Investigations of phase transition, elastic and thermodynamic properties of GaP by using the density functional theory

The phase transition of gallium phosphide （GAP） from zinc-blende （ZB） to a rocksalt （RS） structure is investigated by the plane-wave pseudopotential density functional theory （DFT）. Lattice constant a0, elastic constants cij, bulk modulus B0 and the pressure derivative of bulk modulus B0 are calculated. The results are in good agreement with numerous experimental and theoretical data. From the usual condition of equal enthalpies, the phase transition from the ZB to the RS structure occurs at 21.9 GPa, which is close to the experimental value of 22.0 GPa. The elastic properties of GaP with the ZB structure in a pressure range from 0 GPa to 21.9 GPa and those of the RS structure in a pressure range of pressures from 21.9 GPa to 40 GPa are obtained. According to the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the phononic effects are considered, the normalized volume V/Vo, the Debye temperature 8, the heat capacity Cv and the thermal expansion coefficient a are also discussed in a pressure range from 0 CPa to 40 GPa and a temperature range from 0 K to 1500 K.

Robustness of the octupole collectivity in 144Ba within the cranking covariant density functional theory in 3D lattice

The octupole deformation and collectivity in octupole double-magic nucleus 144Ba are investigated using the Cranking covariant density functional theory in a three-dimensional lattice space.The reduced B(E3)transition probability is implemented for the first time in semiclassical approximation based on the microscopically calculated electric octupole moments.The available data,including the I-ωrelation and electric transitional probabilities B(E2)and B(E3)are well reproduced.Furthermore,it is shown that the ground state of 144Ba exhibits axial octupole and quadrupole deformations that persist up to high spins(I≈24h).

A density functional theory study of the tunable structure, magnetism and metal-insulator phase transition in VS2 monolayers induced by in-plane biaxial strain

We report a density functional theory study of a phase transition of a VS2 monolayer that can be tuned by the in-plane biaxial strain. This results in both a metal-insulator transition and a low spin-high spin magnetic transition. At low temperature, the semiconducting H-phase is stable and large strain （〉3%） is required to provoke the transition. On the other hand, at room temperature （300 K）, only a small tensile strain of 2% is needed to induce the phase transition from the semiconducting H-phase to the metallic T-phase together with the magnetic transition from high spin to low spin. The phase diagram dependence on both strain and temperature is also discussed in order to provide a better understanding of the phase stability of VS2 monolayers.

Theoretical investigation on the excited state intramolecular proton transfer in Me_(2)N substituted flavonoid by the time-dependent density functional theory method

Time-dependent density functional theory(TDDFT)method is used to investigate the details of the excited state intramolecular proton transfer(ESIPT)process and the mechanism for temperature effect on the Enol^(*)/Keto^(*)emission ratio for the Me_(2)N-substited flavonoid(MNF)compound.The geometric structures of the S_(0) and S_(1) states are denoted as the Enol,Enol^(*),and Keto*.In addition,the absorption and fluorescence peaks are also calculated.It is noted that the calculated large Stokes shift is in good agreement with the experimental result.Furthermore,our results confirm that the ESIPT process happens upon photoexcitation,which is distinctly monitored by the formation and disappearance of the characteristic peaks of infrared(IR)spectra involved in the proton transfer and in the potential energy curves.Besides,the calculations of highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO)and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO)reveal that the electronegativity change of proton acceptor due to the intramolecular charge redistribution in the S_(1) state induces the ESIPT.Moreover,the thermodynamic calculation for the MNF shows that the Enol^(*)/Keto^(*)emission ratio decreasing with temperature increasing arises from the barrier lowering of ESIPT.

Electronic structures and phase transition characters of β-, P61-, P62- and δ-Si_3N_4 under extreme conditions: a density functional theory study

This paper describes the results of structural, electronic and elastic properties of silicon nitride （in its high-pressure P61 and P62 phases） through the first-principles calculation combined with an ultra-soft pseudo- potential. The computed equilibrium lattice constants agree well with the experimental data and the theoretical results. The strongest chemical bond （N-Si bond） shows a covalent nature with a little weaker ionic character. P61- Si3N4 is more stable than P62-Si3N4 due mainly to the fact that the shorter N-Si bond in the P61 phase allows stronger electron hybridizations. We have also predicted the phase stability of Si3N4 using the quasi-harmonic approximation, in which the lattice vibration and phonon effect are both considered. The results show that the 13 P61 phase transition is very likely to occur at 42.9 GPa and 300 K. The reason why the β→P61→3 phase transitions had never been observed is also discussed.

