Ab initio Calculations of the Formation Energies of Lithium Intercalations in SnSb

SnSb has attracted a great attention in recent investigations as an anode material for Li ion batteries. The formation energies and electronic properties of the Li intercalations in SnSb have been calculated within the framework of local density functional theory and the first-principles pseudopotential technique. The changes of volumes, band structures, charge density analysis and the electronic density of states for the Li intercalations are presented. The results show that the average Li intercalation formation energy per Li atom is around 2.7 eV.

Formation Energies of the Lithium Intercalations in MoS_2

First-principles calculations have been performed to study the lithium intercalations in MoS2. The formation energies, changes of volumes, electronic structures and charge densities of the lithium intercalations in MoS2 are presented. Our calculations show that during lithium intercalations in MoS2, the lithium intercalation formation energies per lithium atom are between 2.5 eV to 3.0 eV. The volume expansions of MoS2 due to lithium intercalations are relatively small

Mechanical properties,thermal conductivity and defect formation energies of samarium immobilization in Gd_(2)Zr_(2)O_(7):First-principles study and irradiation experiment

A density functional theory(DFT)study was employed to investigate the mechanical property,thermal conductivity,Debye temperature,electronic structure and defect chemistry of(Gd_(1-x)Sm_(x))_(2)Zr_(2)O_(7).All the(Gd_(1-x)Sm_(x))_(2)Zr_(2)O_(7) compounds exhibit an excellent structural and mechanical stability(Gd_(0.25)Sm_(0.75))_(2)Zr_(2)O_(7) has the lowest Young’s modulus of 213.7 GPa,the largest Possion’s ratio of 0.292,the lowest Debye temperature of 491.8 K and the lowest thermal conductivity.The calculated thermal conductivities of(Gd_(1-x)Sm_(x))_(2)Zr_(2)O_(7) are 1.17-1.21 W/(m·K)by the Clark’s model and 1.32-1.36 W/(m·K)by the Cahall’s model,respectively.The formation energies of O vacancies at 48f site are negative,which increase with the Sm content,however,the formation energies of O vacancies at 8b site are almost invariable.In addition,Sm partly occupying the Gd-site reduces distinctly the formation energies of defects such as A-site vacancies,cation antisite defects,anion Frenkel pairs of oxygen at 8b site and cation interstitials,which suggests that Sm-doped Gd_(2)Zr_(2)O_(7),especially equimolar GdSmZr_(2)O_(7),has a better irradiation tolerance.After the 16 MeVTa-ion irradiation at a fluence of 1×10^(14) or 2×10^(14) ions/cm^(2),the crystal structure of GdSmZr_(2)O_(7) transforms from pyrochlore to a defect fluorite without obvious amorphous phase.

Efficient predictions of formation energies and convex hulls from density functional tight binding calculations

Defects in materials significantly alter their electronic and structural properties,which affect the per-formance of electronic devices,structural alloys,and functional materials.However,calculating all the possible defects in complex materials with conventional Density Functional Theory(DFT)can be compu-tationally prohibitive.To enhance the efficiency of these calculations,we interfaced Density Functional Tight Binding(DFTB)with the Clusters Approach to Statistical Mechanics(CASM)software package for the first time.Using SiC and ZnO as representative examples,we show that DFTB gives accurate results and can be used as an efficient computational approach for calculating and pre-screening formation ener-gies/convex hulls.Our DFTB+CASM implementation allows for an efficient exploration(up to an order of magnitude faster than DFT)of formation energies and convex hulls,which researchers can use to probe other complex systems.

FREE ENERGIES OF FORMATION FOR ELECTROCHEMICALLOY ALLOYED Y-Cu SYSTEM

The electrochemical alloying of Y-Cu system in molten NaCl-KCl-YCl_3 has been investi- gated.The free energy changes of the formation reactions of the intermetallic compounds,in- cluding YCu_6 ,YCu_4 YCu_2 ,Yfu(973—103 K),were determined by means of electrode potential-time curves of the working electrode after potentiostatic electrolysis.The results in- dicate that the potential-time method is simple and reliable.

The Quasi-Parabolic Regulation of the Standard Free Energies of Formation of Binary Intermediate Compounds

In this paper it has theoretically proved that the relationship of the molar atomic standard free energies of formation of binary intermediate compounds to the molar fraction of component is a quasi-parabola which is called a quasi-parabolic regula- tion.

