Geometries and electronic structures of Zr_(n)Cu(n=2–12) clusters: A joint machine-learning potential density functional theory investigation

Zr-based amorphous alloys have attracted extensive attention because of their large glassy formation ability, wide supercooled liquid region, high elasticity, and unique mechanical strength induced by their icosahedral local structures.To determine the microstructures of Zr–Cu clusters, the stable and metastable geometry of Zr_(n)Cu(n=2–12) clusters are screened out via the CALYPSO method using machine-learning potentials, and then the electronic structures are investigated using density functional theory. The results show that the Zr_(n)Cu(n ≥ 3) clusters possess three-dimensional geometries, Zr_(n)Cu(n≥9) possess cage-like geometries, and the Zr_(12)Cu cluster has icosahedral geometry. The binding energy per atom gradually gets enlarged with the increase in the size of the clusters, and Zr_(n)Cu(n=5,7,9,12) have relatively better stability than their neighbors. The magnetic moment of most Zr_(n)Cu clusters is just 1μB, and the main components of the highest occupied molecular orbitals(HOMOs) in the Zr_(12)Cu cluster come from the Zr-d state. There are hardly any localized two-center bonds, and there are about 20 σ-type delocalized three-center bonds.

Mechanical Properties and Electronic Structures of M(M=Ti,V,Cr,Mn and Fe)Dopedβ-Si_(3)N_(4) from First-Principle

The structures,mechanical properties and electronic structures of M metals(M=Ti,V,Cr,Mn and Fe)dopedβ-Si_(3)N_(4) were investigated by First-principles calculations within CASTEP.The calculated lattice parameters ofβ-Si_(3)N_(4) were consistent with previous date.The cohesive energy and formation enthalpy show that initialβ-Si_(3)N_(4) has the highest structural stability.The calculated elastic constant and the Voigt-Reuss-Hill approximation indicate that elastic moduli ofβ-Si_(3)N_(4) are slightly reduced by M doping.Based on Poisson’s and Pugh’s ratio,β-Si_(3)N_(4) is a ductile material and the toughness ofβ-Si_(3)N_(4) increases with M doping,and Fe doping exhibited the best toughness.The results of density of states,charge distributions and overlapping populations indicate thatβ-Si_(3)N_(4) has the strong covalent and ionic bond strength between N and Si.

Probing electronic structures of transition metal complexes using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

Electron paramagnetic resonance(EPR)or electron spin resonance(ESR)has been widely employed to characterize transition metal complexes.However,because of the high degree of complexity of transition metal EPR spectra,how to extract the underlying electronicstructure information inevitably poses a major challenge to beginners,in particular for systems with S>1/2.In fact,the physical principles of transition metal EPR have long been well-established and since 1970s a series of dedicated voluminous monographs have been published already.Not surprisingly,they are not appropriate stating points for novices to grasp a panorama of the profound theory prior to scrutinizing in-depth references.The present review aims to fill this gap to provide a perspective of transition metal EPR and unveil some peculiar subtleties thereof on the basis of our recent work.

First principles investigation of binary intermetallics in Mg-Al-Ca-Sn alloy:Stability,electronic structures,elastic properties and thermodynamic properties

The structural stability, electronic structures, elastic properties and thermodynamic properties of the main binary phases Mg_（17）Al_（12）, Al_2Ca, Mg_2 Sn and Mg_2 Ca in Mg-Al-Ca-Sn alloy were determined from the first-principles calculation. The calculated lattice parameters are in good agreement with the experimental and literature values. The calculated heats of formation and cohesive energies show that Al_2Ca has the strongest alloying ability and structural stability. The densities of states（DOS）, Mulliken electron occupation number, metallicity and charge density difference of these compounds are given. The elastic constants of Mg_（17）Al_（12）, Al_2Ca, Mg_2 Sn and Mg_2 Ca phases are calculated, and the bulk moduli, shear moduli, elastic moduli and Poisson ratio are derived. The calculations of thermodynamic properties show that the Gibbs free energies of Al_2Ca and Mg_2 Sn are lower than that of Mg_（17）Al_（12）, which indicates that Al_2Ca and Mg_2 Sn are more stable than Mg_（17）Al_（12） phase. Hence, the heat resistance of Mg-Al-based alloys can be improved by adding Ca and Sn additions.

