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| 2. |
- Belonoshko, Anatoly, et al.
(författare)
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Elastic properties of body-centered cubic iron in Earth's inner core
- 2022
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Ingår i: Physical Review B. - : American Physical Society (APS). - 2469-9950 .- 2469-9969. ; 105:18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The solid Earth's inner core (IC) is a sphere with a radius of about 1300 km in the center of the Earth. The information about the IC comes mainly from seismic studies. The composition of the IC is obtained by matching the seismic data and properties of candidate phases subjected to high pressure (P) and temperature (T). The close match between the density of the IC and iron suggests that the main constituent of the IC is iron. However, the stable phase of iron is still a subject of debate. One such iron phase, the body-centered cubic phase (bcc), is dynamically unstable at pressures of the IC (330-364 GPa) and low T but gets stabilized at high T characteristic of the IC (5000-7000 K). So far, ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) studies attempted to compute the bcc elastic properties for a small (order of 102) number of atoms. The mechanism of the bcc stabilization cannot be enabled in such cells and that has led to erroneous results. Here we apply AIMD to compute elastic moduli and sound velocities of the Fe bcc phase for a 2000 Fe atom computational cell, which is a cell of unprecedented size for ab initio calculations of iron. Unlike in previous ab initio calculations, both the longitudinal and the shear sound velocities of the Fe bcc phase closely match the properties of the IC material at P = 360 GPa and T = 6600 K, likely the PT conditions in the IC. The calculated density of the bcc iron at these PT conditions is just 3% higher than the density of the IC material according to the Preliminary Earth Model. This suggests that the widely assumed amount of light elements in the IC may need a reconsideration. The anisotropy of the bcc phase is an exact match to the most recent seismic studies.
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| 4. |
- Burakovsky, Leonid, et al.
(författare)
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Systematics of the Third Row Transition Metal Melting: The HCP Metals Rhenium and Osmium
- 2018
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Ingår i: Crystals. - : MDPI. - 2073-4352. ; 8:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The melting curves of rhenium and osmium to megabar pressures are obtained from an extensive suite of ab initio quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) simulations using the Z method. In addition, for Re, we combine QMD simulations with total free energy calculations to obtain its phase diagram. Our results indicate that Re, which generally assumes a hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structure, melts from a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure in the pressure range 20-240 GPa. We conclude that the recent DAC data on Re to 50 GPa in fact encompass both the true melting curve and the low-slope hcp-fcc phase boundary above a triple point at (20 GPa, 4240 K). A linear fit to the Re diamond anvil cell (DAC) data then results in a slope that is 2.3 times smaller than that of the actual melting curve. The phase diagram of Re is topologically equivalent to that of Pt calculated by us earlier on. Regularities in the melting curves of Re, Os, and five other 3rd-row transition metals (Ta, W, Ir, Pt, Au) form the 3rd-row transition metal melting systematics. We demonstrate how this systematics can be used to estimate the currently unknown melting curve of the eighth 3rd-row transition metal Hf.
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| 5. |
- Eklöf, Daniel, et al.
(författare)
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Mysterious SiB3 : Identifying the Relation between α- and β-SiB3
- 2019
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Ingår i: ACS Omega. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2470-1343. ; 4:20, s. 18741-18759
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Binary silicon boride SiB3 has been reported to occur in two forms, as disordered and nonstoichiometric alpha-SiB3-x, which relates to the alpha-rhombohedral phase of boron, and as strictly ordered and stoichiometric beta-SiB3. Similar to other boron-rich icosahedral solids, these SiB3 phases represent potentially interesting refractory materials. However, their thermal stability, formation conditions, and thermodynamic relation are poorly understood. Here, we map the formation conditions of alpha-SiB3-x and beta-SiB3 and analyze their relative thermodynamic stabilities. alpha-SiB3-x is metastable (with respect to beta-SiB3 and Si), and its formation is kinetically driven. Pure polycrystalline bulk samples may be obtained within hours when heating stoichiometric mixtures of elemental silicon and boron at temperatures 1200-1300 degrees C. At the same time, alpha-SiB3-x decomposes into SiB6 and Si, and optimum time-temperature synthesis conditions represent a trade-off between rates of formation and decomposition. The formation of stable beta-SiB3 was observed after prolonged treatment (days to weeks) of elemental mixtures with ratios Si/B = 1:11:4 at temperatures 1175-1200 degrees C. The application of high pressures greatly improves the kinetics of SiB3 formation and allows decoupling of SiB3 formation from decomposition. Quantitative formation of beta-SiB3 was seen at 1100 degrees C for samples pressurized to 5.5-8 GPa. beta-SiB3 decomposes peritectoidally at temperatures between 1250 and 1300 degrees C. The highly ordered nature of beta-SiB3 is reflected in its Raman spectrum, which features narrow and distinct lines. In contrast, the Raman spectrum of alpha-SiB3-x is characterized by broad bands, which show a clear relation to the vibrational modes of isostructural, ordered B6P. The detailed composition and structural properties of disordered alpha-SiB3-x were ascertained by a combination of single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Si-29 magic angle spinning NMR experiments. Notably, the compositions of polycrystalline bulk samples (obtained at T <= 1200 degrees C) and single crystal samples (obtained from Si-rich molten Si-B mixtures at T > 1400 degrees C) are different, SiB2.93(7) and SiB2.64(2), respectively. The incorporation of Si in the polar position of B-12 icosahedra results in highly strained cluster units. This disorder feature was accounted for in the refined crystal structure model by splitting the polar position into three sites. The electron-precise composition of alpha-SiB3-x is SiB2.5 and corresponds to the incorporation of, on average, two Si atoms in each B-12 icosahedron. Accordingly, alpha-SiB3-x constitutes a mixture of B10Si2 and B11Si clusters. The structural and phase stability of alpha-SiB3-x were explored using a first-principles cluster expansion. The most stable composition at 0 K is SiB2.5, which however is unstable with respect to the decomposition beta-SiB3 + Si. Modeling of the configurational and vibrational entropies suggests that alpha-SiB3-x only becomes more stable than beta-SiB3 at temperatures above its decomposition into SiB6 and Si. Hence, we conclude that alpha-SiB3-x is metastable at all temperatures. Density functional theory electronic structure calculations yield band gaps of similar size for electron-precise alpha-SiB2.5 and beta-SiB3, whereas alpha-SiB3 represents a p-type conductor.