Atomistic understanding of capacity loss in LiNiO_(2)for high-nickel Li-ion batteries:First-principles study

Combining the first-principles calculations and structural enumeration with recognition,the delithiation process of LiNiO_(2)is investigated,where various supercell shapes are considered in order to obtain the formation energy of Li_(x)NiO_(2).Meanwhile,the voltage profile is simulated and the ordered phases of lithium vacancies corresponding to concentrations of 1/4,2/5,3/7,1/2,2/3,3/4,5/6,and 6/7 are predicted.To understand the capacity decay in the experiment during the charge/discharge cycles,deoxygenation and Li/Ni antisite defects are calculated,revealing that the chains of oxygen vacancies will be energetically preferrable.It can be inferred that in the absence of oxygen atom in high delithiate state,the diffusion of Ni atoms is facilitated and the formation of Li/Ni antisite is induced.

Maxwell Equations and Magnetic Monopoles

The manuscript introduces an “ab initio” quantum model to deduce the Maxwell equations. After general considerations and laying out the model’s theoretical framework, these equations can be derived alongside a broad variety of other results. Specifically, a corollary of the present model proposes a possible mechanism underlying the formation of magnetic monopoles and allows estimating their formation energy in order of magnitude.

Intermediates transformation for efficient perovskite solar cells

Perovskite materials have made a great progress in terms of the power conversion efficiency(PCE), rising from 3.8% to 25.2%. To obtain pinhole-free, superior crystal, and high-quality perovskite films with less defect, intermediates transformation is important, which has been clearly studied and widely applied.In this review, we systematically summarize the commonly formed intermediates and detailedly analyze their mechanisms from five aspects:(1) Solvent-induced intermediate;(2) HI-induced intermediate;(3)CH3NH2-induced intermediate;(4) MAAc-induced intermediate;(5) other intermediates. Finally, we also provide some prospects on high-quality perovskite fabrication based on using intermediates prudently.

Electrochemical formation of holmium-cobalt alloys

The electrochemical formation processes of holmium-cobalt alloys on cobaltcathode in molten HoCl_3-KCl were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and open current potential-timecurve alter potentiostatic electrolysis. The structure of Ho-Co alloys' films deposited on cobaltelectrode by potentiostatic electrolysis was characterized by X-ray diffraction. The standard Gibbsfree energies of formation for the intermetallic compounds of Ho and Co were determined. Thediffusion coefficient and diffusion activation energy of Ho atom in the alloy phase were calculatedto be 10^(-10) -10^(-11) cm^2/s and 96.0 kJ/mol, respectively, from the current-time curve atpotential step.

FREE ENERGY OF FORMATION OF Na_2SnO_3 BY EMF MEASUREMENT USING β-ALUMINA SOLID ELECTROLYTE CELL

A β”/β-Al_2O_3 solid electrolyte was prepared and used in a Na conentration galvanic cell: (-)O_2(in Ar),SnO_2,Na_2SnO_3|β"/β-Al_2O_3]NaCrO_2,Cr_2O_3,O_2(in Ar)(+).The emf measurements were carried out in temperature range of 912—1223 K:E=652.1— 0.2092 T+2.3(mV).Using this equation and cited free energies of formation of NaCrO_2, Cr_2O_3 and SnO_2,the molar free energy of formation of Na_2 SnO_3 may be calculated by ΔG°=-1050+0.2544 T±5.4(kJ mol^(-1)).

Role of Ordering Energy in Formation of Grain Structure and Special Boundaries Spectrum in Ordered Alloys with L12 Superstructure

It was revealed that an average energy of special boundaries is proportional to APB energy in the alloys with the L12 superstructure. This fact proves the appearance of the GAPBs in the planes of location of special boundaries in coincidence sites of ordered alloys. It was determined that the more energy of special boundaries in ordered alloys, the more energy of complex stacking fault. There is a correlation between the distribution of special boundaries as a function its relative energy and ordering energy: the more ordering energy, the more degree of washed away of distribution. The correlation between average relative energy of special boundaries and ordering energy was detected: the more ordering energy, the more average energy of special boundaries. The reverse dependence between ordering energy and average number of special boundaries in grains limited by boundaries of general type was discovered.