Theoretical Investigation of the Bonding Properties of Bis（glycinato） d8metal（II） Dihydrate Complexes Using Density Functional Theory

Density functional theory （DFT） approach has been applied for the analysis of the bond between the [（H20）2] and the [M（gly）2] fragments in a series of trans and cis [M（gly）2[（H20）2] complexes. For comparative purpose, both relativistic and non-relativistic calculations have been performed. The nature of the interaction between the [（H20）2] and [M（gly）2] fragments was investigated using energy decomposition analysis, Hirshfeld atomic charge variation, molecular orbital considerations and bond order decomposition analysis, respectively. Results reveal that the [（H20）：]-[M（gly）2] interaction lies from the hydrogen bridge interaction between these fragments. The strength of the bonding increases in the order Ni2＋ 〉 Pd2＋ 〉 Pt2＋ while the relativistic correction tends to strengthen the [（H2O）2---[M（gly）2] bond in the order Ni 〈 Pd 〈 Pt.

Theoretical Study on the C-H Activation in Decarbonylation of Acetaldehyde by NiL_2(L=SO_3CH_3) Using Density Functional Theory

Density functional theory calculations were carried out to explore the potential energy surface（PES） associated with the gas-phase reaction of Ni L2（L=SO3CH3） with acetone. The geometries and energies of the reactants, intermediates, products and transition states of the triplet ground potential energy surfaces of [Ni, O, C2, H4] were obtained at the B3LYP/6-311＋＋G（d,p） levels in C,H,O atoms and B3LYP/ Lanl2 dz in Ni atom. It was found through our calculations that the decabonylation of acetaldehyde contains four steps including encounter complexation, C-C activation, aldehyde H-shift and nonreactive dissociation. The results revealed that C-C activation induced by Ni L2（L=SO3CH3） led to the decarbonylation of acetaldehyde.

Dimensionality Effects in Dipolar Fluids:A Density Functional Theory Study

Using classical density functional theory (DFT) in a modified mean-field approximation we investigate the fluid phase behavior of quasi-two dimensional dipolar fluids confined to a plane. The particles carry three-dimensional dipole moments and interact via a combination of hard-sphere, van-der-Waals, and dipolar interactions. The DFT predicts complex phase behavior involving first- and second-order isotropic-to-ferroelectric transitions, where the ferroelectric ordering is characterized by global polarization within the plane. We compare this phase behavior, particularly the onset of ferroelectric ordering and the related tri-critical points, with corresponding three-dimensional systems, slab-like systems (with finite extension into the third direction), and true two-dimensional systems with two-dimensional dipole moments.

Tunable Electronic and Magnetic Properties from Structure Phase Transition of Layered Vanadium Diselenide

The atomic geometry, structure stability, electronic and magnetic properties of VSe2 were systematically investigated based on the density functional theory（DFT）. Varying from 3D to 2D four VSe2 structures, bulk 2H-VSe2 and 1T-VSe2, monolayer H-VSe2 and T-VSe2 are all demonstrated as thermodynamically stable by lattice dynamic calculations. More interestingly, the phase transition temperature is dramatically different due to the lattice size. Finally, owing to different crystal structures, H-VSe2 is semimetallic whereas T-VSe2 is totally metallic and also they have different magnetic moments. Our main argument is that being exfoliated from bulk to monolayer, 2H-VSe2 transforms to T-VSe2, accompanied by both semimetallic-metallic transition and dramatic magnetic moment variation. Our calculations provide a novel structure phase transition and an efficient way to modulate the electronic structure and magnetic moment of layered VSe2, which suggests potential applications as high-performance functional nanomaterial.