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| 6. |
- Ektarawong, Annop
(författare)
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First-principles study of configurational disorder in icosahedral boron-rich solids
- 2015
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis is a theoretical study of configurationally disordered icosahedral boronrich solids, in particular boron carbides, using density functional theory and alloy theory. The goal is to resolve discrepancies, regarding the properties of boron carbides, between experiments and previous theoretical calculations which have been a controversial issue in the field of icosahedral boron-rich solids. For instance, B13C2 is observed experimentally to be a semiconductor, meanwhile electronic band structure calculations reveal a metallic character of B13C2 due to its electron deficiency. In B4C, on the other hand, the experimentally observed band gap is unexpectedly smaller, not the usual larger, than that of standard DFT calculations. Another example is given by the existence of a small structural distortion in B4C, as predicted in theoretical calculations, which reduces the crystal symmetry from the experimentally observed rhombohedral (R3m) to the based-centered monoclinic (Cm). Since boron carbide is stable as a single-phase over a broad composition range (~8-20 at.% C), substitution of boron and carbon atoms for one another is conceivable. For this reason, the discrepancies have been speculated in the literature, without a proof, to originate from configurational disorder induced by substitutional defects. However, owing to its complex atomic structure, represented by 12-atom icosahedra and 3-atom intericosahedral chains, a practical alloy theory method for direct calculations of the properties of the relevant configurations of disordered boron carbides, as well as for a thermodynamic assessment of their stability has been missing.In this thesis, a new approach, the superatom-special quasirandom structure (SA-SQS), has been developed. The approach allows one to model configurational disorder in boron carbide, induced by high concentrations of low-energy B/C substitutional defects. B13C2 and B4C are the two stoichiometries, mainly considered in this study, as they are of particular importance and have been in focus in the literature. The results demonstrate that, from thermodynamic considerations, both B13C2 and B4C configurationally disorder at high temperature. In the case of B13C2, the configurational disorder splits off some valence states into the band gap that in turn compensates the electron deficiency in ordered B13C2, thus resulting in a semiconducting character. As for B4C, the configurational disorder eliminates the monoclinic distortion, thus resulting in the restoration of the higher rhombohedral symmetry. Configurational disorder can also account for an excel lent agreement on elastic moduli of boron carbide between theory and experiment. Thus, several of the previous discrepancies between theory and experiments are resolved.Inspired by attempts to enhance the mechanical properties of boron suboxide by fabricating boron suboxide-boron carbide composites, as recently suggested in the literature, the SA-SQS approach is used for modeling mixtures of boron suboxide (B6O) and boron carbide (B13C2), denoted by pseudo-binary (B6O)1–x(B13C2)x alloys. The knowledge of configurational disorder, gained from the previous studies of boron carbide, is applied to model the mixing alloys. By investigating the thermodynamics of mixing between B6O and B13C2, the phase diagram of the (B6O)1–x(B13C2)x alloys is outlined and it reveals the existence of a miscibility gap at all temperatures up to the melting point, indicating the coexistence of B6O-rich and either ordered or disordered B13C2-rich domains in (B6O)1–x(B13C2)x alloys under equilibrium condition. However, a limited intermixing of B6O and B13C2 to form solid solutions at high temperature is predicted, e.g. a solid solution of ~5% B13C2 in B6O and ~20% B6O in B13C2 at 2000 K.
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| 7. |
- Ghorai, Sagar, et al.
