Electronic and optical properties of pristine, N- and S-doped water-covered TiO2 nanotube surfaces

For rational design and improvement of electronic and optical properties of water-splitting photocatalysts, the ability to control the band edge positions relative to the water redox potentials and the photoresponse as a function of environmental conditions is essential. We combine ab initio molecular dynamics simulations with ab initio many-body theoretical calculations to predict the bandgap and band edge energies, as well as the absorption spectrum of pristine and N- and S-doped TiO2 nanotubes using the DFT+U and G0W0 approaches. Both levels of theory show similar trends, and N+S-codoping appears to be the optimal system for photocatalytic water splitting both in dry and humid conditions…

<title>Quantum chemistry studies of the O K-edge x-ray absorption in WO<formula><inf><roman>3</roman></inf></formula> and AWO<formula><inf><roman>3</roman></inf></formula></title>

In this work we present an interpretation of experimental O K-edge x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) in perovskite-type WO3 and AWO3 compounds (A = H and Na) using three different first principles approaches: (i) fullmultiple- scattering (FMS) formalism (the real-space FEFF code), (ii) hybrid density functional theory (DFT) method with partial incorporation of exact Hartree-Fock exchange using formalism of the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) as implemented in the CRYSTAL code; (iii) plane-wave DFT method using formalism of the projectoraugmented waves (PAW) as implemented in the VASP code.

First principles evaluation on photocatalytic suitability of 2H structured and [0001] oriented WS2 nanosheets and nanotubes

This study was supported by the EC ERA.Net RUS Plus Project No. 237 WATERSPLIT. R.E. acknowledges the financial support provided by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grant N 17-03-00130a) and High Performance Computer Center of St. Petersburg University for the assistance. The authors are indebted to D. Bocharov, O. Lisovski and E. Spohr for stimulating discussions.

First-Principles Evaluation of the Morphology of WS2 Nanotubes for Application as Visible-Light-Driven Water-Splitting Photocatalysts

This study was supported by the EC ERA.Net RUS Plus project No. 237 WATERSPLIT as well as Russian Basic Research Foundation No. 16-53-76019. S.K. and E.S. furthermore gratefully acknowledge computing time granted by the Center for Computational Sciences and Simulation (CCSS) of the Universitaẗ Duisburg-Essen and the supercomputer magnitUDE (DFG grants INST 20876/209-1 FUGG, INST 20876/243-1 FUGG) provided by the Zentrum für Informations-und Mediendienste (ZIM). E.S. is also grateful for support by the Cluster of Excellence RESOLV (EXC1069) funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

Theory of the growth mode for a thin metallic film on an insulating substrate

We have developed a novel theory predicting the growth mode of a thin metallic film on an insulating substrate. This combines ab initio electronic structure calculations for several ordered metal/insulator interfaces (varying both coverage and substrate lattice constant), with a thermodynamic approach based on microscopic calculations. We illustrate this approach for Ag film deposited on MgO(0 0 1) substrate. Ab initio calculations predict high mobility of adsorbed silver atoms on the perfect magnesia surface even at low temperatures. Our theoretical analysis clearly demonstrates that the growth of metallic islands is predominant at the initial stage of silver deposition, which agrees with …

Site symmetry approach applied to the supercell model of MgAl2O4 spinel with oxygen interstitials: Ab initio calculations

This study has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has been provided funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 under grant agreement No 633053. The authors are indebted to E.A. Kotomin, A.I. Popov and R. Vila for stimulating discussions. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. Calculations have been performed using both the Marconi supercomputer system at the Computational Simulation Centre (Italy) and the Computer Center of St. Petersburg State University.

First-principles calculations of point defects in inorganic nanotubes

The first-principles calculations have been performed to investigate the ground-state properties of monoperiodic boron nitride (BN), TiO2, and SrTiO3 single-walled nanotubes (SW NTs) containing extrinsic point defects. The hybrid exchange–correlation functionals PBE, B3LYP, and B3PW within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) have been applied for large-scale ab initio calculations on NTs with the following substitutional impurities: AlB, PN, GaB, AsN, InB, and SbN in the BN NT, as well as CO, NO, SO, and FeTi in the TiO2 and SrTiO3 NTs, respectively. The variations in formation energies obtained for equilibrium defective nanostructures allow us to predict the most stable compos…

The Effect of Oxygen Vacancies on the Atomic and Electronic Structure of Cubic ABO3Perovskite Bulk and the (001) Surface:Abinitio Calculations

We employed the hybrid DFT-LCAO and GGA-PW approaches as implemented in the CRYSTAL and VASP codes, respectively, for large supercell calculations of neutral O vacancies with trapped electrons (known as F centers) in the bulk and on the (001) surface of three cubic perovskite crystals (SrTiO 3 , PbTiO 3 , and PbZrO 3 ). The local lattice relaxation, charge redistribution, and positions of defect energy levels within the band gap are compared for three perovskites under study. We demonstrate how the difference in chemical composition of host materials leads to quite different defect properties.