First-principles study on the geometric and electronic structures and phase transition of PbZr_(1-x)Ti_xO_3 solid solutions

With first-principles virtual-crystal approximation calculations, we systematically investigate the geometric and elec- tronic structures as well as the phase transition of lead zirconate titanate （PbZr 1-xTixO3 or PZT） as a function of Ti content for the whole range of 0 〈 XTi 〈 1. It can be found that, with the increase of the Ti content, the PbZr1-xTixO3 solid solutions undergo a rhombohedral-to-tetragonal phase transition, which is consistent with the experimental results. In addition, we also show the evolution in geometric and electronic structures of rhombohedral and tetragonal PbZr1-xTixO3 with the increasing content of Ti.

A Puzzle of Quantum Phase Transition on Gd-IMC by Tuning of Conduction Electron Concentration

Based on the critical unstable of both crystal and magnetic structure of Gd-intermetallic compound near the competition of two strongly independent subsystem （＂local 4f7＂ and ＂conduction electron concentration＂）, a new QPT （quantum point transition） is predicted by calculation of： （1） The band structure and density of state by density functional theory where a strong narrowing fluidity of fermions around EF with shifted to negative value ＂-0.8 eV ＂is observable in the Gd-intermetalliccompound system while in the Y-case, it is not dominated. An antiferromagnetic state on the fluidity of conduction band can be investigated; （2） The internal magnetic field due to short range exchange interaction Jij between the nearest neighbor of local magnetic moment of stable s-state of Gd （L = 0） through the mean field approximation and of Eigenvalue-Eigenfunction ~.（k） are calculated. While a strong negative value of Jy is predicted, the eigenvalue L（k） of the system shows a strong antiferromagnetic phase in the reciprocal lattice direction 〈010〉, 〈001〉 in the correlation length 3.38 ~A. Although the antiferromagnetic state at Rc 〈_ 3.38 °A is a puzzle but it is completely dominated at Rc = 9 °A after passing through the competition between ）.λmin（O） and λmin（π） in the ranger of 3.2 °A 〈 Rc 〈 9 °A. Since both of the antiferromagnetic subsystems are sensitive to the predicted KF, the effect of decreasing of conduction electron is proposed to investigate, the change of the antiferromagnetic ordering state to the competition of ferromagnetic state （in direction 〈010〉） and antiferromagnetic state （in direction 〈001 〉 and 〈 100〉） resulted to paramagnetic state in the long range Rc = 9 °A.

Ab initio study on phase transition and magnetism of BiFeO_3 under pressure

In this paper the first-principles calculations within local spin density approximation （LSDA）＋U show that BiFeO3 experiences a mixed phase state with P4mm structure being the intermediate phase before the pressure of phase transition is reached. The critical pressure for the insulator-metal transition （IMT） is found to be about 50 GPa. A pressure induced crossover of high-spin states and low-spin states is observed close to the IMT pressure in R3c structure. The LSDA＋U calculations account well for the mechanism of the IMT and crossover of spin states predicted in recent experiment （Ref.[1]）.

Density Functional Theory Study on the Adsorption of CN on Transition Metal M(100) (M = Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag and Au) Surfaces

The adsorption of cyanide on the top site of a series of transition metal M（100） （M = Cu, Ag, Au, Ni, Pd, Pt） surfaces via carbon and nitrogen atoms respectively, with the CN axis perpendicular to the surface, has been studied by means of density functional theory and cluster model. Geometry, adsorption energy and vibrational frequencies have been determined, and the present calculations show that the adsorption of CN through C-end on metal surface is more favorable than that via N-end for the same surface. The vibrational frequencies of CN for C-down configuration on surface are blue-shifted with respect to the free CN, which is contrary to the change of vibrational frequencies when CN is adsorbed by N-down structure. Furthermore, the charge transfer from surface to CN causes the increase of surface work function.

Light-induced magnetic phase transition in van der Waals antiferromagnets

Control over magnetic properties by optical stimulation is not only interesting from the physics point of view,but also important for practical applications such as magneto-optical devices.Here,based on a simple tight-binding(TB)model,we propose a general theory of light-induced magnetic phase transition(MPT)in antiferromagnets.Considering the fact that the bandgap of the antiferromagnetic(AFM)phase is usually larger than that of the ferromagnetic(FM)one for a given system,we suggest that light-induced electronic excitation prefers to stabilize the FM state over the AFM one,and will induce an MPT from AFM phase to FM phase once a critical photocarrier concentration(αc)is reached.This theory has been confirmed by performing firstprinciples calculations on a series of 2D van der Waals(vd W)antiferromagnets.Interestingly,a linear relationship betweenαc and the intrinsic material parameters is obtained,in agreement with our TB model analysis.Our general theory paves a new way to manipulate 2D magnetism with high speed and superior resolution.

