A. K. M. A. Islam

Ab initio investigation of elastic constants of superconducting MgB2

Abstract The five different elastic constants of the new superconducting MgB 2 are calculated by ab initio method using a density functional theory Hamiltonian with both correlation and exchange potentials. The results are compared with those from a recent FPLMTO calculation. The fully relaxed and isotropic bulk moduli were also estimated and the implication of their comparison is made, e.g., MgB 2 is less anisotropic than one would otherwise suppose on the basis of its `planar crystal structure.

Superconducting Double Perovskite Bismuth Oxide Prepared by a Low‐Temperature Hydrothermal Reaction

Perovskite-type structures (ABO3) have received significant attention because of their crystallographic aspects and physical properties, but there has been no clear evidence of a superconductor with a double-perovskite-type structure, whose different elements occupy A and/or B sites in ordered ways. In this report, hydrothermal synthesis at 220u2005°C produced a new superconductor with an A-site-ordered double perovskite structure, (Na(0.25)K(0.45))(Ba(1.00))3(Bi(1.00))4O12, with a maximum T(c) of about 27u2005K.

Zirconium metal-based MAX phases Zr2AC (A = Al, Si, P and S): A first-principles study

We have investigated theoretical Vickers hardness, thermodynamic and optical properties of four zirconium metal-based MAX phases Zr 2 AC (A = Al , Si , P and S ) for the first time in addition to revisiting the structural, elastic and electronic properties. First-principles calculations are employed based on density functional theory (DFT) by means of the plane-wave pseudopotential method. The theoretical Vickers hardness has been estimated via the calculation of Mulliken bond populations and electronic density of states. The thermodynamic properties such as the temperature and pressure dependent bulk modulus, Debye temperature, specific heats and volume thermal expansion coefficient of all the compounds are derived from the quasi-harmonic Debye model. Further, the optical properties, e.g., dielectric functions, indices of refraction, absorption, energy loss function, reflectivity and optical conductivity of the nanolaminates have been calculated. The results are compared with available experiments and their various implications are discussed in detail. We have also shed light on the effect of different properties of Zr 2 AC as the A-group atom moves from Al to S across the periodic table.

Phase stability, elastic, electronic, thermal and optical properties of Ti3Al1−xSixC2 (0≤x≤1): First principle study

The structural parameters with stability upon Si incorporation and elastic, electronic, thermodynamic and optical properties of Ti3Al1� xSixC2 (0rxr 1) are investigated systematically by the plane wave pseudopotential method based on the density functional theory (DFT). The increase of some elastic parameters with increasing Si-content renders the alloys to possess higher compressive and tensile strength. The Vickers hardness value obtained with the help of Mulliken population analysis increases as x is increased from 0 to 1. The solid solutions considered are all metallic with valence and conduction bands, which have a mainly Ti 3d character, crossing the Fermi level. The temperature and pressure dependences of bulk modulus, normalized volume, specific heats, thermal expansion coefficient, and Debye temperature are all obtained through the quasi-harmonic Debye model with phononic effects for T¼ 0 � 1000 K and P¼ 0 � 50 GPa. The obtained results are compared with other results available. Further an analysis of optical functions for two polarization vectors reveals that the reflectivity is high in the visible–ultraviolet region up to � 10.5 eV region showing promise as a good coating material. & 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Newly synthesized Zr2AlC, Zr2(Al0.58Bi0.42)C, Zr2(Al0.2Sn0.8)C, and Zr2(Al0.3Sb0.7)C MAX phases: A DFT based first-principles study

The structural, elastic, and electronic properties of newly synthesized Zr2(Al0.58Bi0.42)C, Zr2(Al0.2Sn0.8)C, and Zr2(Al0.3Sb0.7)C MAX nanolaminates have been studied using first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations for the first time. Theoretical Vickers hardness has also been estimated for these compounds. All the calculated results are compared with experimental data and also with that of recently discovered Zr2AlC phase, where available. Zr2(Al0.58Bi0.42)C and Zr2(Al0.2Sn0.8)C are the two first Bi and Sn containing MAX compounds. The calculated structural parameters are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. The single crystal elastic constants Cij and other polycrystalline elastic coefficients have been calculated and the mechanical stabilities of these compounds have been theoretically confirmed. The bulk modulus increases and the shear modulus decreases due to partial Bi/Sn/Sb substitution for Al in Zr2AlC. The calculated elastic moduli show that these Bi/Sn/Sb containing MAX phases are more anisotropic than Zr2AlC, and have a tendency towards ductility. The Vickers hardness decreases in the Bi/Sn/Sb containing compounds. Further, the electronic band structures and electronic density of states (EDOS) are calculated and the effects of different elemental substitution on these properties are investigated. The electronic band structures show metallic characteristics with contribution predominantly coming from the Zr 4d orbitals. Partial presence of Bi/Sn/Sb atoms increases the EDOS at the Fermi level to some extent. Possible implications of the theoretical results for these recently discovered MAX nanolaminates have been discussed in detail in this paper.

