A new family of NaTMGe (TM = 3d transition metals) half-Heusler compounds: the role of TM modification.

Exploring Heusler based materials for different practical applications has drawn more and more attention. In this work, the structural, electronic, magnetic, and mechanical properties of NaTMGe (TM = all 3d transition metals) half-Heusler compounds have been systematically investigated using first-principles calculations. The TM modification plays a determinant role in the fundamental properties. Except NaNiGe and NaCuGe, the studied materials exhibit good dynamical stability. Calculations reveal the non-magnetic semiconductor of NaScGe with a direct energy gap of 1.21 eV. Prospective spintronic applications of NaVGe and NaCrGe-NaMnGe are also suggested by their magnetic semiconductor and half-metallic behavior, respectively, where their magnetic properties follow the Slater-Pauling rule. Nevertheless, the remaining materials are either magnetic or non-magnetic metallic. For the magnetic systems, the magnetism is induced mainly by the TM constituents with either spin-up (V, Cr, Mn, and Fe) or spin-down (Co) 3d states. Calculated elastic constants indicate that all compounds are mechanically stable. Furthermore, they exhibit significant elastic anisotropy, where NaScGe and NaZnGe are the least and most anisotropic materials, respectively. Also, modifying the TM elements influences the materials' ductile and brittle behaviors. Our work unravels clearly the effects of TM modification on the fundamental properties of NaTMGe compounds. NaTMGe materials show excellent versatility with promising properties for optoelectronic and spintronic applications.

Ferromagnetic half-metallicity of the cubic NaMgO3 perovskite: from bulk to (001) surfaces.

Exploration of new half-metallic materials for spintronic applications has drawn great attention from researchers. In this work, we investigate the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of the NaMgO3 perovskite in the bulk and (001) surface conformations. The results show the half-metallic nature of bulk NaMgO3 generated by insulator spin-up channels with a large band gap of 6.08 eV and metallic spin-down channels. A total magnetic moment of 3 (µB) is obtained, which is produced mainly by O atoms with a local magnetic moment of 0.94 (µB). Once the bulk is cleaved along the (001) direction, atomic relaxation takes place to reach an equilibrium, where all constituent atoms exhibit an inward movement. Interestingly, the half-metallicity is retained from the bulk to the (001) surface conformation. The effects of slab termination and thickness on the surface energy, stability, band edges, spin-up energy gaps, and magnetic anisotropy will be also analyzed in detail. The results presented herein introduce the NaMgO3 perovskite as a promising half-metallic material to generate spin current in spintronic devices.

A study of the effects of the polarity of the solvents acetone and cyclohexane on the luminescent properties of tryptophan.

The luminescent properties of tryptophan in solvents less polar than water, such as acetone, and non-polar ones, such as cyclohexane, are experimentally studied and compared with theoretical calculations using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) methods. Since tryptophan may present different configurations and charge distributions, the most stable conformer is analyzed for both solvents, including its neutral and zwitterionic forms. To perform the simulation two clusters are proposed with the Zpt conformer in acetone: [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] , and four clusters with the Nag+ conformer in cyclohexane: (Trp)1-(C6H12), (Trp)2-(C6H12), (Trp)3-(C6H12) and (Trp)4-(C6H12), in order to conveniently emulate the concentration in each solvent by reducing the distance between adjacent tryptophan molecules as the concentration increases, since there is no control over the volume parameter. In each case, the UV-vis absorption is computed and compared with the experimental excitation spectra; the results show a good agreement. This calculation allows a more detailed analysis of the experimental results based on the properties of the molecular orbitals involved in electronic transitions. In the present work, a strong effect of the solvent acetone on tryptophan is observed; for this solvent, a charge transfer from the solute to solvent happens. This behavior does not occur with water (polar solvent) or cyclohexane (non-polar solvent). Finally, experimental spectroscopic data of Trp in cyclohexane are explained through the hydrogen bonds between amino acid molecules present in the fluorescent states. In this case, the theoretical and experimental results are compared and also show good agreement.

Encapsulation of Pollutant Gaseous Molecules by Adsorption on Boron Nitride Nanotubes: A Quantum Chemistry Study.