Ab initio and density functional theory studies of the structure,gas-phase acidity and aromaticity of tetraselenosquaric acid

Results of ab initio self-consistent-field (SCF) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the gas-phase structure, acidity (free energy of deprotonation, ΔG*) and aromaticity of tetraselenosquaric acid (3, 4-diselenyl-3-cyclobutene-1,2-diselenone, H2 C4 Se4)are reported. The global minimum found on the potential energy surface of tetraselenosquaric acid presents a planar conformation. The ZZ isomer was found to have the lowest energy among the three planar conformers and the ZZ and ZE isomers are very dose in energy. The optimized geometric parameters exhibit a bond length equalization relative to reference compounds, cyclobutanediselenone, and cyclobutanediselenol. The computed aromatic stabilization energy (ASE) by homodesmotic reaction is -77.4 (MP2(fu)/6–311+G** /RHF/6 - 311 + G** ) and - 54.8 kJ/mol (B3LYP/6 - 311 + G** //B3LYP/6 -311 + G**). The aromaticity of tetraselenosquaric acid is indicated by the calculated diamagnetic susceptibility exaltation (A) -19.13 (CSGT(IGAIM)-RHF/6–311 + G**// RHF/6–311 + G** and -32.91 (4π·10?6 m?3/mol)(CSGT(I-GAIM)-B3LYP/6 - 311 + G* * //B3LYP/6 - 311 + G**). Thus, tetraselenosquaric acid fulfils the geometric, energetic and magnetic criteria of aromaticity. The calculated gas-phase acidity is ΔG1*(298k) = 1257.7 and ΔG*2 (298k) = 1617.1 kJ/mol. Hence, tetraselenosquaric acid is the strongest acid among the three squaric acids (3, 4-dihydroxy-3-cyclobutene-1, 2-dione, H2 C4 3,4-dithiohydroxy-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dithione, H2C4 S4, 3, 4-diselenyl-3-cyclobutene-1,2-diselenone, H2C4Se4).

Constrained lattice density functional theory and its applications on vapor–liquid nucleations

Vapor-liquid phase transition occurs via a nucleation process, and depending on the role of foreign objects, nucleation can be either homogeneous or heterogeneous. In this review, we focus on the recently developed constrained lattice density functional theory （CLDFT） and its applications on vapor-liquid nucleation. We also review the recent theoretical advance on the stability of nanobubbles. Based on CLDFT, a pinning and supersaturation mechanism has proposed to interpret the surprising stability of surface nanobubbles. The mechanism can interpret most characteristics of nanobubbles. More importantly, the mechanism suggests that the critical nucleus can be stabilized under the condition of contact line pinning. Thus, CLDFT studies provide an alternative way to measure the critical nucleus that is difficult to measure experimentally in the bulk solution, through stabilizing it with surface roughness or heterogeneities.

Adsorption of Methanol and Methoxy on Cu（111） Surface： A First-principles Periodic Density Functional Theory Study

Adsorption of methanol and methoxy at four selected sites （top, bridge, hcp, fcc） on Cu（111） surface has been investigated by density functional theory method at the generalized gradient approximation （GGA） level. The calculation on adsorption energies, geometry and electronic structures, Mulliken charges, and vibrational frequencies of CH3OH and CH3O on clean Cu（111） surface was performed with full-geometry optimization, and compared with the experimental data. The obtained results are in agreement with available experimental data. The most favorite adsorption site for methanol on Cu（111） surface is the top site, where C-O axis is tilted to the surface. Moreover, the preferred adsorption site for methoxy on Cu（111） surface is the fcc site, and it adsorbs in an upright geometry with pseudo-C2v local symmetry. Possible decomposition pathways also have been investigated by transition-state searching methods. Methoxy radical, CH3O, was found to be the decomposition intermediate. Methanol can be adsorbed on the surface with its oxygen atom directly on a Cu atom, and weakly chemisorbed on Cu（111） surface. In contrast to methanol, methoxy is strongly chemisorbed to the surface.