Oxygen vacancy formation and migration in Sr- and Mg-doped LaGaO_3:a density functional theory study

Oxygen vacancy formation and migration in La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-5 （LSGM） with various crystal symmetries （cubic, rhombohedral, orthorhombic, and monoclinic） are studied by employing first-principles calculations based on density functional theory （DFT）. It is shown that the cubic LSGM has the smallest band gap, oxygen vacancy formation energy, and migration barrier, while the other three structures give rise to much larger values for these quantities, implying the best oxygen ion conductivity of the cubic LSGM among the four crystal structures. In out calculations, one oxygen vacancy migration pathway is considered in the cubic and rhombohedral structures due to all the oxygen sites being equivalent in them, while two vacancy migration pathways with different migration barriers are found in the orthorhombic and monoclinic symmetries owing to the existence of nonequivalent O1 and 02 oxygen sites. The migration energies along the migration pathway linking the two 02 sites are obviously lower than those along the pathway linking the O1 and 02 sites. Considering the phase transitions at high temperatures, the results obtained in this paper can not only explain the experimentally observed different behaviours of the oxygen ionic conductivity of LSGM with different symmetries, but also predict the rational crystal structures of LSGM for solid oxide fuel cell applications.

Electrochemical determination of Gibbs free energy of formation of magnesium ferrite

The standard Gibbs free energy of formation of magnesium ferrite was determined by means of two types of solid state electrochemical cells： one using MgZr4（PO4）6 （MZP） as the solid electrolyte and the other using CaF2 as the solid electrolyte. The first cell was operated in the range of 950 to 1100 K. The second cell was operated in the range of 1125 to 1200 K. The reversibility of the cell EMFs was confirmed by microcoulometric titration. The Gibbs energy changes of magnesium ferrite relative to component oxides were calculated based on EMF measurements and are given by following expressions, respectively： AG1 = -3579-15 T （J/mol） and AGⅡ =6258-24.3 T （J/mol）. The results obtained from two different cells are consistent with each other. The results also are in agreement with Rao＇ s and Tretjakov＇s data in the measured temperature range. When the Gibbs free energies of formation of MgO and Fe203 were substituted in the reaction, the Gibbs free energies of formation of MgFe204 was obtained in two temperature ranges and the for mations are shown as follows： AG 1Formation =-1427394＋360.5 T （J/mol） and AGⅡ Formition =-1417557＋351.2 T （J/mol）.

Study of the Effect of Operating Temperatures (1320 K, 1420 K and 1520 K) on the Vacant Sites of TiN Alloy in B2 Structure at 45%, 50% and 55% N by MEAM Method

In this work, we have studied the vacancy formation energy of TiN alloy of structure B2 of size 10 × 10 × 10 for nitrogen percentages of 45%, 50% and 55% under the influence of temperature at 1320 K, 1420 K and 1520 K using the Modified Embedded Atom Method MEAM under the calculation code LAMMPS version 2020. This study has enabled us to understand the behavior of the TiN alloy under different nitrogen percentages in terms of total energy, vacancy formation energy, crystalline parameter, occupancy rate and order parameter. For total energy, we have shown that as temperature increases, total energy decreases, making it easier to obtain TiN at higher temperatures;reaching the value of -7344.9169 eV for the 55% nitrogen structure for the temperature of 1420 K. For the energy of formation, we have shown that the compounds obtained at 1320 K and 1520 K have a more considerable energy of formation than that obtained at 1420 K. The study of fractions and the order parameter showed us that the structure of TiN with 55% nitrogen is less likely, as the composition obtained is at most 53.35%.

TEM observation of precipitation phase produced during tempering of steel AerMet100 and first principles calculations of phase evolution

The microstructure evolution law and the structure of precipitates produced during the tempering of steel AerMet100 based on TEM observation and the calibration of diffraction spot were revealed.The electronic structure and the stability of the MoxCr2-xC phase were calculated using the plane-wave pseudo-potential method on basis of density functional theory.TEM observations show that the precipitation phases Fe3C and Fe2-xCx(x=0.05～0.14) between martensite lath are produced at 425 and 480 ℃,respectively.The increase of tempering temperature or time can lead to the redissolution of both phases Fe3C and Fe2-xCx,and also lead to the precipitation of the phase Cr2C in martensite lath.The calculation results of formation energies and the density of state(DOS) demonstrate that in point of MoxCr2-xC structures formed during tempering,the early precipitation phase is Cr2C and finally later evolves into Mo2C phase with diffusing of incorporation of Mo atom into the Cr2C crystal cell,lattice,which can results in a energy decreases of the structure MoxCr2-xC phase with the increase of x.

