

Three competing structures (C11_b, C16 and E9₃) of intermetallic Zr₂Cu have been systematically investigated by first-principles calculations and quasi-harmonic Debye model. Both the calculated equation of states (EOS) and pressure–enthalpy results indicate a structural phase transition from C11_b to C16 phase at around 11–14 GPa. The calculated equilibrium crystal parameters and elastic constants are in consistence with available experimental or theoretical data. All three phases are mechanically stable according to the elastic stability criteria, and ductile according to Pugh's ratio, while the ambient-stable C11_b phase shows a higher elastic anisotropy. Furthermore, differences in the nature of bonding between three competing structures are uncovered by electron density topological analysis. C11_b Zr₂Cu possesses an intriguing pseudo BaFe₂As₂-type structure with the charge density maxima at Zr tetrahedral interstices serving as Fe-position pseudoatoms; C16 Zr₂Cu contains Zr-pair configurations bonded through bifurcated Zr–Zr bonding paths; while the E9₃ phase has only conventional straight bonding. Additionally, through quasi-harmonic Debye model, the pressure and temperature dependences of the bulk modulus, specific heat, Debye temperature, Grüneisen parameter and thermal expansion coefficient for three phases are obtained and discussed.     

Theoretical prediction of the electronic structure,bonding behavior and elastic moduli of scandium intermetallics

We report the structural, electronic, bonding, elastic and mechanical properties of nine scandium intermetallic compounds, ScTM (TM = Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Zn, Cd and Hg), using ab initio density functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation for exchange and correlation potentials. The calculated structural parameters, such as the lattice constant (a₀), bulk modulus (B) and its pressure derivative (B₀) and elastic constants, are calculated using the CsCl-(B₂ phase) structure. The electronic and bonding properties of the ScX compounds are quantitatively analyzed using band structures, DOS, Fermi surfaces and contour plots. The mechanical properties and ductile behaviors of these compounds are also predicted based on the calculated elastic constants.     

First-principles study of electronic structure and magnetic properties of orthorhombic CrGa2Sb2 and MnGa2Sb2

By the first-principles calculations, we present the results of electronic structure and magnetic properties on bulk CrGa₂Sb₂ and MnGa₂Sb₂ in an orthorhombic structure with the linear chains of transition-metal Cr and Mn atoms, using four different exchange correlation potentials: the local density approximation (LDA), the generalized gradient approximation (GGA), GGA + U, and the Tran-Blaha modified Becke-Johnson functional (mBJ). The electronic structure calculations from four exchange correlation potentials show that CrGa₂Sb₂ is a pseudogap (negative gap) material with very small density of states (DOS) at the Fermi level, while MnGa₂Sb₂ has notably higher DOS at the Fermi level compared to CrGa₂Sb₂, exhibiting stronger metallic conductivity, although the mBJ potential obtains lower DOS at the Fermi level than LDA and GGA for both CrGa₂Sb₂ and MnGa₂Sb₂. The GGA + U method with a small value (1 eV) of the on-site Coulomb interaction parameter U obtains lower DOS at the Fermi level compared to the large value of U. In agreement with the measurement data, the total energy calculations reveal that both CrGa₂Sb₂ and MnGa₂Sb₂ have a stable ferromagnetic ground state with lower energies relative to antiferromagnetic state. Based on the Heisenberg model, the magnetic exchange constants between the nearest-neighbor Cr–Cr and Mn–Mn along transition-metal linear chains are calculated to be 48.6 meV and 27.5 meV for CrGa₂Sb₂ and MnGa₂Sb₂, respectively. By the mean-field approximation method, we calculated the Curie temperature of two compounds to be above room-temperature.     

Phase stability and electronic structures of YbAl3−xMx (M = Mg, Cu, Zn, In and Sn) studied by first-principles calculations

YbAl₃ is a potential thermoelectric (TE) material to be used in TE power generator utilizing waste heat sources. This work systematically investigated the alloying behavior of M in YbAl_3−xM_x (M = Mg, Cu, Zn, In and Sn) and their electronic structures by first-principles calculations. The solubility of alloying elements M and phase stability of YbAl_3−xM_x were studied by analyzing the elastic constants, formation and cohesive energies. The results show that Mg, In and Sn are the effective alloying elements for preparing YbAl_3−xM_x solid solutions, which are helpful for improving TE properties of YbAl₃.