Mechanical properties and electronic structures of MgCu_2, Mg_2Ca and MgZn_2 Laves phases by first principles calculations

Mechanical properties and electronic structure of MgCu2, Mg2 Ca and MgZn2 phases were investigated by means of first principles calculations from CASTEP program based on density functional theory（DFT）. The calculated lattice parameters are in good agreement with the experimental and literature values. The calculated heat of formation and cohesive energies showed that MgCu2 has the strongest alloying ability and structural stability. Elastic constants of MgCu2, Mg2 Ca and MgZn2 were calculated, and the bulk moduli, shear moduli, elastic moduli and Poisson ratio were derived. The calculated results show that MgCu2, Mg2 Ca and MgZn2 are all ductile phases. Among the three phases, MgCu2 has the strongest stiffness and the plasticity of MgZn2 phase is the best. Melting points of the three phases were predicted using cohesive energy and elastic constants. Density of states（DOS）, Mulliken population, electron occupation number and charge density difference were discussed. Finally, Debye temperature was calculated and discussed.

Electronic structures and optical properties of TiO_2:Improved density-functional-theory investigation

TiO2 has been recently used to realize high-temperature ferromagnetic semiconductors.In fact,it has been widely used for a long time as white pigment and sunscreen because of its whiteness,high refractive index,and excellent optical properties.However,its electronic structures and the related properties have not been satisfactorily understood.Here,we use Tran and Blaha＇s modified Becke-Johnson（TB-mBJ） exchange potential（plus a local density approximation correlation potential） within the density functional theory to investigate electronic structures and optical properties of rutile and anatase TiO2.Our comparative calculations show that the energy gaps obtained from mBJ method agree better with the experimental results than that obtained from local density approximation（LDA） and generalized gradient approximation（GGA）,in contrast with substantially overestimated values from many-body perturbation（GW） calculations.As for optical dielectric functions（both real and imaginary parts）,refractive index,and extinction coefficients as functions of photon energy,our mBJ calculated results are in excellent agreement with the experimental curves.Our further analysis reveals that these excellent improvements are achieved because mBJ potential describes accurately the energy levels of Ti 3d states.These results should be helpful to understand the high temperature ferromagnetism in doped TiO2.This approach can be used as a standard to understand electronic structures and the related properties of such materials as TiO2.

Ab Initio Calculations of the Electronic Structures of Copper Pyrites CuS2, CuSe2 and CuTe2

The electronic structures of CuS2, CuSe2 and CuTe2 with pyrite structures, within the framework the density-functional theory have been investigated. The calculated results explained the recent experimental results which show that there is no clear indication of strong electron correlations in the electronic properties of Cu pyrites, due to the dominant chalcogen p character rather than d characteristic of Cu at the Fermi level.

Structural Stabilities and Electronic Structures of Ga Atomic Chains

The structural stabilities and electronic structures of Ga atomic chains are studied by the first-principles plane wave pseudopotential method based on the density functional theory. The present calculations show that gallium can form planar chains in linear-, zigzag- and ladder-form one-dimensional structures. The most stable one among the studied structures is the zigzag chain with a unit cell rather close to equilateral triangles with four nearest neighbors, and all the other structures are metastable. The relative structural stability, the energy bands and the charge densities are discussed based on the ab initio calculations and the Jahn-Teller effect.

Modulating the Electronic Structures of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes by Filling with Electron Acceptors and the Effect on Their Reactivity with Aryl Diazonium Salts

The electronic structures of single-walled carbon nanotubes （SWCNTs） were modulated by filling with tetracyanoquinodimethane （TCNQ）, a strong electron acceptor. The structures of TCNQ-filled SWCNTs were checked by X-ray diffraction analysis, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Optical absorption spectroscopy demonstrated an enhanced reactivity between aryl diazonium and semiconducting SWCNTs.

Geometries, Electronic Structures, and Electron Detachment Energies of Small Boron Sulfide Anions: A Density Functional Theory Investigation

A density functional theory investigation on the geometries, electronic structures, and electron detachment energies of BS, BS2, B（BS）2 and B（BS）3 has been performed in this work. The linear ground-state structures of BS （C∞v, ^1∑^＋） and BS2^- （O∞h, ^1∑g^＋） prove to be similar to the previously reported BO and BO2 with systematically lower electron detachment energies. Small boron sulfide clusters are found to favor the formation of -B=S groups which function basically as a-radicals and dominate the ground-state structures of the systems. The perfect linear B（BS）2^-（D∞h, ^3∑g） and beautiful equilateral triangle B（BS）3^- （D3h,^2A1”） turn out to be analogous to the well-known C2v BH2 and O3h BH3, respectively. The electron affinities of BS, BS2, B（BS）2 and B（BS）3 are predicted to be 2.3, 3.69, 3.00 and 3.45 eV, respectively. The electron detachment energies calculated for BS^-, BS2^-, B（BS）2^-, and B（BS）3^- may facilitate future photoelectron spectroscopy measurements to characterize the geometrical and electronic structures of these anions.