Formation of linear Ni nanochains inside carbon nanotubes: Prediction from density functional theory

Abstract First principles calculations have been performed to investigate the ground state properties of monoperiodic single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) containing nanochain of aligned Ni atoms inside. Using the PBE exchange-correlation functional ( E xc ) within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) we predict the clusterization of Ni filaments in ( n ,0) CNTs for n ⩾  9 and for ( n , n ) CNTs for n ⩾  6. The variations in formation energies obtained for equilibrium defective nanostructures allow us to predict the most stable Ni@CNT compositions. Finally, the electronic charge redistribution has been calculated in order to explore intermolecular properties leading to stronger…

Metal film growth on regular and defective MgO(001) surface: A comparative ab initio simulation and thermodynamic study

Abstract In order to understand the difference in metallic film growth modes on perfect and defective oxide substrates, we have combined ab initio B3LYP periodic calculations on the slab models of the corresponding Me/MgO(0 0 1) interfaces (Me = Ag, Cu) with thermodynamic theory of solid solutions. For a defectless magnesia surface, we confirm the experimentally observed submonolayer growth of 3D metallic islands (Ag possesses a higher trend than Cu). Formation of Fs centers (neutral O vacancies) on the substrate markedly enhances metal atom adsorption as compared to physisorption over regular sites on a defect-free substrate. For the first time, we predict that the presence of these surfac…

Water Adsorption on Clean and Defective Anatase TiO2 (001) Nanotube Surfaces: A Surface Science Approach

We use ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to study the adsorption of thin water films with 1 and 2 ML coverage on anatase TiO2 (001) nanotubes. The nanotubes are modeled as 2D slabs, which consist of partially constrained and partially relaxed structural motifs from nanotubes. The effect of anion doping on the adsorption is investigated by substituting O atoms with N and S impurities on the nanotube slab surface. Due to strain-induced curvature effects, water adsorbs molecularly on defect-free surfaces via weak bonds on Ti sites and H bonds to surface oxygens. While the introduction of an S atom weakens the interaction of the surface with water, which adsorbs molecularly, the presence…

Chemisorption of a molecular oxygen on the UN(001) surface: Ab initio calculations

The results of DFT GGA calculations on oxygen molecules adsorbed upon the (0 0 1) surface of uranium mononitride (UN) are presented and discussed. We demonstrate that O2 molecules oriented parallel to the substrate can dissociate either (i) spontaneously when the molecular center lies above the surface hollow site or atop N ion, (ii) with the activation barrier when a molecule sits atop the surface U ion. This explains fast UN oxidation in air.

Ab initio modelling of Y-O cluster formation in γ-Fe lattice

Ab initio modelling of Y and O impurity atoms as well as VFe vacancies in the fcc-Fe lattice is performed in order to calculate the interactions between these defects, which are important for understanding of nanoparticles’ formation within the oxide dispersed strengthened steels. Large scale parallel calculations based on plane-wave method realised in VASP computer code show that VFe vacancies considerably influence the binding between the impurity atoms. In this study, we present the results of performed calculations providing the detailed information about the binding energies between the defects, the changes of their effective charges as well as displacements of the substitute atoms rel…

Adhesion trends and growth mode of ultra-thin copper films on MgO

Ab initio simulations are performed for Cu atoms adsorbed on the perfect MgO(001) substrate, with an ordered metal coverage varied from 1 monolayer (ML), i.e. almost single atoms, up t o1M L. As trong dependence of the adhesion energy and the sub-monolayer film distance from the substrate on the surface coverage and adsorbate positions (Mg 2+ or O 2− )i s discussed. The nature of interfacial bonding at all coverages is physisorption .W hen increasing Cu atomic fraction, a decrease of the substrate-induced polarization of adatoms accompanied by an increase of both in-plane metallic bonding and the interfacial distance has been found. Combining results of ab initio calculations with thermodyn…

Size and shape of three-dimensional Cu clusters on aMgO(001)substrate: Combinedab initioand thermodynamic approach

David Fuks,1 Eugene A. Kotomin,2,3 Yuri F. Zhukovskii,2 and A. Marshall Stoneham4 1Materials Engineering Department, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P. O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva, Israel 2Institute for Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, Kengaraga 8, LV-1063 Riga, Latvia 3Max-Planck-Institut FKF, Heisenbergstr. 1, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany 4Center for Materials Science, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom Received 29 September 2005; revised manuscript received 21 June 2006; published 29 September 2006

Simulation of electromagnetic properties in carbon nanotubes and graphene-based nanostructures

As carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene nanostructures (GNR) constitute the basis of high-speed nanoelectronics and nanosensors, we examine the fundamental properties of var- ious CNT-metal (Me), GNR-Me, and CNT-graphene interconnects. The cluster approach based on the multiple scattering theory as well as effective medium approximation were used to model the dispersion law, electronic density of states (DOS), and conductivity, etc. Multiple scattering problems were solved for nanostructures with radial (quantum dots) and axial (nanowires, nano- tubes) symmetry. Interconnect capacitances and impedances have been evaluated in the GHz and THz regimes. Parametrical numerical simulations of cond…

Resistance simulations for junctions of SW and MW carbon nanotubes with various metal substrates