Explanation of Relation between Wave Function and Probability Density Based on Quantum Mechanics in Phase Space

The main problem of quantum mechanics is to elucidate why the probability density is the modulus square of wave function. For the purpose of solving this problem, we explored the possibility of deducing the fundamental equation of quantum mechanics by starting with the probability density. To do so, it is necessary to formulate a new theory of quantum mechanics distinguished from the previous ones. Our investigation shows that it is possible to construct quantum mechanics in phase space as an alternative autonomous formulation and such a possibility enables us to study quantum mechanics by starting with the probability density rather than the wave function. This direction of research is contrary to configuration-space formulation of quantum mechanics starting with the wave function. Our work leads to a full understanding of the wave function as the both mathematically and physically sufficient representation of quantum-mechanical state which supplements information on quantum state given solely by the probability density with phase information on quantum state. The final result of our work is that quantum mechanics in phase space satisfactorily elucidates the relation between the wave function and the probability density by using the consistent procedure starting with the probability density, thus corroborating the ontological interpretation of the wave function and withdrawing a main assumption of quantum mechanics.

Effect of Elastic Strains on Adsorption Energies of C,H and O on Transition Metal Oxides

Platinum(Pt)-based noble metal catalysts(PGMs)are the most widely used commercial catalysts,but they have the problems of high cost,low reserves,and susceptibility to small-molecule toxicity.Transition metal oxides(TMOs)are regarded as potential substitutes for PGMs because of their stability in oxidizing environments and excellent catalytic performance.In this study,comprehensive investigation into the influence of elastic strains on the adsorption energies of carbon(C),hydrogen(H)and oxygen(O)on TMOs was conducted.Based on density functional theory(DFT)calculations,these effects in both tetragonal structures(PtO_(2),PdO_(2))and hexagonal structures(ZnO,CdO),along with their respective transition metals were systematically explored.It was identified that the optimal adsorption sites on metal oxides pinpointed the top of oxygen or the top of metal atom,while face-centered cubic(FCC)and hexagonal close-packed(HCP)holes were preferred for the transition metals.Furthermore,under the influence of elastic strains,the results demonstrated significant disparities in the adsorption energies of H and O between oxides and transition metals.Despite these differences,the effect of elastic strains on the adsorption energies of C,H and O on TMOs mirrored those on transition metals:adsorption energies increased under compressive strains,indicating weaker adsorption,and decreased under tension strains,indicating stronger adsorption.This behavior was rationalized based on the d-band model for adsorption atop a metallic atom or the p-band model for adsorption atop an oxygen atom.Consequently,elastic strains present a promising avenue for tailoring the catalytic properties of TMOs.

Atomic orbitals modulated dual functional bimetallic phosphides derived from MOF on MOF structure for boosting high efficient overall water splitting

The electronic modulation characteristics of efficient metal phosphide electrocatalysts can be utilized to tune the performance of oxygen evolution reaction(OER).However,improving the overall water splitting performance remains a challenging task.By building metal organic framework(MOF)on MOF heterostructures,an efficient strategy for controlling the electrical structure of MOFs was presented in this study.ZIF-67 was in-situ synthesized on MIL-88(Fe)using a two-step self-assembly method,followed by low-temperature phosphorization to ultimately synthesize FeP-CoP_(3)bimetallic phosphides.By combining atomic orbital theory and theoretical calculations(density functional theory),the results reveal the successful modulation of electronic orbitals in FeP-CoP_(3)bimetallic phosphides,which are synthesized from MOF on MOF structure.The synergistic impact of the metal center Co species and the phase conjugation of both kinds of MOFs are responsible for this regulatory phenomenon.Therefore,the catalyst demonstrates excellent properties,demonstrating HER 81 mV(η10)in a 1.0 mol L^(−1)KOH solution and OER 239 mV(η50)low overpotentials.The FeP-CoP_(3)linked dual electrode alkaline batteries,which are bifunctional electrocatalysts,have a good electrocatalytic ability and may last for 50 h.They require just 1.49 V(η50)for total water breakdown.Through this technique,the electrical structure of electrocatalysts may be altered to increase catalytic activity.