Topological edge states and electronic structures of a 2D topological insulator: Single-bilayer Bi (111)

Providing the strong spin-orbital interaction, Bismuth is the key element in the family of three-dimensional topological insulators. At the same time, Bismuth itself also has very unusual behavior, existing from the thinnest unit to bulk crystals. Ultrathin Bi （111） bilayers have been theoretically proposed as a two-dimensional topological insulator. The related experimental realization achieved only recently, by growing Bi （111） ultrathin bilayers on topological insulator Bi2Te3 or Bi2Se3 substrates. In this review, we started from the growth mode of Bi （111） bilayers and reviewed our recent progress in the studies of the electronic structures and the one-dimensional topological edge states using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy （STM/STS）, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy （ARPES）, and first principles calculations.

Tunable electronic structures of germanane/antimonene van der Waals heterostructures using an external electric field and normal strain

oscale devices.In the present work,we investigate the electronic structures of germanane/antimonene vdW heterostructure in response to normal strain and an external electric field by using the first-principles calculations based on density functional theory(DFT).The results demonstrate that the germanane/antimonene vdW heterostructure behaves as a metal in a[1,,0.6]V/A range,while it is a direct semiconductor in a[0.5,0.2]V/A range,and it is an indirect semiconduc-tor in a[0.3,1.0]V/A range.Interestingly,the band alignment of germanane/antimonene vdW heterostructure appears astype-II feature both in a[0.5,0.1]range and in a[0.3,1]V/A range,while it shows the type-I character at 0.2 V/A.In ad-dition,we find that the germanane/antimonene vdW heterostructure is an indirect semiconductor both in an in-plane biaxial strain range of[[5%,,3%]and in an in-plane biaxial strain range of[3%,5%],while it exhibits a direct semiconductor character in an in-plane biaxial strain range of[2%,2%].Furthermore,the band alignment of the germanane/antimonene vdW heterostructure changes from type-II to type-I at an in-plane biaxial strain of 3%.The adjustable electronic structure of this germanane/antimonene vdW heterostructure will pave the way for developing the nanoscale devices.

Electronic structures and thermoelectric properties of solid solutions CuGa_(1-x) In_xTe_2 : A first-principles study

The electronic structures of solid solutions CuGal_xlnxTe2 are systematically investigated using the full-potential all-electron linearized augmented plane wave method. The calculated lattice parameters almost linearly increase with the increase of the In composition, which are in good agreement with the available experimental results. The calculated band structures with the modified Becke-Johnson potential show that all solid solutions are direct gap conductors. The band gap decreases linearly with In composition increasing. Based on the electronic structure calculated, we investigate the thermoelectric properties by the semi-classical Boltzmann transport theory. The results suggest that when Ga is replaced by In, the bipolar effect of Seebeck coefficient S becomes very obvious. The Seebeck coefficient even changes its sign from positive to negative for p-type doping at low carrier concentrations. The optimal p-type doping concentrations have been estimated based on the predicted maximum values of the power factor divided by the scattering time.

A Precise Description of the Electronic Structures and Spin-Allowed Transition Properties of PF and Its Cation:All-Electron Configuration-Interaction Investigations Including Relativistic Effect

The electronic structures of PF and PF＋ are calculated with the high-level configuration interaction method. To improve the precision of calculations, the spin-orbit coupling effect, the scalar relativistic effect, and the Davidson correction（q-Q） are also considered. The spectroscopic parameters of bound states are derived by the electronic structures of PF and PF＋, which are in good accordance with the measurements. The transition dipole moments of spin-allowed transitions are evaluated, and the radiative lifetimes of several A S states of PF and PF＋ are obtained.

Electronic Structures and Alloying Behaviors of Ferrite Phases in High Co-Ni Secondary Hardened Martensitic Steels

The electronic structure of ferrite (tempered martensite phase) in high Co-Ni secondary hardened martensitic steel has been investigated. The local density of states (LOOS) of alloying elements in the steel displays the relationship between solid solubility and the shape of the LDOS. The bond order integral (BOI) between atoms in the steel shows that the directional bonding of the p orbital of Si or C leads to the brittleness of the steel. At last, ΣBOI between atoms demonstrate that C, Co, Mn, Cr, Mo, Si strengthen the alloyed steel through solid-solution effects.