Based on density functional theory (DFT) and the semiempirical method PM7, we analyze the encapsulation process of polluting gases and/or their adsorption on different sites, viz., on the inner wall, the outer wall, and on the boron nitride (BN) nanotube ends, with chirality (7,7) armchair. DFT calculations are performed using the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) functional and the M06-2X method through the 6-31G(d) divided valence orbitals as an atomic basis. Various geometrical configurations were optimized by minimizing the total energy for all analyzed systems, including the calculation of vibrational frequencies, which were assumed to be of a nonmagnetic nature, and where the total charge was kept neutral. Results are interpreted in terms of adsorption energy and electronic force, as well as on the analysis of quantum molecular descriptors for all systems considered. The study of six molecules, namely, CCl4, CS2, CO2, CH4, C4H10, and C6H12, in gas phase is addressed. Our results show that C4H10, C6H12, and CCl4 are chemisorbed on the inner surfaces (encapsulation) and on the nanotube ends. In contrast, the other molecules CS2, CO2, and CH4 show weak interaction with the nanotube surface, leading thereby to physisorption. Our findings thus suggest that this kind of polluting gases can be transported within nanotubes by encapsulation.

Nitrogen doping and oxygen vacancy effects on the fundamental properties of BeO monolayer: a DFT study.

In practice, modifying the fundamental properties of low-dimensional materials should be realized before incorporating them into nanoscale devices. In this paper, we systematically investigate the nitrogen (N) doping and oxygen vacancy (OV) effects on the electronic and magnetic properties of the beryllium oxide (BeO) monolayer using first-principles calculations. Pristine BeO single layer is a non-magnetic insulator with an indirectK-Γ gap of 5.300 eV. N doping induces a magnetic semiconductor nature, where the spin-up and spin-down band gaps depend on the dopant concentration and N-N separation. Creating one OV leads to the energy gap reduction of 31.06% with no spin-polarization, which is due to the abundant 2p electrons of the Be atoms nearest the OV site. The further increase to two OVs and varying the OV-OV distance affect the band gap values, however the spin independence is retained. The magnetic semiconducting behavior is also obtained by the simultaneous N doping and OV presence. Calculations reveal significant magnetization of the BeO@1N, BeO@2N-n, BeO@NOV-nsystems, which is produced mainly by the spin-up N-2p state. Except for the BeO@NOV-1 and BeO@NOV-2, whose magnetic properties are created by the spin-up 2p state of the Be atoms closest to the OV site. The variation of the N-N and N-OV distances keeps the ferromagnetic ordering in the BeO@2N and BeO@NOV layers. Results presented herein may propose efficient methods to artificially modify the physical properties of BeO monolayer, leading to the formation of novel two-dimensional (2D) materials for optoelectronic and spintronic applications.

Tuning MoSO monolayer properties for optoelectronic and spintronic applications: effect of external strain, vacancies and doping.

Since the successful synthesis of the MoSSe monolayer, two-dimensional (2D) Janus materials have attracted huge attention from researchers. In this work, the MoSO monolayer with tunable electronic and magnetic properties is comprehensively investigated using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). The pristine MoSO single layer is an indirect gap semiconductor with energy gap of 1.02(1.64) eV as predicted by the PBE(HSE06) functional. This gap feature can be efficiently modified by applying external strain presenting a decrease in its value upon switching the strain from compressive to tensile. In addition, the effects of vacancies and doping at Mo, S, and O sites on the electronic structure and magnetic properties are examined. Results reveal that Mo vacancies, and Al and Ga doping yield magnetic semiconductor 2D materials, where both spin states are semiconductors with significant spin-polarization at the vicinity of the Fermi level. In contrast, single S and O vacancies induce a considerable gap reduction of 52.89% and 58.78%, respectively. Doping the MoSO single layer with F and Cl at both S and O sites will form half-metallic 2D materials, whose band structures are generated by a metallic spin-up state and direct gap semiconductor spin-down state. Consequently, MoV, MoAl, MoGa, SF, SCl, OF, and OCl are magnetic systems, and the magnetism is produced mainly by the Mo transition metal that exhibits either ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic coupling. Our work may suggest the MoSO Janus monolayer as a prospective candidate for optoelectronic applications, as well as proposing an efficient approach to functionalize it to be employed in optoelectronic and spintronic devices.