(författare)
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Giant magnetocaloric effect in the (Mn,Fe)NiSi-system
- 2023
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The search for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly cooling technologies is a key driver for the development of magnetic refrigeration based on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE). This phenomenon arises from the interplay between magnetic and lattice degrees of freedom that is strong in certain materials, leading to a change in temperature upon application or removal of a magnetic field. Here we report on a new material, Mn1−xFexNiSi0.95Al0.05, with an exceptionally large isothermal entropy at room temperature. By combining experimental and theoretical methods we outline the microscopic mechanism behind the large MCE in this material. It is demonstrated that the competition between the Ni2In-type hexagonal phase and the MnNiSi-type orthorhombic phase, that coexist in this system, combined with the distinctly different magnetic properties of these phases, is a key parameter for the functionality of this material for magnetic cooling.
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| 8. |
- Gordeeva, Alisa, et al.
(författare)
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Layered Zinc Hydroxide Dihydrate, Zn5(OH)10·2H2O, from Hydrothermal Conversion of ε-Zn(OH)2 at Gigapascal Pressures and its Transformation to Nanocrystalline ZnO
- 2020
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Ingår i: ACS Omega. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2470-1343. ; 5:28, s. 17617-17627
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Layered zinc hydroxides (LZHs) with the general formula (Zn2+)x(OH–)2x−my(Am–)y·nH2O (Am– = Cl–, NO3–, ac–, SO42–, etc) are considered as useful precursors for the fabrication of functional ZnO nanostructures. Here, we report the synthesis and structure characterization of the hitherto unknown “binary” representative of the LZH compound family, Zn5(OH)10·2H2O, with Am– = OH–, x = 5, y = 2, and n = 2. Zn5(OH)10·2H2O was afforded quantitatively by pressurizing mixtures of ε-Zn(OH)2 (wulfingite) and water to 1–2 GPa and applying slightly elevated temperatures, 100–200 °C. The monoclinic crystal structure was characterized from powder X-ray diffraction data (space group C2/c, a = 15.342(7) Å, b = 6.244(6) Å, c = 10.989(7) Å, β = 100.86(1)°). It features neutral zinc hydroxide layers, composed of octahedrally and tetrahedrally coordinated Zn ions with a 3:2 ratio, in which H2O is intercalated. The interlayer d(200) distance is 7.53 Å. The H-bond structure of Zn5(OH)10·2H2O was analyzed by a combination of infrared/Raman spectroscopy, computational modeling, and neutron powder diffraction. Interlayer H2O molecules are strongly H-bonded to five surrounding OH groups and appear orientationally disordered. The decomposition of Zn5(OH)10·2H2O, which occurs thermally between 70 and 100 °C, was followed in an in situ transmission electron microscopy study and ex situ annealing experiments. It yields initially 5–15 nm sized hexagonal w-ZnO crystals, which, depending on the conditions, may intergrow to several hundred nm-large two-dimensional, flakelike crystals within the boundary of original Zn5(OH)10·2H2O particles.
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| 9. |
- Ji, Fuxiang, 1991-, et al.
(författare)
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Remarkable Thermochromism in the Double Perovskite Cs2NaFeCl6
- 2024
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Ingår i: Advanced Optical Materials. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2162-7568 .- 2195-1071. ; 12:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Lead-free halide double perovskites (HDPs) have emerged as a new generation of thermochromic materials. However, further materials development and mechanistic understanding are required. Here, a highly stable HDP Cs2NaFeCl6 single crystal is synthesized, and its remarkable and fully reversible thermochromism with a wide color variation from light-yellow to black over a temperature range of 10 to 423 K is investigated. First-principles, density functional theory (DFT)-based calculations indicate that the thermochromism in Cs2NaFeCl6 is an effect of electron-phonon coupling. The temperature sensitivity of the bandgap in Cs2NaFeCl6 is up to 2.52 meVK(-1) based on the Varshni equation, which is significantly higher than that of lead halide perovskites and many conventional group-IV, III-V semiconductors. Meanwhile, this material shows excellent environmental, thermal, and thermochromic cycle stability. This work provides valuable insights into HDPs' thermochromism and sheds new light on developing efficient thermochromic materials.
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| 10. |
- Kerdsongpanya, Sit, et al.
(författare)
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Phonon Thermal Conductivity of Scandium Nitride for Thermoelectric Applications from First-Principles Calculations
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The knowledge of lattice thermal conductivity of materials under realistic conditions is vitally important since most technologies either require either high or low thermal conductivity. Here, we propose a theoretical model for determining lattice thermal conductivity with the effect of microstructure. This is based on ab initio description that includes the temperature dependence of the interatomic force constants, and treats anharmonic lattice vibrations. We choose ScN as a model system, comparing the computational predictions with the experimental data by Time Domain Thermoreflectance (TDTR). Our results show a trend of reduction in lattice thermal conductivity with decreasing grain size, with good agreement between the theoretical model and experimental data. There results suggest a possibility to control thermal conductivity by tailoring the microstructure of ScN. More importantly, we provide a predictive tool for the effect of the microstructure on the lattice thermal conductivity of materials based on first-principles calculations.
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