Abstract This theoretical study focuses on junctions between the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and contacting metallic elements of a nanocircuit. Numerical simulations on the conductance and resistance of these contacts have been performed using the multiple scattering theory and the effective media cluster approach. Two models for CNT-metal contacts have been considered in this paper: a) first principles “liquid metal” model and b) semi-empirical model of “effective bonds” based on Landauer notions on ballistic conductivity. Within the latter, which is a more adequate description of chirality effects, we have simulated both single-wall (SW) and multi-wall (MW) CNTs with different morphology. Res…

Electronic structure and thermodynamic stability of double-layeredSrTiO3(001)surfaces:Ab initiosimulations

Using the B3PW hybrid exchange-correlation functional within density-functional theory and employing Gaussian-type basis sets, we calculated the atomic and electronic structures and thermodynamic stability of three double-layered (DL) SrTiO3(001) surfaces: (i) SrO-terminated, (ii) TiO2-terminated, and (iii) (2×1) reconstruction of TiO2-terminated SrTiO3(001) recently suggested by Erdman et al. [Nature (London) 419, 55 (2002)]. A thermodynamic stability diagram obtained from first-principles calculations shows that regular TiO2- and SrO-terminated surfaces are the most stable. The stability regions of (2×1) DL TiO2- and DL SrO-terminated surfaces lie beyond the precipitation lines of SrO and…

First principles modeling of 3d-metal doped three-layer fluorite-structured TiO2 (4,4) nanotube to be used for photocatalytic hydrogen production

This study has been supported by the EC ERA.Net RUS Plus project No. 237 WATERSPLIT, Russian Basic Research Foundation No. 16-53-76019, and additionally by the IMIS2 Program (Latvia). The authors are also indebted to R. A. Evarestov and O. Lisovski for stimulating discussions as well as to A. Chesnokov for technical assistance.

<title>Large-scale computer simulations of metal/oxide interfaces with defects</title>

Ab initio slab simulations have been performed for silver adhesion to the perfect and defective MgO(001) surfaces. For 1/4 Ag monolayer (ML) coverage of perfect substrate, we observe small silver adhesion energies over both O2- and Mg2+ ions on a regular MgO(001) substrate (0.23 and 0.22 eV per Ag atom, respectively), with negligible interfacial charge transfer towards metal atoms. For larger Ag coverages (beginning with 1/2 ML), silver adsorption over regular O2- ions is much more favorable. We demonstrate that point surface defects on a magnesia surface increase markedly the metal adhesion energy and cause a redistribution of the electron density across the interface. The results for elec…

Enhanced lithium storage and chemical diffusion in metal-LiF nanocomposites: Experimental and theoretical results

An extra storage of Li has been observed experimentally at low potential in Me/LiF nanocomposites where Me refers to transition metals such as Cu, Co, etc., with a pseudocapacitive behavior characterized by a high rate performance. To understand the mechanistic details of the lithium storage anomaly, we have performed comparative ab initio calculations on the atomic and electronic structure of the nonpolar Cu/ LiF001 and model Li/ LiF001 interfaces. For this aim, we inserted extra Li atoms at several possible sites of the periodic two-dimensional Me/LiF Me= Cu, Li interfaces. The energetically most favorable site for extra Li atom is

Unexpected Epitaxial Growth of a Few WS2 Layers on {11̅00} Facets of ZnO Nanowires

Core–shell nanowires are an interesting and perspective class of radially heterostructured nanomaterials where epitaxial growth of the shell can be realized even at noticeable core–shell lattice mismatch. In this study epitaxial hexagonally shaped shell consisting of WS2 nanolayers was grown on {1100} facets of prismatic wurtzite-structured [0001]-oriented ZnO nanowires for the first time. A synthesis was performed by annealing in a sulfur atmosphere of ZnO/WO3 core–shell structures, produced by reactive dc magnetron sputtering of an amorphous a-WO3 layer on top of ZnO nanowire array. The morphology and phase composition of synthesized ZnO/WS2 core–shell nanowires were confirmed by scanning…

Modeling of yttrium, oxygen atoms and vacancies in γ-iron lattice

Abstract Development of the oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels for fission and fusion reactors requires a deep understanding of the mechanism and kinetics of Y 2 O 3 nanoparticle precipitation in the steel matrix. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a large-scale theoretical modeling of the Y 2 O 3 formation. In the current study, a series of first-principles calculations have been performed on different elementary clusters consisting of pair and triple solute atoms and containing: (i) the Y–Fe-vacancy pairs, (ii) the two Y atoms substituted for Fe lattice atoms and (iii) the O impurity atoms dissolved in the steel matrix. The latter is represented by a face-centered cubic γ-Fe si…

C-, N-, S-, and Fe-Doped TiO2 and SrTiO3 Nanotubes for Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Water Splitting: Prediction from First Principles

The ground state electronic structure and the formation energies of both TiO2 and SrTiO3 nanotubes (NTs) containing CO, NO, SO, and FeTi substitutional impurities are studied using first-principles calculations. We observe that N and S dopants in TiO2 NTs lead to an enhancement of their visible-light-driven photocatalytic response, thereby increasing their ability to split H2O molecules. The differences between the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied impurity levels inside the band gap (HOIL and LUIL, respectively) are reduced in these defective nanotubes down to 2.4 and 2.5 eV for N and S doping, respectively. The band gap of an NO+SO codoped titania nanotube is narrowed down to 2.2 eV …

First-principles calculations on Fe-Pt nanoclusters of various morphologies

Financial support provided by Scientific Research Project for Students and Young Researchers Nr. SJZ/2016/17 implemented at the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, is greatly acknowledged. A.P. and R.E. express their gratitude to High-performance computer centers of ISSP (University of Latvia) and St. Petersburg University. This research was partially supported by Graphene Flagship GrapheneCore1-AMD-696656-4.

