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.

Structures, stabilities, and electronic properties of F-doped Sin （n=1～12） clusters：Density functional theory investigation

The geometries, stabilities, and electronic properties of FSin （n=1～12） clusters are systematically investigated by using first-principles calculations based on the hybrid density-functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311G level. The geometries are found to undergo a structural change from two-dimensional to three-dimensional structure when the cluster size n equals 3. On the basis of the obtained lowest-energy geometries, the size dependencies of cluster properties, such as averaged binding energy, fragmentation energy, second-order energy difference, HOMO–LUMO （highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital） gap and chemical hardness, are discussed. In addition, natural population analysis indicates that the F atom in the most stable FSin cluster is recorded as being negative and the charges always transfer from Si atoms to the F atom in the FSin clusters.

Investigation of the structural, electronic and mechanical properties of CaO–SiO_(2) compound particles in steel based on density functional theory

CaO–SiO_(2)compounds compromise one of the most common series of oxide particles in liquid steels, which could significantly affect the service performance of the steels as crack initiation sites. However, the structural, electronic, and mechanical properties of the compounds in CaO–SiO_(2)system are still not fully clarified due to the difficulties in the experiments. In this study, a thorough investigation of these properties of CaO–SiO_(2)compound particles in steels was conducted based on first-principles density functional theory. Corresponding phases were determined by thermodynamic calculation, including gamma dicalcium silicate(γ-C2S), alpha-prime(L) dicalcium silicate(αL′-C2S), alpha-prime(H) dicalcium silicate(αH′-C2S), alpha dicalcium silicate(α-C2S), rankinite(C3S2), hatrurite(C3S), wollastonite(CS), and pseudowollastonite(Ps-CS). The results showed that the calculated crystal structures of the eight phases agree well with the experimental results. All the eight phases are stable according to the calculated formation energies, and γ-C2S is the most stable. O atom contributes the most to the reactivity of these phases. The Young’s modulus of the eight phases is in the range of 100.63–132.04 GPa. Poisson’s ratio is in the range of0.249–0.281. This study provided further understanding concerning the CaO–SiO_(2)compound particles in steels and fulfilled the corresponding property database, paving the way for inclusion engineering and design in terms of fracture-resistant steels.

Electronic structure and flotability of gold-bearing pyrite:A density functional theory study

Various incorporation of Au in pyrite and its effects on the geometrical structure,electronic structure and flotability of pyrite were theoretically investigated and fully discussed by performing density functional theory(DFT).The calculated incorporation energy shows that gold would most likely exist in pyrite via incorporating into interstitial lattice sites in the absence of As impurity.As a result of incorporated Au,the covalence levels of the S—Fe and S—S bonds are changed,and the tonicity of Au—S bonds and antibonding of Au—Fe bonds are found to form in the pyrite,which would change the natural flotability of pyrite.The Au impurity energy levels are introduced into the energy band and result in the transformation of pyrite semiconductivity type.The calculated band-gap value suggests that the incorporated Au significantly decreases pyrite semiconductivity level,which enhances the formation and the adsorption stability of dixanthogen during pyrite flotation.The DOS results reveal that the stability and depression difficulty level of pyrites increases in the following order:Fe_(32)S_(63)As<Fe_(32)S_(64)<Fe_(32)S_(63)As Au<Fe_(32)S_(64)Au.

Band-gap engineering of La1-xNdxAlO3(x = 0,0.25,0.50,0.75,1)perovskite using density functional theory：A modified Becke Johnson potential study

The structural,electronic,and magnetic properties of the Nd-doped Rare earth aluminate,La1-xNdxAlO3（x = 0%to 100%） alloys are studied using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave（FP-LAPW） method within the density functional theory.The effects of the Nd substitution in La AlO3 are studied using the supercell calculations.The computed electronic structure with the modified Becke–Johnson（m BJ） potential based approximation indicates that the La1-xNdxAlO3 alloys may possess half-metallic（HM） behaviors when doped with Nd of a finite density of states at the Fermi level（EF）.The direct and indirect band gaps are studied each as a function of x which is the concentration of Nddoped La AlO3.The calculated magnetic moments in the La1-xNdxAlO3 alloys are found to arise mainly from the Nd-4f state.A probable half-metallic nature is suggested for each of these systems with supportive integral magnetic moments and highly spin-polarized electronic structures in these doped systems at EF.The observed decrease of the band gap with the increase in the concentration of Nd doping in La AlO3 is a suitable technique for harnessing useful spintronic and magnetic devices.