New equiatomic quaternary Heusler compounds without transition metals KCaBX (X = S and Se): Robust half-metallicity and optical properties.

It is known that high spin-polarization and magnetism can be found even in materials with neither transition metals nor rare earths. In this paper, we report results of the structural design, electronic structure, magnetic and optical properties of new equiatomic quaternary Heusler (EQH) KCaBX (X = S and Se) compounds. Electron exchangecorrelation interactions are described by the Wu-Cohen (WC) functional and Tran-Blaha modified Becke-Johnson exchange (mBJ) potential. Ferromagnetic ordering is stable for the cubic structure of space group F43 m in which the K, Ca, B and X atoms are located at 4c, 4d, 4a and 4b Wyckoff positions, respectively. Quaternaries at hand exhibit a perfect spin-polarization around the Fermi level, which is a result of the half-metallicity with metallic spin-up channel and semiconductor spin-dn channel. The ferromagnetic half-metallic and spin-flip band gaps are 2.648(2.470) and 0.673(0.526), respectively, for KCaBS(KCaBSe). Both studied compounds have a total magnetic moment of 2.000 µB. Additionally, the strain effect on the electronic and magnetic properties is also examined. Finally, the optical properties of the KCaBX alloys are investigated for energies up to 25 eV. Optical spectra show the metallic behavior at extremely low energies and semiconductor nature at higher energies. Interestingly, KCaBS and KCaBSe exhibit prospective absorption properties with a quite large absorption coefficient in the ultraviolet regime.

Computational prediction of the spin-polarized semiconductor equiatomic quaternary Heusler compound MnVZrP as a spin-filter.

In this work, a new equiatomic quaternary Heusler (EQH) compound, MnVZrP, is predicted using first principles calculations. Simulations show the good stability of the material, suggesting experimental realization. Results show that MnVZrP is a magnetic semiconductor material, exhibiting semiconductor characteristics in both spin channels, however, with strong spin-polarization. Electronic band gaps of 0.97 and 0.47 eV are obtained in the spin-up and spin-dn states, respectively. Mainly the d-d coupling regulates the electronic band structure around the Fermi level. Strain effects on the electronic properties of the proposed compound are also investigated. Simulations give the total magnetic moment of 3 µ B satisfying the Slate-Pauling rule. The main magnetic contributions are given by the Mn and V constituents. The results presented here suggest the promising applicability of EQH MnVZrP as a spin-filter. Additionally, the elastic property calculations indicate the mechanical stability and elastic anisotropy. The work may be useful in the magnetic Heusler alloys field, introducing a new member to the small group of magnetic semiconductor EQH compounds for spin-filter applications.

Structural, electronic and optical properties of pristine and functionalized MgO monolayers: a first principles study.

In this paper, we present a detailed investigation of the structural, electronic, and optical properties of pristine, nitrogenated, and fluorinated MgO monolayers using ab initio calculations. The two dimensional (2D) material stability is confirmed by the phonon dispersion curves and binding energies. Full functionalization causes notable changes in the monolayer structure and slightly reduces the chemical stability. The simulations predict that the MgO single layer is an indirect semiconductor with an energy gap of 3.481 (4.693) eV as determined by the GGA-PBE (HSE06) functional. The electronic structure of the MgO monolayer exhibits high sensitivity to chemical functionalization. Specifically, nitrogenation induces metallization of the MgO monolayer, while an indirect-direct band gap transition and band gap reduction of 81.34 (59.96)% are achieved by means of fluorination. Consequently, the functionalized single layers display strong optical absorption in the infrared and visible regimes. The results suggest that full nitrogenation and fluorination may be a quite effective approach to enhance the optoelectronic properties of the MgO monolayer for application in nano-devices.

Comparing two high correlation models to test the mechanical stability of americium-II.