Electronic Structures and Spectra of the Bases and Base Pairs of Nucleic Acids

The present paper covers electronic structures and spectra of the bases and the base pairs of nucleic acids calculated by using the INDO/S method. For free bases we give the energy levels of ground states and transition energies of low-lying excited states and discuss the band characters. The results indicate that the calculated spectra are in good agreement with experimental values. On the other hand, our calculations for A-T and G-C pairs are very beneficial to understanding hydrogen bond properties of these pairs.

Effect of Pressure on Electronic Structures and Optical Properties of Rocksalt InN

The electronic structures and optical properties of rocksalt indium nitride （INN） under pressure were studied using the first-principles calculation by considering the exchange and correlation potentials with the generalized gradient approximation. The calculated lattice constant shows good agreement with the experimental value. It is interestingly found that the band gap energy Eg at the F or X point remarkably increases with increasing pressure, but Eg at the L point does not increase obviously. The pressure coefficient of Eg is calculated to be 44 meV/GPa at the F point. Moreover, the optical properties of rocksalt InN were calculated and discussed based on the calculated band structures and electronic density of states.

Energy Stabilities, Magnetic Properties, and Electronic Structures of Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor Zn1-xMnxS（001） Thin Films

We investigate the electronic and magnetic properties of the diluted magnetic semiconductors Zn1-xMnxS（001） thin films with different Mn doping concentrations using the total energy density functional theory. The energy stability and density of states of a single Mn atom and two Mn atoms at various doped configurations and different magnetic coupling state were calculated. Different doping configurations have different degrees of p-d hybridization, and because Mn atoms are located in different crystal-field environment, the 3d projected densities of states peak splitting of different Mn doping configurations are quite different. In the two Mn atoms doped, the calculated ground states of three kinds of stable configurations are anti-ferromagnetic state. We analyzed the 3d density of states diagram of three kinds of energy stability configurations with the two Mn atoms in different magnetic coupling state. When the two Mn atoms are ferromagnetic coupling, due to d-d electron interactions, density of states of anti-bonding state have significant broadening peaks. As the concentration of Mn atoms increases, there is a tendency for Mn atoms to form nearest neighbors and cluster around S. For such these configurations, the antiferromagnetic coupling between Mn atoms is energetically more favorable.

First-principle investigation on electronic structures and elastic properties of Al-doped MoSi_2

The electronic structures and elastic properties of Al-doped MoSi2 were calculated using the plane wave pseudo-potential method based on the density functional theory,in which the generalized-gradient approximation(GGA) was used to describe the exchange-correlation potential.Starting from the elastic constants,bulk modulus,shear modulus,elastic modulus and Poisson ratio of Al-doped MoSi2 were obtained by using the Hill method.The results indicate that conductivity of Al-doped MoSi2 is improved to some extent in comparison with that of pure MoSi2 due to the orbit hybridization of Mo 4d,Al 3p and Si 3p electrons.In addition,calculations show that the elastic modulus and the brittleness of Al-doped MoSi2 are smaller than those of pure MoSi2,which implies that it is feasible to toughen MoSi2 by doping Al.The agreement of the conclusion with experiment shows that the present theory is reasonable.

Stability, electronic structures, and mechanical properties of Fe–Mn–Al system from first-principles calculations

The stability, electronic structures, and mechanical properties of the Fe-Mn-Al system were determined by firstprinciples calculations. The formation enthalpy and cohesive energy of these Fe-Mn-Al alloys are negative and show that the alloys are thermodynamically stable. Fe3Al, with the lowest formation enthalpy, is the most stable compound in the Fe-Mn-Al system. The partial density of states, total density of states, and electron density distribution maps of the Fe-Mn-Al alloys were analyzed. The bonding characteristics of these Fe-Mn-Al alloys are mainly combinations of covalent bonding and metallic bonds. The stress-strain method and Voigt-Reuss-Hill approximation were used to calculate the elastic constants and moduli, respectively. Fe2.5Mn0.5Al has the highest bulk modulus, 234.5 GPa. Fel.sMn1.5Al has the highest shear modulus and Young＇s modulus, with values of 98.8 GPa and 259.2 GPa, respectively. These Fe-Mn-Al alloys display disparate anisotropies due to the calculated different shape of the three-dimensional curved surface of the Young＇s modulus and anisotropic index. Moreover, the anisotropic sound velocities and Debye temperatures of these Fe-Mn-Al alloys were explored.