Density Functional Theory Study on Organic Dye Sensitizers Containing Bis-dimethylfluorenyl Amino Benzofuran

The geometries, electronic structures, polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities, as well as the UV-Vis spectra of the two organic dye sensitizers containing bis-dimethylfluorenyl amino benzofuran were studied via density functional theory （DFT） and time-dependent DFT. The features of electronic absorption spectra were assigned on account of the agreement between the experiment and the calculations. The absorption bands in visible region are related to photoinduced electron transfer processes, and the dimethylfluorenyl amino benzo[b]furan groups are major chromophore that contributed to the sensitization of photo-to-current conversion. The role of vinylene group in geometry, electronic structure and spectra property is analyzed according to the comparative study of the dyes.

Pressure-dependent physical properties of cubic SrΒO3(Β=Cr,Fe)perovskites investigated by density functional theory

We perform the first-principles investigations of the structural,elastic,electronic,and optical properties of SrBO3(B=Cr,Fe)perovskites under pressure based on density functional theory(DFT).This is the first detailed pressure-dependent study of the physical properties for these compounds.The calculated structural parameters are consistent with the existing experimental results and slightly decrease with the application of pressure.The mechanical properties are discussed in detail and reveal that the SrCrO3 is harder than SrFeO3.Without pressure,these compounds behave like half-metals,confirmed by their band structure and density of states.Although the SrCrO3 retains its half-metallic nature under pressure,SrFeO3 becomes metallic for both up-spin and down-spin configuration.Both charge density and bond overlap population reveal the covalent nature of Cr–O bond and Fe–O bond in the studied compounds.The optical properties of SrBO3,also discussed for the first time,reveal some interesting results.

Structural,Electrical,and Lithium Ion Dynamics of Li2MnO3 from Density Functional Theory

The layered Li2MnO3 is investigated by using the first-principles calculations within the GGA and GGA-t-U scheme, respectively. Within the GGA4-U approach, the calculated intercalation voltage （ranges from 4,5 V to 4.9 V） is found to be in good agreement with experiments. From the analysis of electronic structure, the pure phase Li2MnO3 is insulating, which is indicative of poor electronic-conduction properties. However, further studies of lithium ion diffusion in bulk Li2MnO3 show that unlike the two-dimensional diffusion pathways in rock salt structure layered cathode materials, lithium can diffuse in a three-dimensional pathway in Li2MnO3, with moderate lithium migration energy barrier ranges from 0.57 to 0.63 e V.

Interface properties and electronic structures of aromatic molecules with anhydride and thio-functional groups on Ag(111) and Au(111) substrates

First-principles calculations for several aromatic molecules with anhydride and thio groups on Ag(111) and Au(111)reveal that the self-assembly structures and the interface properties are mainly determined by the functional groups of aromatic molecules. Detailed investigations of the electronic structures show that the electrons in molecular backbone are redistributed and charge transfer occurs through the bond between the metal and the functional groups after these molecules have been deposited on a metal substrate. The interaction between Ag(111)(or Au(111)) and aromatic molecules with anhydride functional groups strengthens the π bonds in the molecular backbone, while that between Ag(111)(or Au(111))and aromatic molecules with sulfur weakens the π bonds. However, the intrinsic electronic structures of the molecules are mostly conserved. The large-sized aromatic backbone has less influence on the nature of electronic structures than the small-sized one, either at the interface or at the molecules. These results are useful to build the good metal-molecule contact in molecule-based devices.

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.

