C. L. Bailey

Parallel implementation of the ab initio CRYSTAL program: electronic structure calculations for periodic systems

CRYSTAL is an ab initio electronic structure program, based on the linear combination of atomic orbitals, for periodic systems. This paper concerns the ability of CRYSTAL to exploit massively parallel computer hardware. A brief review of the theory, numerical implementations and parallel solutions will be given and some of the functionalities and capabilities highlighted. Some features that are unique to CRYSTAL will be described and development plans outlined.

Chemistry of defect induced photoluminescence in chalcopyrites: The case of CuAlS2

Hybrid exchange density functional theory is used to study the wide band gap chalcopyrite CuAlS2. The formation energies of charged and neutral intrinsic defects are calculated for different environmental conditions, and it is shown that CuAlS2 is a p-type material that cannot be type inverted through the formation of intrinsic defects. The calculated band gap states associated with the different intrinsic defects are used to comment on the origin of the observed CuAlS2 photoluminescence emissions. The origin and stability of ordered defect compounds derived from CuAlS2 are investigated, and it is concluded that CuAl5S8 is a stable ordered defect compound, albeit in a small region of phase space.

Ab initio studies of aluminium fluoride surfaces

Solid aluminium fluorides have great potential for use in a range of reactions that are catalysed by strong Lewis acids. However, very little is known about the detailed atomic scale structure of their surfaces. We present new results for the surface structure of β-AlF3 based on first principles simulation and compare these with our earlier work on α-AlF3. On the basis of these simulations we can explain the observed reactivity of the aluminium fluoride materials. We can also use these results to postulate a mechanism for the observed high reactivity shown by amorphous, ‘high-surface area’ AlF3.

Identification of possible Lewis acid sites on the β-AlF3(100) surface: an ab initio total energy study

Strong Lewis acid catalysts are widely used in a variety of industrial processes including Cl/F exchange reactions. Aluminium fluorides (AlF3) have great potential for use in such reactions. Despite the importance of the surface in the catalytic process little is known about the detailed atomic scale structure of AlF3 surfaces. In the current study we employ state of the art total energy calculations based on hybrid-exchange density functional theory to predict the composition and structure of the (100) surface of beta-AlF3 for the first time. We examine six possible terminations of the beta-AlF3 (100) surface and demonstrate that there are two relatively low energy terminations that result in the formation of under co-ordinated Al3+ ions at the surface. Such under co-ordinated ions are expected to be strong Lewis acid sites. This is the first ab initio determination of the atomic scale structure of such sites on the surface of beta-AlF3.

Characterization of Lewis acid sites on the (100) surface of β-AlF3: Ab initio calculations of NH3 adsorption

The current study employs hybrid-exchange density functional theory to show that the Lewis base, NH(3), binds to the beta-AlF(3) (100) surface with a binding energy (BE) of up to -1.96 eV per molecule. This is characteristic of a strong Lewis acid. The binding of NH(3) to the surface is predominately due to electrostatic interactions. There is only a small charge transfer from the NH(3) molecule to the surface. The BE as a function of coverage is computed and used to develop a lattice Monte Carlo model which is used to predict the temperature programed desorption (TPD) spectrum. Comparison with experimental TPD studies of NH(3) from beta-AlF(3) strongly suggests that these structural models and binding mechanisms are good approximations to those that occur on real AlF(3) surfaces.

Reactivity of the β-AlF3(100) surface: defects, fluorine mobility and catalysis of the CCl2F2 dismutation reaction

Hybrid exchange density functional theory is used to model defects on the beta-AlF(3) (100) surface. The stability of the surface with respect to the diffusion of surface F ions is investigated. It is shown that under typical reaction conditions (600 K) the surface is not kinetically hindered from reaching thermodynamic equilibrium. A reaction mechanism for the catalysis of 2CCl(2)F(2)--> CClF(3) + CCl(3)F is proposed. The mechanism and corresponding reaction barriers are calculated using a double-ended transition state search method. It is predicted that the processes that determine the overall reaction rate occur at defect sites.

First principles characterisation of aluminium trifluoride catalysts

The recently discovered high surface area AlF3 catalyst is characterised with respect to surface composition and structure using calculations based on density functional theory. Under typical reaction conditions the surfaces are found to expose five fold coordinated Al reaction centres and to preferentially adsorb water. The acidic centres are probed using NH3 adsorption which binds strongly indicating strong Lewis acidity. The predicted temperature probed desorption spectrum has features from competing surfaces and features due to strong intermolecular interactions, which are used to interpret the observed spectrum.

Calculating charged defects using CRYSTAL

The methodology for the calculation of charged defects using the CRYSTAL program is discussed. Two example calculations are used to illustrate the methodology: He+ ions in a vacuum and two intrinsic charged defects, Cu vacancies and Ga substitution for Cu, in the chalcopyrite CuGaS2.