High-throughput calculation-based rational design of Fe-doped MoS_(2) nanosheets for electrocatalytic p H-universal overall water splitting

Electrocatalytic water splitting is crucial for H2generation via hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)but subject to the sluggish dynamics of oxygen evolution reaction(OER).In this work,single Fe atomdoped MoS_(2)nanosheets(SFe-DMNs)were prepared based on the high-throughput density functional theory(DFT)calculation screening.Due to the synergistic effect between Fe atom and MoS_(2)and optimized intermediate binding energy,the SFe-DMNs could deliver outstanding activity for both HER and OER.When assembled into a two-electrode electrolytic cell,the SFe-DMNs could achieve the current density of 50 mA cm^(-2)at a low cell voltage of 1.55 V under neutral condition.These results not only confirmed the effectiveness of high-throughput screening,but also revealed the excellent activity and thus the potential applications in fuel cells of SFe-DMNs.

Alternating spin splitting of electronic and magnon bands in two-dimensional altermagnetic materials

Unconventional antiferromagnetism dubbed as altermagnetism was first discovered in rutile structured magnets,which is featured by spin splitting even without the spin–orbital coupling effect.This interesting phenomenon has been discovered in more altermagnetic materials.In this work,we explore two-dimensional altermagnetic materials by studying two series of two-dimensional magnets,including MF4 with M covering all 3d and 4d transition metal elements,as well as TS2 with T=V,Cr,Mn,Fe.Through the magnetic symmetry operation of RuF4 and MnS2,it is verified that breaking the time inversion is a necessary condition for spin splitting.Based on symmetry analysis and first-principles calculations,we find that the electronic bands and magnon dispersion experience alternating spin splitting along the same path.This work paves the way for exploring altermagnetism in two-dimensional materials.

Dielectric constant predictions for energetic materials using quantum calculations

The dielectric constant(DC)is one of the key properties for detection of threat materials such as Improvised Explosive Devices(IEDs).In the present paper,the density functional theory(DFT)as well as ab-initio approaches are used to explore effective methods to predict dielectric constants of a series of 12 energetic materials(EMs)for which experimental data needed to experimentally determine the dielectric constant(refractive indices)are available.These include military grades energetic materials,nitro and peroxide compounds,and the widely used nitroglycerin.Ab-initio and DFT calculations are conducted.In order to calculate dielectric constant values of materials,potential DFT functional combined with basis sets are considered for testing.Accuracy of the calculations are compared to experimental data listed in the scientific literature,and time required for calculations are both evaluated and discussed.The best functional/basis set combinations among those tested are CAM-B3LYP and AUG-ccpVDZm,which provide great results,with accuracy deviations below 5%when calculated results are compared to experimental data.

Structural predictions based on the compositions of cathodic materials by first-principles calculations

A first-principles method is applied to comparatively study the stability of lithium metal oxides with layered or spinel structures to predict the most energetically favorable structure for different compositions. The binding and reaction energies of the real or virtual layered LiM02 and spinel LiM204 （M = Sc42u, Y-Ag, Mg-Sr, and Al-In） are calculated. The effect of element M on the structural stability, espe- cially in the case of multiple-cation compounds, is discussed herein. The calculation results indicate that the phase stability depends on both the binding and reaction energies. The oxidation state of element M also plays a role in determining the dominant structure, i.e., layered or spinel phase. Moreover, calculation-based theoretical predictions of the phase stability of the doped materials agree with the previously re- ported experimental data.

Calculation of the Composition Profile of a Functionally Graded Material Produced by Co-sedimentation

A sedimentation method is proposed to fabricate functionally graded materials (FGMs) with the continuous andsmooth variations of composition. The relations between the compositional distribution of deposited body and thepowder characteristics of raw materials as well as settling parameters are derived. Subsequently, the mathematicalmodel of forming FGM based on the co-sedimentation has been established. At last, numerical simulations areconducted to explore the effects of the particle sizes of raw materials and suspension height on the compositionaldistribution of final products.