Effect of lattice defects on the electronic structures and floatability of pyrites

The electronic structures of three types of lattice defects in pyrites （i.e., As-substituted, Co-substituted, and intercrystalline Au py-rites） were calculated using the density functional theory （DFT）. In addition, their band structures, density of states, and difference charge density were studied. The effect of the three types of lattice defects on the pyrite floatability was explored. The calculated results showed that the band-gaps of pyrites with Co-substitution and intercrystalline Au decreased significantly, which favors the oxidation of xanthate to dix-anthogen and the adsorption of dixanthogen during pyrite flotation. The stability of the pyrites increased in the following order： As-substituted 〈 perfect 〈 Co-substituted 〈 intercrystalline Au. Therefore, As-substituted pyrite is easier to be depressed by intensive oxidi-zation compared to perfect pyrite in a strongly alkaline medium. However, Co-substituted and intercrystalline Au pyrites are more difficult to be depressed compared to perfect pyrite. The analysis of the Mulliken bond population and the electron density difference indicates that the covalence characteristic of the S Fe bond is larger compared to the S S bond in perfect pyrite. In addition, the presence of the three types of lattice defects in the pyrite bulk results in an increase in the covalence level of the S Fe bond and a decrease in the covalence level of the S S bond, which affect the natural floatability of the pyrites.

The First-principles Calculations of the Electronic Structures and Optical Properties of Ⅱ-Ⅲ_2-Ⅵ_4(Ⅱ = Zn, Cd; Ⅲ = In; Ⅵ = Se, Te)

The electronic structures and optical properties of II-III2-VI4 （II = Zn, Cd; III = In; VI = Se, Te） compounds are studied by the density functional theory （DFT） using the Vienna ab initio simulation package （VASP）. Geometrical optimization of the unit cell is in good agreement with the experimental data. Our calculations show that the valence band maximum （VBM） and conduction band minimum （CBM） are located at G resulting in a direct energy gap. The optical properties are analyzed, and the independent second harmonic generation （SHG） coefficients are determined. By an analysis of the band structure, we can get that SHG response of the system can be attributed to the transitions from the bands near the top of valence band that are derived from the Se/Te p states to the unoccupied bands contributed by the p states of In atoms.

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.

Theoretical insights into interfacial and electronic structures of NiOx/SrTiO3 photocatalyst for overall water splitting

SrTiO3 is a promising candidate photocatalyst for overall water splitting.Loading suitable cocatalysts,such as NiOx,the mixture of Ni and NiO,remarkably improve the photocatalytic activity.However,spatial locations and functions of components in NiOx/SrTiO3 are under debate.Here,using first-principles density functional theory(DFT)calculations,we investigate the initial growth of Nin(n=1–4)and(NiO)n(n=1,2 and 4)clusters on stoichiometric(100)surfaces of SrTiO3,and explore interfacial and electronic structures of composite photocatalysts.It is found that Nin clusters are easier to undergo aggregation on SrO-termination than on TiO2-termination.The adsorption of Nincluster on(100)surfaces elevates the Fermi level towards the conduction band,which may benefit the occurrence of hydrogen evolution reaction.The structural similarity between(NiO)n cluster and surface has an essential effect on the most stable adsorption configuration.For(NiO)n/SrTiO3 systems,the occupied states of(NiO)n cluster well overlap with those of(100)surfaces in the valence band maximum,which is in favor of the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes to SrTiO3 support and(NiO)n cluster,respectively.The detailed DFT analysis provides important insights into the growth of NiOx on surfaces of SrTiO3and presents an explanation on the different models of NiOx/SrTiO3 photocatalyst proposed by experimental groups.Our calculations build a basis for further investigations on the mechanism of photocatalytic water-splitting reaction in NiOx/SrTiO3composite system.

A density-functional theory for (BAs) n clusters (n=1-14):structures,stabilities and electronic properties

This paper investigates the lowest-energy structures, stabilities and electronic properties of （BAs）n clusters （n=1- 14） by means of the density-functional theory. The results show that the lowest-energy structures undergo a structural change from two-dimensional to three-dimensional when n ： 4. With the increase of the cluster size （n=6）, the （BAs）n clusters tend to adopt cage-like structures, which can be considered as being built from B2As2 and six-membered rings with B-As bond alternative arrangement. The binding energy per atom, second-order energy differences, vertical electron affinity and vertical ionization potential are calculated and discussed. The caculated HOMO-LUMO gaps reveal that the clusters have typical semiconductor characteristics. The analysis of partial density of states suggests that there are strong covalence and molecular characteristics in the clusters.