Atomistic Simulation of He Clustering and Defects Produced in Ni

Using the molecular dynamics method, the stability of small He-vacancy clusters is studied under the condition of the high He and low vacancy densities. The result shows that there is a competition between He atoms detrapped and self-interstitial atoms （SIAs） emitted during the clustering of He atoms. When the He number is above a critical value of 9, the SIA emission is predominant. The SIA emission can result in deep capture of He atoms since the binding energy of He to a He-vacancy cluster is increased with the number of SIAs created. The cluster thus grows up. In addition, more SIAs are created when the temperature is elevated. The average volume of a He atom is increased. The cluster expansion takes place at high temperature.

Curvature and Size Effects on Reactivities of Mono-to Octa-vacancies in a(5,5) Single-walled Carbon Nanotube

Defect curvature was developed based on our previously proposed direction curvature theory. Defect curvature, as a universal criterion, was used to identify vacancy formation energies E_f of mono-vacancies to octa-vacancies in a（5,5） tube. An ab initio calculation results showed that E_f decreased with increasing the defect curvature K_（V_s）（s = 1~8）. The structures with removed carbon atoms along zigzag chain or the tubular axis were the most stable in each kind of Vs, because their corresponding K_（V_s） was the largest. In addition, local product structures disturbed the variation rule of E_f as K_（V_s）. There was an odd-even oscillation rule in the smallest E_f among each kind of Vs as the s value and vacancies V2, V4 and V6 were more stable. The stabilities of the related vacancy structures were confirmed by two dissociation processes.

Thermodynamic calculation of Er-X and Al-Er-X compounds existing in Al-Mg-Mn-Zr-Er alloy

Based on the Miedema model and Extended Miedema theory,the formation energies of different solute components in Er-X binary system and Al-Er-X ternary systems were calculated.The results show that the variation of erbium content has little influence on the chance rate of the formation Al-Er compound in the Al-Mg-Mn-Zr-Er system.The calculated formation energies in the Er-X binary system and Al-Er-X ternary systems indicate that Al3Er phase can take priority of depositing,Al-Er-Zr ternary compounds may also found which agrees with the experimental results in references.The consistency of calculation and experiment proves that the intermetallic compounds in the Al-Mg-Mn-Zr-Er system can be predicted directly by calculating the formation energies of the reactions in Er-X binary system and Al-Er-X ternary systems with the Miedema model and Extended Miedema theory.

Experimental Investigation on the Pressure Propagation Mechanism of Tight Reservoirs

Low permeability tight sandstone reservoirs have a high filtrational resistance and a very low fluid flow rate.As a result,the propagation speed of the formation pressure is low and fluid flow behaves as a non-Darcy flow,which typically displays a highly non-linear behavior.In this paper,the characteristics and mechanism of pressure propagation in this kind of reservoir are revealed through a laboratory pressure propagation experiment and through data from an actual tight reservoir development.The main performance mechanism is as follows:A new pressure cage concept is proposed based on the pressure variation characteristics of the laboratory experiments.There are two methods of energy propagation in the actual water injection process:one is that energy is transmitted to the deep reservoir by the fluid flowing through the reservoir,and the other is that energy is transmitted by the elasticity of the reservoir.For one injection well model and one production well model,the pressure distribution curve between the injection and production wells,as calculated by the theoretical method,has three section types,and they show an oblique“S”shape with a straight middle section.However,the actual pressure distribution curve is nonlinear,with an obvious pressure advance at the front.After the injection pressure increases to a certain level,the curve shape is an oblique and reversed“S”shape.Based on the research,this paper explains the deep-seated reasons for the difference in pressure distribution and proposes that it is an effective way to develop low permeability tight reservoirs using the water injection supplement energy method.