Application of phase diagram calculations to development of new ultra-high temperature structural materials

In-situ refractory metal intermetallic composites(RMICs) based either on (Nb, Si) or (Mo, Si, B) are candidate materials for ultra-high temperature applications (>1400 ℃). To provide a balance of mechanical and environmental properties, Nb-Si composites are typically alloyed with Ti and Cr, and Mo-Si-B composites are alloyed with Ti. Phase diagrams of Nb-Cr-Ti-Si and Mo-Si-B-Ti, as prerequisite knowledge for advanced materials design and processing development, are critically needed. The phase diagrams in the metal-rich regions of multicomponent Nb-Cr-Ti-Si and Mo-Si-B-Ti were rapidly established using the Calphad (Calculation of phase diagram) approach coupled with key experiments. The calculated isotherms, isopleths, and solidification paths were validated by experimental work. The important heterogeneous multiphase equilibria in both quaternary systems identified will offer engineers the opportunity to develop materials with a balance of properties for high-temperature applications.

Forecast of Piezoelectric Properties of Crystalline Materials from First Principle Calculation

Piezo crystals including quartz, quartz-like crystals, known and novel crystals of langasite-type structure were treated with density-functional perturb theory (DFPT) using plane-wave pseudopotentials method, within the local density approximation (LDA) to the exchange-correlation functional. Compared with experimental results, the ab initio calculation results have quantitative or semi-quantitative accuracy. It is shown that first principle calculation opens a door to the search and design of new piezoelectric material. Further application of first principle calculation to forecast the whole piezoelectric properties was also discussed.

Theoretical design of multifunctional half-Heusler materials based on first-principles calculations

The family of ABX half-Heusler materials, also called filled-tetrahedral structures, is a special class of ternary compounds hosting a variety of material functionalities including thermoelectricity, topological insulation, magnetism, transparent conductivity and superconductivity. This class of compounds can be derived from two substitution approaches, i.e.,from Heusler materials by removing a portion of atoms forming ordered vacancies thus becoming half-Heusler, or from tetrahedral zinc blende compounds by adding atoms on the interstitial sites thus become filled-tetrahedral structures. In this paper, we briefly review the substitution approaches for material design along with their application in the design of half-Heusler compounds; then we will review the high-throughput search of new half-Heusler filled-tetrahedral structures and the study of their physical properties and functionalities.

Surface-regulated triangular borophene as Dirac-like materials from density functional calculation investigation

By applying the first principles calculations combined with density functional theory (DFT), this study explored the optical properties, electronic structure, and structure stability of triangular borophene decorated chemically, B3X (X=F, Cl) in a systematical manner. As revealed from the results of formation energy, phonon dispersion, and molecular dynamics simulation study, all the borophene decorated chemically were superior and able to be fabricated. In the present study, triangular borophene was reported to be converted into Dirac-like materials when functionalized by F and Cl exhibiting narrow direct band gaps as 0.19 eV and 0.17 eV, separately. Significant light absorption was assessed in the visible light and ultraviolet region. According the mentioned findings, these two-dimensional (2D) materials show large and wide promising applications for future nanoelectronics and optoelectronics.

Calculating Method for Influence of Material Flow on Energy Consumption in Steel Manufacturing Process

From the viewpoint of systems energy conservation, the influences of material flow on its energy consumption in a steel manufacturing process is an important subject. The quantitative analysis of the relationship between material flow and the energy intensity is useful to save energy in steel industry. Based on the concept of standard material flow diagram, all possible situations of ferric material flow in steel manufacturing process are analyzed. The expressions of the influence of material flow deviated from standard material flow diagram on energy consumption are put forward.

Machine Learning-Assisted High-Throughput Virtual Screening for On-Demand Customization of Advanced Energetic Materials

Finding energetic materials with tailored properties is always a significant challenge due to low research efficiency in trial and error.Herein,a methodology combining domain knowledge,a machine learning algorithm,and experiments is presented for accelerating the discovery of novel energetic materials.A high-throughput virtual screening(HTVS)system integrating on-demand molecular generation and machine learning models covering the prediction of molecular properties and crystal packing mode scoring is established.With the proposed HTVS system,candidate molecules with promising properties and a desirable crystal packing mode are rapidly targeted from the generated molecular space containing 25112 molecules.Furthermore,a study of the crystal structure and properties shows that the good comprehensive performances of the target molecule are in agreement with the predicted results,thus verifying the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.This work demonstrates a new research paradigm for discovering novel energetic materials and can be extended to other organic materials without manifest obstacles.

