Jiraroj T-Thienprasert

Structure of the hydrated Ca2+ and Cl−: Combined X-ray absorption measurements and QM/MM MD simulations study

A combination of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements and quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations has been applied to elucidate detailed information on the hydration structures of Ca(2+) and Cl(-). The XAS spectra (extended X-ray absorption fine structure, EXAFS, and X-ray absorption near-edge structure, XANES) measured from aqueous CaCl(2) solution were analyzed and compared to those generated from snapshots of QM/MM MD simulations of Ca(2+) and Cl(-) in water. With regard to this scheme, the simulated QM/MM-EXAFS and QM/MM-XANES spectra, which correspond to the local structure and geometrical arrangement of the hydrated Ca(2+) and Cl(-) at molecular level show good agreement with the experimentally observed EXAFS and XANES spectra. From the analyses of the simulated QM/MM-EXAFS spectra, the hydration numbers for Ca(2+) and Cl(-) were found to be 7.1 +/- 0.7 and 5.1 +/- 1.3, respectively, compared to the corresponding values of 6.9 +/- 0.7 and 6.0 +/- 1.7 derived from the measured EXAFS data. In particular for XANES results, it is found that ensemble averages derived from the QM/MM MD simulations can provide reliable QM/MM-XANES spectra, which are strongly related to the shape of the experimental XANES spectra. Since there is no direct way to convert the measured XANES spectrum into details relating to geometrical arrangement of the hydrated ions, it is demonstrated that such a combined technique of XAS experiments and QM/MM MD simulations is well-suited for the structural verification of aqueous ionic solutions.

Identification of nitrogen acceptor in Cu2O: First-principles study

The source of p-type carriers observed in nitrogen-doped Cu2O samples [Appl. Phys. Lett. 82, 1060 (2003)] was identified by using accurate hybrid density functional calculations. Similar to the case of ZnO, we found that N is a deep acceptor when substituting for O in Cu2O and cannot be the source of the observed p-type carriers. Detailed investigation of other N-related defects in Cu2O reveals that N2 substitution for Cu, i.e., (N2)Cu, is a shallow acceptor and can give hole carriers in N-doped Cu2O samples. (N2)Cu is not only a shallow acceptor but it also has a lower formation energy than NO in some growth conditions. The calculated emission photo luminescence (PL) peak at 1.89 eV associated with (N2)Cu is also in good agreement with the observed N-related PL peak at ∼1.82 eV in N-doped Cu2O sample. To aid future identification by Raman spectroscopy techniques, the vibrational frequencies of N2 on both Cu and O sites were calculated.

Identification of oxygen defects in CdTe revisited: First-principles study

By using first-principles calculations, several SO2 complexes in CdTe were studied. Based on experimental observation, SO2 complexes have been recently proposed by Lavrov et al. [Phys. Rev. B. 84, 233201 (2011)] to be the cause of the observed IR absorption peaks at 1096.8 and 1108.4 cm−1 in O-doped CdTe. Chen et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 035508 (2006)] were originally proposed that the peaks come from OTe-VCd complex. Our calculations indicate that the SO2 molecule on the Te site [(SO2)Te] has a low formation energy but its calculated vibration frequencies (∼900 cm−1) are lower than the observed IR modes. However, (SO2)Te can form a complex with VCd with two possible configurations that give the vibration frequencies in a good agreement with the two observed IR peaks. The binding energies of the complex in these two configurations are about 1 eV under p-type conditions; indicating that the complex is quite stable. The two configurations are related to each other by a rotation of the SO2 molecule with an ...

Theoretical Study of Optical Properties of Native Point Defects in α-Al2O3

Using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory with generalized gradient approximation (GGA) parameterized by Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) for the exchange-correlation functional, we studied the native point defects in α-Al2O3. We found that oxygen vacancy (VO), Al vacancy (VAl), and Al interstitial (Ali) are the dominant defects in α-Al2O3 under both Al- and O-rich growth conditions. Because the optical properties of α-Al2O3 are important for many device applications, the optical excitation levels due to these native point defects were studied. Our results revealed that the absorption and emission bands at ∼3.0 and 6.0 eV should be associated with VO (F-center) in good agreement with previous works. Moreover, the observed emission peak at ∼3.8 eV is very close to the calculated emission energy of Ali. The absorption and emission due to other native point defects were also reported.

First-principles Study of Antisite Defects in Orthorhombic PbZrO3

First-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) within local density approximation were employed to investigate the antisite defects, including PbZr and ZrPb, in orthorhombic PbZrO3 by determining their defect formation energies. The formation energies of antisite defects were then compared with those of other dominant defects, i.e., lead Pb, zirconium Zr, and oxygen O vacancies to examine the likelihood of their existence. Our results revealed that PbZr defect in neutral charge state is the most dominant defect under O-rich or oxidizing condition in agreement with the previous work. In addition, there is a little structural relaxation when the Zr atom is replaced by Pb atom to form PbZr defect in neutral charge state. In opposite, under O-poor or reducing condition, the formation energies of antisite defects are quite high and higher than those of vacancy defects. This suggests that antisite defects are unlikely to form under reducing condition.

Calculated XANES Spectra of Cation Off-Centering in Bi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3

The x-ray absorption near edge spectra (XANES) of Bi, Mg and Ti in BMT for different off-centering magnitudes, associated with different structural models, were calculated by using first-principles calculations. The models studied include the high symmetric structure, two experimental proposed structures (based on an x-ray diffraction experiment) and the calculated fully relaxed structure (based on the calculated energy optimization). The features in the XANES spectra that relates with the off-center shift of cations were identified. Our calculated XANES will aid future experimental identifications of the detailed structure of BMT.