Mechanical behaviour of AgB2 in comparison to MgB2––a first principle study

Abstract The mechanical behaviour of the noble metal diboride AgB 2 , a hole doped system and a potential candidate for superconductor, is studied as a function of pressure in comparison to the medium- T c MgB 2 superconductor. Both these compounds are characterized by moderately large anisotropy of compressibility. The bulk-modulus, pressure derivative of bulk modulus and their in- and out-of-plane linear values show clearly the diversity in bonding interactions present in both the compounds. The volume coefficient of T c of MgB 2 is twice that for AgB 2 which shows increased sensitivity of superconducting properties of MgB 2 to the interatomic distances. AgB 2 is found to be a much more tightly-packed incompressible material compared to MgB 2 . The pressure effect can influence the electronic band in different directions of Brillouin zone and hence physical properties.

Newly synthesized Zr2(Al0.58Bi0.42)C, Zr2(Al0.2Sn0.8)C, and Zr2(Al0.3Sb0.7)C MAX phases: A first-principles study

The structural, elastic, and electronic properties of newly synthesized Zr2(Al0.58Bi0.42)C, Zr2(Al0.2Sn0.8)C, and Zr2(Al0.3Sb0.7)C MAX nanolaminates have been studied using first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations for the first time. Theoretical Vickers hardness has also been estimated for these compounds. All the calculated results are compared with experimental data and also with that of recently discovered Zr2AlC phase, where available. Zr2(Al0.58Bi0.42)C and Zr2(Al0.2Sn0.8)C are the two first Bi and Sn containing MAX compounds. The calculated structural parameters are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. The single crystal elastic constants Cij and other polycrystalline elastic coefficients have been calculated and the mechanical stabilities of these compounds have been theoretically confirmed. The bulk modulus increases and the shear modulus decreases due to partial Bi/Sn/Sb substitution for Al in Zr2AlC. The calculated elastic moduli show that these Bi/Sn/Sb containing MAX phases are more anisotropic than Zr2AlC, and have a tendency towards ductility. The Vickers hardness decreases in the Bi/Sn/Sb containing compounds. Further, the electronic band structures and electronic density of states (EDOS) are calculated and the effects of different elemental substitution on these properties are investigated. The electronic band structures show metallic characteristics with contribution predominantly coming from the Zr 4d orbitals. Partial presence of Bi/Sn/Sb atoms increases the EDOS at the Fermi level to some extent. Possible implications of the theoretical results for these recently discovered MAX nanolaminates have been discussed in detail in this paper.

Elastic, electronic, and optical properties of hypothetical SnNNi3 and CuNNi3 in comparison with superconducting ZnNNi3

Abstract The elastic, electronic, and optical properties of MNNi 3 (M=Zn, Sn, and Cu) have been calculated using the plane-wave ultrasoft pseudopotential technique, which is based on the first-principle density functional theory (DFT) with generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The optimized lattice parameters, independent elastic constants ( C 11 , C 12 , and C 44 ), bulk modulus B , compressibility K , shear modulus G , and Poissons ratio υ , as well as the band structures, total and atom projected densities of states and finally the optical properties of MNNi 3 have been evaluated and discussed. The electronic band structures of the two hypothetical compounds show metallic behavior just like the superconducting ZnNNi 3 . Using band structures, the origin of features that appear in different optical properties of all the three compounds has been discussed. The large reflectivity of the predicted compounds in the low energy region might be useful in good candidate materials for coating to avoid solar heating.

Structural, elastic, and electronic properties of recently discovered ternary silicide superconductor Li2IrSi3: An ab-initio study

The structural, elastic, and electronic properties of the very recently discovered ternary silicide superconductor, Li2IrSi3, have been calculated using ab-initio technique. We have carried out the plane-wave pseudopotential approach within the framework of the first-principles density functional theory (DFT) implemented within the CASTEP code. The calculated structural parameters show a reasonable agreement with the experimental results. Elastic moduli of this interesting material have been calculated for the first time. The electronic band structure and electronic energy density of states indicate the strong covalent Ir-Si and Si-Si bonding which lead to the formation of the rigid structure of Li2IrSi3. Strong covalency give rise to a high Debye temperature in this system. We have discussed the theoretical results in detail in this paper.

An ab initio investigation of vibrational, thermodynamic, and optical properties of Sc 2 AlC MAX compound

The structural vibrational, thermodynamical, and optical properties of potentially technologically important, weakly coupled MAX compound, Sc2AlC are calculated using density functional theory (DFT). The structural properties of Sc2AlC are compared with the results reported earlier. The vibrational, thermodynamical, and optical properties are theoretically estimated for the first time. The phonon dispersion curve is calculated and the dynamical stability of this compound is investigated. The optical and acoustic modes are observed clearly. We calculate the Helmholtz free energy (F), internal energy (E), entropy (S), and specific heat capacity (Cv ) from the phonon density of states. Various optical parameters are also calculated. The reflectance spectrum shows that this compound has the potential to be used as an efficient solar reflector.