MatCloud, a high-throughput computational materials infrastructure： Present, future visions, and challenges

MatCloud provides a high-throughput computational materials infrastructure for the integrated management of materials simulation, data, and computing resources. In comparison to AFLOW, Material Project, and NoMad, MatCloud delivers two-fold functionalities： a computational materials platform where users can do on-line job setup, job submission and monitoring only via Web browser, and a materials properties simulation database. It is developed under Chinese Materials Genome Initiative and is a China own proprietary high-throughput computational materials infrastructure. MatCloud has been on line for about one year, receiving considerable registered users, feedbacks, and encouragements. Many users provided valuable input and requirements to MatCloud. In this paper, we describe the present MatCloud, future visions, and major challenges. Based on what we have achieved, we will endeavour to further develop MatCloud in an open and collaborative manner and make MatCloud a world known China-developed novel software in the pressing area of high-throughput materials calculations and materials properties simulation database within Material Genome Initiative.

High-throughput identification of one-dimensional atomic wires and first principles calculations of their electronic states

Low dimensional materials are suitable candidates applying in next-generation high-performance electronic,optoelectronic,and energy storage devices because of their uniquely physical and chemical properties.In particular,one-dimensional(1D)atomic wires(AWs)exfoliating from 1D van der Waals(vdW)bulks are more promising in next generation nanometer(nm)even sub-nm device applications owing to their width of few-atoms scale and free dandling bonds states.Although several 1D AWs have been experimentally prepared,few 1D AW candidates could be practically applied in devices owing to lack of enough suitable 1D AWs.Herein,367 kinds of 1D AWs have been screened and the corresponding computational database including structures,electronic structures,magnetic states,and stabilities of these 1D AWs has been organized and established.Among these systems,unary and binary 1D AWs with relatively small exfoliation energy are thermodynamically stable and theoretically feasible to be exfoliated.More significantly,rich quantum states emerge,such as 1D semiconductors,1D metals,1D semimetals,and 1D magnetism.This database will offer an ideal platform to further explore exotic quantum states and exploit practical device applications using 1D materials.The database are openly available at http://www.dx.doi.org/10.11922/sciencedb.j00113.00004.

High-throughput theoretical design of lithium battery materials

The rapid evolution of high-throughput theoretical design schemes to discover new lithium battery materials is re- viewed, including fiigh-capacity cathodes, low-strain cathodes, anodes, solid state eleclrolytes, and electrolyte additives. With tfie development of efficient theoretical methods and inexpensive computers, high-throughput theoretical calculations have played an increasingly important role in the discovery of new malerials. With the help of automatic simnlation flow, many types of materials can be screened, optimized and designed from a structural database according to specific search criteria. In advanced cell technology, new materials for next generation lithium batteries are of great significance to achieve perlbmmnce, and some representative criteria are： higher energy density, better safety, and faster charge/discharge speed.

Defective layered Mn-based cathode materials with excellent performance via ion exchange for Li-ion batteries

Defective layered Mn-based materials were synthesized by Li/Na ion exchange to improve their electrochemical activity and Coulombic efficiency.The annealing temperature of the Na precursors was important to control the P3-P2 phase transition,which directly affected the structure and electrochemical characteristics of the final products obtained by ion exchange.The O3-Li_(0.78)[Li_(0.25)Fe_(0.075)Mn_(0.675)]O_(δ) cathode made from a P3-type precursor calcined at 700℃ was analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectrometry and electron paramagnetic resonance.The results showed that the presence of abundant trivalent manganese and defects resulted in a discharge capacity of 230 mAh/g with an initial Coulombic efficiency of about 109%.Afterward,galvanostatic intermittent titration was performed to examine the Li^(+) ion diffusion coefficients,which affected the reversible capacity.First principles calculations suggested that the charge redistribution induced by oxygen vacancies(OV_(s))greatly affected the local Mn coordination environment and enhanced the structural activity.Moreover,the Li-deficient cathode was a perfect match for the pre-lithiation anode,providing a novel approach to improve the initial Coulombic efficiency and activity of Mn-based materials in the commercial application.