Charged oxygen interstitials in corundum: first principles simulations

Combining supercell models and hybrid B3PW exchange-correlation functionals, ab initio simulations on quasi-stable configurations of interstitial ions in α-Al2O3 (corundum) crystals and possible migration trajectories have been modelled. We have studied crystalline distortion around migrating including interatomic distances and the effective atomic charges, as well as redistributions of the electronic density. Unlike neutral interstitial atom Oi studied by us previously, migrating ion does not form dumbbells with the nearest regular oxygen ions, due to the strong Coulomb interaction with the nearest cations as well as stronger repulsion between and adjacent regular ions. We have also estima…

Quantum chemical simulations of doped ZnO nanowires for photocatalytic hydrogen generation

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is considered in general as a promising material for solar water splitting. Its wurtzite-structured bulk samples, however, can be considered as active for photocatalytic applications only under UV irradiation, where they possess ∼1% efficiency of sunlight energy conversion due to their wide band gap (3.4 eV). Although pristine ZnO nanowires (NWs) possess noticeably narrower band gaps than the bulk, the tendency of band gap reduction with increasing NW diameter is insufficient, and further modification is required. We have contributed to filling this gap by performing a series of ab initio calculations on ZnO NWs of different diameters (dNW), which are mono-doped by metal (A…

Comparative Theoretical Analysis of BN Nanotubes Doped with Al, P, Ga, As, In, and Sb

SUMMARY AND CONCLUDING REMARKS We have performed large-scale first-principles calculations ofthe electronic structure of (5,5) boron nitride nanotubescontaining the following substitutional impurity atoms: Al, P,Ga, As, In, and Sb. Calculations have been performed using thetwo methods: (i) linear combination of atomic orbitals(LCAO) with the atomic-centered Gaussian-type functions asa basis set and (ii) linearized augmented cylindrical wave(LACW) accompanied with the local density functional andmuffin-tin approximations for the electronic potential. In arelatively good qualitative agreement, both methods predict lowformation energies and, thus, relative stability of point defectsthat are assoc…

First-principles modeling of oxygen interaction with SrTiO3(001) surface: Comparative density-functional LCAO and plane-wave study

Large scale first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) employing two different methods (atomic orbitals and plane wave basis sets) were used to study the energetics, geometry, the electronic charge redistribution and migration for adsorbed atomic and molecular oxygen on defect-free SrTiO3(001) surfaces (both SrO- and TiO2-terminated), which serves as a prototype for many ABO3-type perovskites. Both methods predict substantial binding energies for atomic O adsorption at the bridge position between the oxygen surface ions and an adjacent metal ion. A strong chemisorption is caused by formation of a surface molecular peroxide ion. In contrast, the neutral molecular …

Periodic models in quantum chemical simulations ofF centers in crystalline metal oxides

We present a survey of recent first principles simulations of the neutral oxygen vacancies (F centers) existing as native or radiation-induced point defects in various crystalline metal oxides in different forms (bulk, bare substrate surface, and on the interface with metal adsorbates). We mainly consider periodic models in calculations of point defects using the metal oxide supercell or cyclic clusters. We compare different formalisms of first principles calculations, mostly the Density Functional Theory (DFT) as implemented in the framework of either localized basis set of atomic orbitals or delocalized basis sets of plane waves. We analyze in detail the structural and electronic properti…

Effect of electron correlation corrections on phase competition in Ag film on MgO substrate

Abstract The effect of electron correlation corrections in the novel theory predicting the growth mode of a thin metallic film on an insulating substrate has been studied. We discuss the influence of the substrate slab thickness on the energies of formation for several two-dimensional phases, which, in principle, may form in Ag layer on (0 0 1) MgO substrate. We analyze also the sensitivity of the key energy parameter––Fourier transform of the mixing potential V (0) to the choice of correlation functionals.

Back Cover: First-principles calculations of point defects in inorganic nanotubes (Phys. Status Solidi B 4/2013)

Atomic and electronic structure of both perfect and nanostructured Ni(111) surfaces: First-principles calculations

article i nfo In this study, we perform first principles simulations on both atomically smooth and nanostructured Ni(111) slabs. The latter contains periodically distributed nickel nanoclusters atop a thin metal film gradually growing from adatoms and serving as a promising catalyst. Applying the generalized gradient approximation within the formalism of the density functional theory we compare the atomic and electronic structures of Ni bulk, as well as both perfect and nanostructured (111) surfaces obtained using two different ab initio approaches: (i) the linear combination of atomic orbitals and (ii) the projector augmented plane waves. The most essential inter-atomic forces between the …

AB Initio Calculations of CUN@Graphene (0001) Nanostructures for Electrocatalytic Applications

Funding from European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme project under grant agreement No. 768789 is greatly acknowledged.