In this work two high density functional theory (DFT) correlation methodologies, the so called DFT+U (or GGA+U) implementation and the exact exchange of correlated electrons (EECE), hybrid DFT functional (or one case of hybrid DFT), are tested to determine the mechanical properties of americium-II. For each case, the numeric value of their principal parameter is chosen ([Formula: see text] for the first case and [Formula: see text] for the second one) once the crystalline structure meets all the mechanical stability conditions. The results show that there is a range of values of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in which both methodologies generate a stable (experimentally correct) non-magnetic ground state, reaching approximately the same numeric value of the set of elastic constants of the cubic structure. However, only for the case of the hybrid functional results it is possible to show how the non-magnetic configuration is energetically favored, as compared to the ferromagnetic configuration. This happens around [Formula: see text], a value in agreement with a previous analysis made under the same methodology for the metal case Am-I. Following a detailed and deep analysis, it is possible to find a close interrelation between the electronic properties of the metal: its distribution of states around the Fermi level, the energy difference between the two possible spin configurations, and the mechanical response of the crystal. Also, it is possible to conclude that the effect of alpha parameter on the [Formula: see text] electrons can be used as a parameter to simulate the presence of an external pressure over the structure. For the comparison, the calculations were performed within the LAPW approximation in DFT as implemented in the WIEN2k code, with a finite deformation method.

Effects of electron doping on the stability of the metal hydride NaH.

Alkali and alkali-earth metal hydrides have high volumetric and gravimetric hydrogen densities, but due to their high thermodynamic stability, they possess high dehydrogenation temperatures which may be reduced by transforming these compounds into less stable states/configurations. We present a systematic computational study of the electron doping effects on the stability of the alkali metal hydride NaH substituted with Mg, using the self-consistent version of the virtual crystal approximation to model the alloy Na1-x Mg x H. The phonon dispersions were studied paying special attention to the crystal stability and the correlations with the electronic structure taking into account the zero point energy contribution. We found that substitution of Na by Mg in the hydride invokes a reduction of the frequencies, leading to dynamical instabilities for Mg content of 25%. The microscopic origin of these instabilities could be related to the formation of ellipsoidal Fermi surfaces centered at the L point due to the metallization of the hydride by the Mg substitution. Applying the quasiharmonic approximation, thermodynamic properties like heat capacities, vibrational entropies and vibrational free energies as a function of temperature at zero pressure are obtained. These properties determine an upper temperature for the thermodynamic stability of the hydride, which decreases from 600 K for NaH to 300 K at 20% Mg concentration. This significant reduction of the stability range indicates that dehydrogenation could be favoured by electron doping of NaH.

Stability and physicochemical principles for icosahedral Ti12X (X = Li to Xe) clusters: a DFT study.

Results about stability, electronic structure and characteristic electronic properties are reported for cluster structures based on icosahedra structure with a composition of Ti12X (X = Li to Xe) within the generalized gradient approximation of the density functional theory. It is demonstrated that several elements allow an improvement on the stability of Ti13 by a doping process where the central atoms is substituted. C, Si, P, Co, Ge, Ru and Te lead to the largest gain in energy, while the HOMO-LUMO maximum gap distinguishes to just C, Si, P and Te as the most probable to be found in experimental samples. The analysis included physicochemical study of the most stable clusters to predict chemical affinity and new properties. Results reported here are in agreement with partial studies of Ti12X but because of the considered elements, a new scope is open of possible application mainly in the fields as sensors, catalysis and medicine, where the chemical selectivity is an important parameter.

Confined helium atom low-lying S states analyzed through correlated Hylleraas wave functions and the Kohn-Sham model.

Calculation including the electron correlation effects is reported for the ground 1 1S and lowest triplet 1 3S state energies of the confined helium atom placed at the center of an impenetrable spherical box. While the adopted wave-functional treatment involves optimization of three nonlinear parameters and 10, 20, and 40 linear coefficients contained in wave functions expressed in a generalized Hylleraas basis set that explicitly incorporates the interelectronic distance r12, via a Slater-type exponent and through polynomial terms entering the expansion, the Kohn-Sham model employed here uses the Perdew and Wang exchange-correlation functional in its spin-polarized version within the local-density approximation (LDA) with and without the self-interaction correction. All these calculations predict a systematic increase in the singlet-triplet energy splitting toward the high confinement regime, i.e., when the box radius is reduced. By using the variational results as benchmark, it is found that the LDA underestimates the singlet-triplet energy splitting, whereas the self-interaction correction overestimates such a quantity.