Structural and Electronic Properties of Lutetium Doped Germanium Clusters LuGen^((+/0/-))(n=6~19):A Density Functional Theory Investigation

Structural growth mechanism,energetics,and electronic properties of cationic,neutral,and anionic lutetium doped germanium cluster LuGen^((+/0/-))(n=6~19)were comprehensively studied by the ABCluster unbiased global search technique with a hybrid density functional theory approach.Compared to the experimental PES,the anion evolution of structure can be clearly defined as four-phase:from the adsorbed to the link structure,then to the half cage motif,and finally to the endohedral structure.The results revealed that the LuGe16-as Frank-Kasper structure with high symmetry of Td can greatly enhance the stabilities.Doped structures have shown thermodynamic stability and appropriate energy gap.These materials are suitable semiconductors.Various approaches,including quasi-spherical geometry with closed-shell model,aromaticity,UV-Vis spectra,density of states(DOS)and partial density of states(PDOS)were applied to further support the results.

Structures and electronic properties of Mo_(2n)N_n(n=1-5):a density functional study

The lowest-energy structures and the electronic properties of Mo2nNn （n=1-5） clusters have been studied by using the density functional theory （DFT） simulating package DMol3 in the generalized gradient approximation （GGA）. The resulting equilibrium geometries show that the lowest-energy structures are dominated by central cores which correspond to the ground states of Mon （n = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10） clusters and nitrogen atoms which surround these cores. The average binding energy, the adiabatic electron affinity （AEA）, the vertical electron affinity （VEA）, the adiabatic ionization potential （AIP） and the vertical ionization potential （VIP） of Mo2nNn （n=1-5） clusters have been estimated. The HOMO LUMO gaps reveal that the clusters have strong chemical activities. An analysis of Mulliken charge distribution shows that charge-transfer moves from Mo atoms to N atoms and increases with cluster size.

Electronic and Optical Properties of Rocksalt CdO: A first-Principles Density-Functional Theory Study

The structural, electronic and optical properties of rocksalt CdO have been studied using the plane-wave-based pseudo-potential density functional theory within generalized gradient approximation. The calculated lattice parameters are in agreement with previous experimental work. The band structure, density of states, and Mulliken charge population are obtained, which indicates that rocksalt CdO having the properties of a halfmetal due to an indirect band gap of -0.51eV. The mechanical properties show that rocksalt CdO is mechanically stable, isotropic and malleable. Significantly, we propose a correct value for ε1(0) of about 4.75, which offers theoretical data for the design and application for rocksalt CdO in optoelectronic materials.

Electronic structure and optical properties of Nb-doped Sr_2TiO_4 by density function theory calculation

This paper investigates the effect of Nb doping on the electronic structure and optical properties of Sr2TiO4 by the first-principles calculation of plane wave ultra-soft pseudo-potential based on density functional theory （DFT）.The calculated results reveal that due to the electron doping,the Fermi level shifts into conduction bands（CBs） for Sr2NbxTi1-xO4 with x=0.125 and the system shows n-type degenerate semiconductor features. Sr2TiO4 exhibits optical anisotropy in its main crystal axes,and the c-axis shows the most suitable crystal growth direction for obtaining a wide transparent region.The optical transmittance is higher than 90% in the visible range for Sr2Nb0.125Ti0.875O4.

Density Functional Theory Study on （Cl2GaN3）n （n=1 4） Clusters

The molecular geometries, vibrational properties, and thermodynamic properties of the clusters （Cl2GaN3）n （n= 1--4） have been predicted at the B3LYP/6-311 ＋G＊ level. The optimized clusters （Cl2GaN3）n （n=2--4） all possess cyclic structures containing Ga--N,--Ga linkages. The relationships between geometrical parameters and oli- gomerization degree n are discussed. The gas-phase structures of the trimers prefer to exist in boat-twisting confor- mation. As for the tetramer, the $4 symmetry structure is the most stable. The infrared spectra are obtained and as- signed by vibrational analysis. Thermodynamic properties derived from the infrared spectra on the basis of statistical thermodynamic principles are linearly correlated with the oligomerization degree n as well as the temperature. Meanwhile, thermodynamic analysis of the gas-phase reaction suggests that the oligomerization is exothermic and favorable under high temperature.