New carbon-nitrogen-oxygen compounds as high energy density materials

Molecular crystals are complex systems exhibiting various crystal structures,and accurately modeling the crystal structures is essential for understanding their physical behaviors under high pressure.Here,we perform an extensive structure search of ternary carbon-nitrogen-oxygen(CNO)compound under high pressure with the CALYPSO method and first principles calculations,and successfully identify three polymeric CNO compounds with Pbam,C2/m and I4m2symmetries under 100 GPa.More interestingly,these structures are also dynamically stable at ambient pressure,and are potential high energy density materials(HEDMs).The energy densities of Pbam,C2/m and I4m2 phases of CNO are about2.30 kJ/g,1.37 kJ/g and 2.70 kJ/g,respectively,with the decompositions of graphitic carbon and molecular carbon dioxide andα-N(molecular N_(2))at ambient pressure.The present results provide in-depth insights into the structural evolution and physical properties of CNO compounds under high pressures,which offer crucial insights for designs and syntheses of novel HEDMs.

Discovery and design of lithium battery materials via high-throughput modeling

This paper reviews the rapid progress in the field of high-throughput modeling based on the Materials Genome Initiative, and its application in the discovery and design of lithium battery materials. It offers examples of screening, optimization and design of electrodes, electrolytes, coatings, additives, etc. and the possibility of introducing the machine learning method into material design. The application of the material genome method in the development of lithium battery materials provides the possibility to speed up the upgrading of new candidates in the discovery of lots of functional materials.

High-throughput computational screening and design of nanoporous materials for methane storage and carbon dioxide capture

The globally increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in atmosphere after combustion of coal-or petroleum-based fuels give rise to tremendous interest in searching for porous materials to efficiently capture carbon dioxide(CO_2) and store methane(CH4), where the latter is a kind of clean energy source with abundant reserves and lower CO_2 emission. Hundreds of thousands of porous materials can be enrolled on the candidate list, but how to quickly identify the really promising ones, or even evolve materials(namely, rational design high-performing candidates) based on the large database of present porous materials? In this context, high-throughput computational techniques, which have emerged in the past few years as powerful tools, make the targets of fast evaluation of adsorbents and evolving materials for CO_2 capture and CH_4 storage feasible. This review provides an overview of the recent computational efforts on such related topics and discusses the further development in this field.

Screening of low-friction two-dimensional materials from highthroughput calculations using lubricating figure of merit

Two-dimensional materials are excellent lubricants with inherent advantages.However,superlubricity has been reported for only a few of these materials.Unfortunately,other promising two-dimentional(2D)materials with different physical properties cannot be discovered or applied in production;thus,energy consumption can be greatly reduced.Here,we carry out high-throughput calculations for 1,4752D materials and screen for low-friction materials.To set a standard,we propose,for the first time,a geometry-independent lubricating figure of merit based on the conditions for stick-slip transition and our theory of Moiréfriction.For the efficient calculation of this figure of merit,an innovative approach was developed based on an improved registry index model.Through calculations,340 materials were found to have a figure of merit lower than 10−3.Eventually,a small set of 21 materials with a figure of merit lower than 10−4 were screened out.These materials can provide diverse choices for various applications.In addition,the efficient computational approach demonstrated in this work can be used to study other stacking-dependent properties.

Designing solar-cell absorber materials through computational high-throughput screening

Although the efficiency of CH3 NH3 PI3 has been refreshed to 25.2%,stability and toxicity remain the main challenges for its applications.The search for novel solar-cell absorbers that are highly stable,non-toxic,inexpensive,and highly efficient is now a viable research focus.In this review,we summarize our recent research into the high-throughput screening and materials design of solar-cell absorbers,including single perovskites,double perovskites,and materials beyond Perovskites.BazrS3(single perovskite),Ba2 BiNbS6(double perovskite),HgAl2 Se4(spinel),and IrSb3(skutterudite)were discovered to be potential candidates in terms of their high stabilities,appropriate bandgaps,small carrier effective masses,and strong optical absorption.