First principles study of Ca in BaTiO3 and Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3

BaTiO3–Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 is one of the promising candidates as a high-temperature relaxor with a high Curie temperature and several preferred dielectric characteristics. It has been found experimentally for a long time that adding calcium to BaTiO3–Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 improves its temperature characteristic of the capacitance [J. Electron. Mater. 39, 2471]. In this study, Calcium (Ca) defects in perovskite BaTiO3 and Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 have been studied based on first-principles calculations. In both BaTiO3 and Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3, our calculations showed that Ca atom energetically prefers to substitute for the cations, that is Ba, Bi, Na and Ti, depending on the growth conditions. In most cases, Ca predominantly substitutes on the A-site without providing additional electrical carriers (serve as either neutral defects or self-compensating defects). The growth conditions where Ca can be forced to substitute for B-site (with limited amount) and the conditions where Ca can be forced to serve as an acceptor are identified. Details of the local structures, formation energies and electronic properties of these Ca defects are reported.

Self-trapped holes in BaTiO3

The behavior of holes in the valence band of BaTiO3 is investigated using hybrid density-functional calculations. We find that holes tend to self-trap, localizing on individual O atoms and causing local lattice distortions, forming small hole-polarons. This takes place even in the absence of intrinsic defects or impurities. The self-trapped hole (STH) is more energetically favorable than the delocalized hole in the valence band. The calculated emission peak energy corresponding to the recombination of a conduction band electron with a STH can explain the observed photoluminescence at low temperatures. The stability of the STH, its migration barrier, and the related emission peak are then compared to those of SrTiO3.The behavior of holes in the valence band of BaTiO3 is investigated using hybrid density-functional calculations. We find that holes tend to self-trap, localizing on individual O atoms and causing local lattice distortions, forming small hole-polarons. This takes place even in the absence of intrinsic defects or impurities. The self-trapped hole (STH) is more energetically favorable than the delocalized hole in the valence band. The calculated emission peak energy corresponding to the recombination of a conduction band electron with a STH can explain the observed photoluminescence at low temperatures. The stability of the STH, its migration barrier, and the related emission peak are then compared to those of SrTiO3.

Local structure of stoichiometric and oxygen-deficient A2Ti6O13 (A = Li, Na, and K) studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and first-principles calculations

Oxygen vacancy defects (VO) in Ti-based oxides play important roles in catalytic processes despite limited knowledge regarding their formation and characterization. Here, we demonstrate the use of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements to compare the relative proportion of VO defects in as-grown alkali hexatitanate A2Ti6O13 (A = Li, Na, K). Both X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) regions were studied. The similarity of measured XANES spectra of Ti K-edge in all samples indicates the presence of (Ti4+)O6 units in good agreement with reported X-ray diffraction results. The small influence of cations A at the tunnel was observed and can be well reproduced in the simulated spectra. In addition, we present a semi-quantitative approach to intuitively determine the content of VO defects in oxygen-deficient K2Ti6O13-x by in situ time-resolved XAS measurements under reducing conditions (10%H2/Ar, 50-650 °C). The in situ XANES measurements indicate that the oxidation state of bulk Ti remains the same as the as-grown sample, i.e., 4+, at elevated temperatures. By in situ EXAFS measurements, the relative number of VO defects is highest at a reduction temperature of ∼550 °C and slightly decreases after that. To confirm the formation of VO defects, first-principles calculations were independently carried out using a 126-atom K2Ti6O13 supercell with VO at various positions. Based on calculated EXAFS, the removal of the oxygen atom nearest to the tunnel, which is the lowest energy structure, provides a good match to the experimental spectra.Oxygen vacancy defects (VO) in Ti-based oxides play important roles in catalytic processes despite limited knowledge regarding their formation and characterization. Here, we demonstrate the use of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements to compare the relative proportion of VO defects in as-grown alkali hexatitanate A2Ti6O13 (A = Li, Na, K). Both X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) regions were studied. The similarity of measured XANES spectra of Ti K-edge in all samples indicates the presence of (Ti4+)O6 units in good agreement with reported X-ray diffraction results. The small influence of cations A at the tunnel was observed and can be well reproduced in the simulated spectra. In addition, we present a semi-quantitative approach to intuitively determine the content of VO defects in oxygen-deficient K2Ti6O13-x by in situ time-resolved XAS measurements under reducing conditions (10%H2/Ar, 50-650 °C). The in situ XANES measurements ind...

Mechanistic study of Na-ion diffusion and small polaron formation in Kröhnkite Na2Fe(SO4)2·2H2O based cathode materials

Krohnkite-type Na2Fe(SO4)2·2H2O mineral is a sustainable and promising polyanionic cathode that has been experimentally found to offer a high redox potential (3.25 V vs. Na/Na+) along with fast-ion diffusion and high reversibility. Owing to the structural complexity, Na+ diffusion was assumed to occur along a convoluted channel along the b-axis. However, theoretical work related to this material still appears missing to support that statement. In this work, DFT+U calculations have been performed with the primary aim to unveil the Na+ diffusion mechanism in this material. The electronic structure and charge transfer are also envisaged to reveal evidence of Fe2+/3+ redox reaction and a vital role of structural H2O. Based on formation energies of this material with varied Na concentration, a calculated voltage profile is determined to show two voltage plateaus at 4.81 and 3.51 V, corresponding to experimental results. Nudged elastic band calculation reveals that Na+ diffusion is primarily occuring in the [01] direction with a moderate ionic mobility due to the structural distortion induced during migration, suggesting the possibility of defect-assisted diffusion. Intriguingly, the formation of small hole polarons is first observed, and could play a key role in the electronic conduction of this material.