First principles simulations on migration paths of oxygen interstitials in magnesium aluminate spinel

This study has been carried out within the framework of the EURO fusion Consortium and has been provided funding from the Euratom research and training program 2014–2018 under grant agreement No. 633053. The authors are indebted to A.I. Popov, A.C. Lushchik and R. Vila for stimulating discussions. Technical assistance from O. Lisovski is appreciated too. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. Calculations have been performed using Marconi supercomputer system based in Italy at CINECA Supercomputing Centre.

Evidence for Interfacial-Storage Anomaly in Nanocomposites for Lithium Batteries from First-Principles Simulations

We present theoretical support for a mass storage anomaly proposed for nanocomposites in the context of lithium batteries which forms the transition between an electrostatic capacitive mechanism and an electrode mechanism. Ab initio atomic and electronic structure calculations, performed on the Ti(0001)/Li2O(111) model interface, indicate the validity of the phenomenological model of interfacial Li storage and provide a deeper insight into the local situation. Beyond the specific applicability to storage devices, the possibility of a two-phase effect on mass storage generally highlights the availability of novel degrees of freedom in materials research when dealing with nanocomposites.

Real time polymer nanocomposites-based physical nanosensors: theory and modeling.

Functionalized carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoribbons nanostructures, serving as the basis for the creation of physical pressure and temperature nanosensors, are considered as tools for ecological monitoring and medical applications. Fragments of nanocarbon inclusions with different morphologies, presenting a disordered system, are regarded as models for nanocomposite materials based on carbon nanoсluster suspension in dielectric polymer environments (e.g., epoxy resins). We have formulated the approach of conductivity calculations for carbon-based polymer nanocomposites using the effective media cluster approach, disordered systems theory and conductivity mechanisms analysis, and obtain…

Simulations on the mechanism of CNT bundle growth upon smooth and nanostructured Ni as well as θ-Al2O3 catalysts

Abstract In the current study, we have performed ab initio DFT calculations on the gradually growing 2D periodic models of capped single-wall carbon nanotubes (SW CNTs) upon their perpendicular junctions with the Ni(111) substrate, in order to understand the peculiarities of the initial stage of their growth on either smooth or nanostructured catalytic particles. Appearance of the adsorbed carbon atoms upon the substrate follows from the dissociation of CVD hydrocarbon molecules, e.g., CH4: (CH4)ads → (CH)ads+3Hads and (CH)ads → Cads+Hads. (Since the effective growth of CNTs upon Ni nanoparticles occur inside the nanopores of amorphous alumina, we have also simulated analogous surface react…

First-principles calculations of oxygen interstitials in corundum: a site symmetry approach

The authors are indebted to R. Vila, A. Popov and A. Lushchik for stimulating discussions. This work was carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement 633053. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. Support from Latvian National Research Program IMIS2 (2014–2017) is also appreciated. Calculations were carried out using both the Marconi supercomputer system at the Computational Simulation Centre and the Computer Center of St. Petersburg State University.

First principles simulations of 2D Cu superlattices on the MgO(0 0 1) surface

AbstractFirst principles slab simulations of copper 2D superlattices of different densities on the perfect MgO(001) surface are performed using the DFT method as implemented into the CRYSTAL98 computer code. In order to clarify the nature of interfacial bonding, we consider regular 1/4, 1/2 and 1 monolayer (ML) coverages and compare results of our calculations with various experimental and theoretical data. Our general conclusion is that the physical adhesion associated with a Cu polarization and charge redistribution gives the predominant contribution to the bonding of the regular Cu 2D layer on the MgO(001) surface.

Ab initio thermodynamics for the growth of ultra-thin Cu film on a perfect MgO(001) surface

Controlled growth of thin metallic films on oxide substrates is important for numerous micro-and nanoelectronic applications. Our ab initio study is devoted to the periodic slab simulations for a series of ordered 2D Cu superlattices on the regular MgO(001) substrate. Submonolayer and monolayer substrate Cu coverages were calculated using the DFT-GGA method, as implemented into the CRYSTAL-98 code. The results of ab initio calculations have been combined with thermodynamic theory which allows us to predict the growth mode of ultra-thin metal films (spinodal decomposition vs. nucleation-and-growth regime) as a function of the metal coverage and the temperature, and to estimate the metal dens…

Ab initio simulations on N and S co-doped titania nanotubes for photocatalytic applications

In this paper we present the results of quantum chemical modeling for energetically stable anatase (001) TiO2 nanotubes, undoped, doped, and codoped with N and S atoms. We calculate the electronic structure of one-dimensional (1D) nanotubes and zero-dimensional (0D) atomic fragments cut out from these nanotubes, employing hybrid density functional theory with a partial incorporation of an exact, nonlocal Hartree–Fock exchange within the formalism of the linear combination of atomic orbitals, as implemented in both CRYSTAL and NWChem total energy codes. Structural optimization of 1D nanotubes has been performed using CRYSTAL09 code, while the cut-out 0D fragments have been modelled using the…

Multiwall carbon-nanotube interconnects: radial effects on physical models and resistance calculations for various metal substrates

Based on a model with singular attractive potential of equidistant conductive cylinders, we illustrate an approach to calculate the electron spectrum of metallic multiwall carbon nanotubes (MW CNT) with an arbitrary number of coaxial layers. We compute the number of electrically active channels, N ch , in the ideal case when all MW CNT shells are contacted to the electrodes, starting from the one-electron spectrum. The dependence of N ch on the temperature and on both the innermost and outermost shells radii allows us to discuss the potential performances of MW CNT interconnects, affecting the power dissipation of integrated circuits. Our description improves over the isolated shells model,…

Helium Behavior in Oxide Nuclear Fuels: First Principles Modeling

UO2 and (U,Pu)O2 solid solutions (the so-called MOX) nowadays are used as commercial nuclear fuels in many countries. One of the safety issues during the storage of these fuels is related to their self-irradiation that produces and accumulates point defects and helium therein. We present density functional theory (DFT) calculations for UO2, PuO2 and MOX containing He atoms in octahedral interstitial positions. In particular, we calculated basic MOX properties and He incorporation energies as functions of Pu concentration within the spin-polarized, generalized gradient approximation (GGA) DFT calculations. We also included the on-site electron correlation corrections using the Hubbard model …

Ab initio modelling of the initial stages of the ODS particle formation process

Abstract Oxide-Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) steels with Y2O3 nanoparticles are promising structural materials for fision and future fusion reactors. A large number of experimental as well as theoretical studies provided valuable information on the ODS particle formation process. However, some important details of this process still remain unexplained. We present the results of ab initio VASP calculations of the initial steps of the ODS particle formation. At these steps Y solute atoms are stabilized in the Fe lattice by vacancies, which create a basis for the future growth of Y2O3-particle. Interaction of multiple vacancies and solution Y and O atoms has been studied in various combination…

Validation of a constrained 2D slab model for water adsorption simulation on 1D periodic TiO2 nanotubes

Abstract Solar light driven hydrogen evolution is one focus of modern materials research. Among the different emerging technologies, particular interest is devoted towards metal oxide photocatalysts in the form of various 1D nanostructures. Presently, the mismatch between regular structures that can be synthesized and the largest structures that are feasible for computer simulation is still very large. For example, an in-depth study of water adsorption on nanotube (NT) surfaces requires, in addition to DFT calculations, molecular dynamics simulations to take into account the disordered nature of the aqueous phase. To completely immerse even a very thin nanotube into an aqueous system requir…

Adsorption of atomic and molecular oxygen on the SrTiO3(001) surfaces: Computer simulations by means of hybrid density functional calculations and ab initio thermodynamics

AbstractAb initio calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) have been used to study the energetics, fully relaxed structure, charge redistribution, and electronic density of states of adsorbed atomic and molecular oxygen on defectless unreconstructed SrO- and TiO2-terminated SrTiO3(001) surfaces. Exchange-correlation functional applied within DFT contains a “hybrid” of the non-local Hartree–Fock exchange, DFT exchange, and generalized gradient approximation correlation functionals. The calculations are performed on periodically repeated systems (two-dimensional slabs) large enough for the adsorbed species to be treated as isolated. We find substantial binding energies of up to 1…

The effect of Zn vacancies and Ga dopants on the electronic structure of ZnO:Ab initiosimulations

Zinc oxide modied by metal dopants can be used as a low-cost material for production of transparent conducting lms. Its optical and electronic properties vary with the type and the concentration of dopants. In this study we have performed rst-principle calculations on ZnO with Zn vacancies and that with Ga dopants in wurtzite type hexagonal morphology using density functional theory approach. Dependence of the electronic properties on the concentration of dopants has been studied using supercells of dierent sizes.

Site symmetry approach in the supercell model of carbon-doped ZnO bulk

Abstract Carbon-doped zinc oxide is one of promising materials for technological applications due to its ferromagnetism observed at room temperature. When using the hybrid DFT-HF Hamiltonian based on the PBE0 exchange-correlation functional for large-scale calculations on defective ZnO:C single crystal, we have shown that application of supercell model for carbon impurity located at O site of wurtzite-structured ZnO bulk results in the dependence of calculated formation energy of the point defect (Eform) on the selected site symmetry of the substituted atom in the supercell. For a more symmetric C3v site usually used for simulation of defective ZnO structures, values of formation energy per…

Ab initio modelling of silver adhesion on the corundum (0001) surface

The Ag/a-Al2O3(0001) interface was simulated using ab initio slab calculations. We have studied silver adhesion on both Al- and Oterminated corundum substrates. The latter case may be considered as silver adhesion on a defective Al-terminated corundum surface with external aluminium vacancies. The dependence of the adhesion energy on the interfacial distance has been analyzed for the two favorable Ag adsorption positions and for two metal coverages (a 1/3 monolayer of the Ag(111) crystallographic plane and a full Ag(111) monolayer, 1 ML). The two different terminations (Al- and O-) give rise to qualitatively different results. In the former case, the small adhesion energies per Ag atom are …

Ab initio calculations of doped TiO2 anatase (101) nanotubes for photocatalytical water splitting applications

Abstract TiO 2 (titania) is one of the promising materials for photocatalytic applications. In this paper we report on recently obtained theoretical results for N and S doped, as well as N+S co-doped 6-layer (101) anatase nanotube (NT). First principles calculations in our study have been performed using a modified B3LYP hybrid exchange-correlation functional within density functional theory (DFT). Here we discuss the energy of defect formation mechanism and electronic band structure for nanotubes under study. We also report on influence of dopant concentration on the NT's band structure and discuss the defect–defect interactions.

Ab initio simulations on charged interstitial oxygen migration in corundum

We have performed this work within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium receiving funding from the European grant agreement 633053. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. Authors thank R. Vila, A.I. Popov, A. Luchshik and R.A. Evarestov for fruitful discussions. To carry out large-scale calculations, we have used the HPC supercomputer at Stuttgart University (Germany)

Ab initio simulations on the atomic and electronic structure of single-walled BN nanotubes and nanoarches

To simulate the perfect single-walled boron nitride nanotubes and nanoarches with armchair- and zigzag-type chiralities and uniform diameter of � 5 nm, we have constructed their one-dimensional (1D) periodic models. In this study, we have compared the calculated properties of nanotubes with those for both hexagonal and cubic phases of bulk: bond lengths, binding energies per B–N bond, effective atomic charges as well as parameters of total and projected one-electron densities of states. For both phases of BN bulk, we have additionally verified their lattice constants. In the density functional theory (DFT), calculations performed using formalism of the localized Gaussian-type atomic functio…

Ab initio simulations on migration paths of interstitial oxygen in corundum

Abstract Ionizing radiation produces in Al 2 O 3 (corundum) crystals primary Frenkel pairs of complementary defects (in oxygen sublattice these are oxygen vacancies and interstitial oxygen ions, V O  − O i ). The interstitial O i atoms begin to migrate above certain temperature and create the dumbbell pairs with regular oxygen atoms (O reg  − O i ). We have calculated the optimal dumbbell configurations and optimized further migration paths ( i.e. , O i interstitial can break the bond with one O reg atom and moves towards another, one of four next-neighbor O reg atoms). To simulate all possible O i migration trajectories, we have performed large-scale hybrid DFT-LCAO PBE0 calculations on 2 …

Ab initio modelling of the Y, O, and Ti solute interaction in fcc-Fe matrix

Abstract Strengthening of the ODS steels by Y2O3 precipitates permits to increase their operation temperature and radiation resistance, which is important in construction materials for future fusion and advanced fission reactors. Both size and spatial distribution of oxide particles significantly affect mechanical properties and radiation resistance of ODS steels. Addition of the Ti species (present also as a natural impurity atoms in iron lattice) in the particles of Y2O3 powder before their mechanical alloying leads to the formation of YTiO3, Y2TiO5, and Y2Ti2O7 nanoparticles in ODS steels. Modelling of these nanoparticle formation needs detailed knowledge of the energetic interactions be…

Ab initiomodeling of sulphur doped TiO2nanotubular photocatalyst for water-splitting hydrogen generation

In order to construct an efficient visible-light-driven TiO2 photocatalyst for water splitting applications, one has to perform improvements of its electronic structure. In this theoretical study we consider single-walled anatase TiO2 nanotubes having following morphologies: (101) 3-layered wall with chirality indexes (n,0) and (n,n), (101) 6-layered wall with (n,0) and (0,n), (001) 6-layered wall with (n,0) and (0,n), and (001) 9-layered wall with (n,0) and (0,n). The latter configuration occurs to be the most energetically stable, due to possessing negative strain energy. In our study the most stable 9-layered anatase (001) (0,n) nanotube has been doped with sulphur. According to obtained…

Ab initio simulation of yttrium oxide nanocluster formation on fcc Fe lattice

Using results of density functional theory (DFT) calculations the first attempt towards the understanding of Y2O3 particles formation in oxide dispersed strengthened (ODS) ferritic–martensitic steels was performed. The present work includes modeling of single defects (O impurity atom, Fe vacancy and Y substitute atom), interaction between substituted Y atoms, Y–Fe vacancy pairs and oxygen impurity atoms in the iron matrix. The calculations have showed the repulsive interaction between the two Y substitute atoms at any separation distances that might mean that the oxygen atoms or O atoms with vacancies are required to form binding between atoms in the yttrium oxide nanoclusters.

Ab Initio Modeling of Y and O Solute Atom Interaction in Small Clusters within the bcc Iron Lattice

This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euroatom research and training programme 2014–2018 under grant agreement No 633053. The authors are indebted to A. Möslang and P. V. Vladimirov for stimulating discussions. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.

Hartree–Fock study of adhesion and charge redistribution on the Ag/MgO(0 0 1) interface

Abstract Ab initio study of the Ag/MgO(0 0 1) interfaces based on a quantitative analysis of the bonding in the interfacial region is provided in the framework of Hartree–Fock approach. We are describing the way interfacial electronic and other properties evolve as a function of metal coverage. General conclusion that could be drawn from our calculations is that chemical bond formation is not important for the Ag/MgO(0 0 1) perfect interface. Physisorption of Ag atoms over surface O 2− ions associated with atomic polarization and charge redistribution in the metal planes are the dominant effects. The adhesion energy is enhanced by the interaction of the substrate Mg 2+ ions with the surplus…

Simulation of Young’s moduli for hexagonal ZnO [0 0 0 1]-oriented nanowires: first principles and molecular mechanical calculations

The authors thank A Gulans, B Polyakov and S Vlassov for stimulating discussions. This study has been supported by the ERA.Net RUS Plus project No. 237 Watersplit. AB, RE and SL acknowledge the financial support by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Grant No. 17-03-00130-a) and the assistance of the Saint Petersburg State University Computer Center in the accomplishment of high-performance computations.

First principles slab calculations of the regular Cu/MgO(001) interface

Ab initio slab calculations are performed for the copper adhesion over magnesium ions on the perfect MgO(0 0 1) surface with 1/4 monolayer (ML), two types of 1/2 ML and 1 ML substrate coverages. Results of our calculations are compared with various experimental and theoretical data. Both small atomic polarization and charge redistribution give the dominant contributions to the physisorption bonding on a regular Cu/MgO(0 0 1) interface.

Energetic stability and photocatalytic activity of SrTiO3 nanowires: ab initio simulations

First principles periodic calculations based on the density functional theory within the localized atomic orbital approach (DFT-LCAO) using the hybrid exchange–correlation potential PBE0 have been performed in order to simulate the structural and electronic properties of both stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric [001]-oriented four-faceted SrTiO3 (STO) nanowires (NW) of cubic structure. Their diameters have been varied from 0.3 up to 2.4 nm with a corresponding consequent change of NW cross-section from 2 � 2t o 5� 5 extension of the lattice constant in bulk. Energetic stability of STO NW (both stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric) has been found to increase with the decrease of their form…

Comparative analysis of the electronic structures of mono- and bi-atomic chains of IV, III–V and II–VI group elements calculated using the DFT LCAO and LACW methods

Using the first principle non-relativistic linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) and relativistic linearized augmented cylindrical wave (LACW) methods, the band structure of the covalent and partially ionic ANB8−N single atom width chain is calculated. Both the LCAO and LACW methods show that the chains of C, Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb are metallic. However, there is a great difference between the relativistic and non-relativistic band structures. The π bands crossing the Fermi level are orbitally doubly degenerate in the non-relativistic model. The relativistic LACW calculations demonstrate that the spin and orbital motion of electrons are coupled, thereby splitting the π bands. The spin–or…

Ab initio simulations of silver film adhesion on α-Al2O3 (0 0 0 1) and MgO (1 0 0) surfaces

The atomic and electronic structure of the Ag/MgO (1 0 0) and Ag/alpha-Al2O3(0 0 0 1) interfaces are calculated by means of the ab initio Hartree-Fock approach combined with a supercell model. The electronic density distribution and the interface binding energy/equilibrium distance for both interfaces are analyzed. For a complete (1:1) surface coverage of the MgO surface the energetically most favorable adsorption position for the Ag atom is above the O atom. For the Ag/alpha-Al2O3 interface the preferable adsorption positions for the Ag atom are over centers of either large equilateral oxygen triangles (in Al-substituted sites of Al-terminated corundum surface) or isosceles oxygen triangle…

Symmetry and models of single-walled TiO2 nanotubes with rectangular morphology

Abstract The formalism of line symmetry groups for one-periodic (1D) nanostructures with rotohelical symmetry has been applied for symmetry analysis of single-walled titania nanotubes (SW TiO2 NTs) formed by rolling up the stoichiometric two-periodic (2D) slabs of anatase structure. Either six- or twelve-layer (101) slabs have been cut from TiO2 crystal in a stable anatase phase. After structural optimization, the latter keeps the centered rectangular symmetry of initial slab slightly compressed along a direction coincided with large sides of elemental rectangles. We have considered two sets of SW TiO2 NTs with optimized six- and twelve-layer structures, which possess chiralities (−n, n) an…

A comparative study of Ag and Cu adhesion on an MgO(001) surface

Abstract Ab initio calculations were performed on 2D slab models of copper and silver adhesion on a perfect MgO(001) surface using density functional theory (DFT) combined with the localized atomic wave functions, as implemented in both CRYSTAL-98 and CRYSTAL-03 computer codes. To clarify the nature of the interfacial bonding, we consider slab models of the Ag/MgO(001) and Cu/MgO(001) interfaces with six different substrate coverages, varied from 1 4 monolayer (ML) up to 2 ML. The dependence of several key interface properties on the substrate coverage is analyzed. For all coverages, the most favorable sites for the adsorption of metal atoms are found to be above the surface O 2− ions, wher…

First-principles calculations on double-walled inorganic nanotubes with hexagonal chiralities

The two sets of commensurate double-walled boron nitride and titania hexagonally-structured nanotubes (DW BN and TiO2 NTs) possessing either armchair- or zigzag-type chiralities have been considered, i.e., (n1,n1)@(n2,n2) or (n1,0)@(n2,0), respectively. For symmetry analysis of these nanotubes, the line symmetry groups for one-periodic (1D) nanostructures with rotohelical symmetry have been applied. To analyze the structural and electronic properties of hexagonal DW NTs, a series of large-scale ab initio DFT-LCAO calculations have been performed using the hybrid Hartree-Fock/Kohn-Sham exchange-correlation functional PBE0 (as implemented in CRYSTAL-09 code). To establish the optimal inter-sh…