The microscopic theory of diffusion-controlled defect aggregation

Abstract The kinetics of diffusion-controlled aggregation of primary Frenkel defects ( F and H centers) in irradiated CaF 2 crystals is theoretically studied. Microscopic theory is based on the discrete-lattice formalism for the single defect densities (concentrations) and the coupled joint densities of similar and dissimilar defects treated in terms of the Kirkwood superposition approximation. Conditions and dynamics of the efficient F center aggregation during crystal heating after irradiation are analyzed.

Atomic and electronic structure of the corundum (0001) surface: comparison with surface spectroscopies

Abstract The electronic structure and geometry of the Al-terminated corundum (0001) surface were studied using a slab model within the ab-initio Hartree-Fock technique. The distance between the top Al plane and the next O basal plane is found to be considerably reduced on relaxation (by 0.57 A, i.e. by 68% of the corresponding interlayer distance in the bulk). An interpretation of experimental photoelectron spectra (UPS He I) and metastable impact electron spectra (MIES) is given using the calculated total density of states of the slab and the projections to the atoms, atomic orbitals, and He 1s floating atomic orbital at different positions above the surface. Calculated projected densities…

Anomalous Kinetics of Diffusion-Controlled Defect Annealing in Irradiated Ionic Solids

The authors thanks A. Ch. Lushchik, M. Izerrouken, and V. Lisitsyn for stimulating discussions. 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 views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. R.V. acknowledges the financial support by the MEIC (Ministerio de Economa, Industria y Competitivad; Project ENE2015-70300-C3-1-R). The calculations were performed using facilities of the Stuttgart Supercomputer Center (Project DEFTD 12939).

Hybrid DFT calculations of the atomic and electronic structure for ABO3 perovskite (001) surfaces

Abstract We present the results of first-principles calculations on two possible terminations of the (0 0 1) surfaces of SrTiO3, BaTiO3, and PbTiO3 perovskite crystals. Atomic structure and the electronic configurations were calculated for different 2D slabs, both stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric, using hybrid (B3PW) exchange-correlation technique and re-optimized basis sets of atomic (Gaussian) orbitals. Results are compared with previous calculations and available experimental data. The electronic density distribution near the surface and covalency effects are discussed in details for all three perovskites. Both SrTiO3 and BaTiO3 (0 0 1) surfaces demonstrate reduction of the optical …

ATOMISTIC CALCULATIONS OF (110) SURFACE RELAXATION FOR PEROVSKITE TITANATES

Using a shell model, for the first time the (110) surface relaxations are calculated for SrTiO 3 and BaTiO 3 perovskites. The positions of atoms in 16 near-surface layers placed atop a slab of rigid ions are calculated. Strong surface rumpling and surface-induced dipole moments perpendicular to the surface are predicted for both the O-terminated and Ti-terminated surfaces.

Ab initio modelling of UN grain boundary interfaces

The uranium mononitride (UN) is a material considered as a promising candidate for Generation-IV nuclear reactor fuels. Unfortunately, oxygen in air affects UN fuel performance and stability. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the mechanism of oxygen adsorption and further UN oxidation in the bulk and at surface. Recently, we performed a detailed study on oxygen interaction with UN surface using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We were able to identify an atomistic mechanism of UN surface oxidation consisting of several important steps, starting with the oxygen molecule dissociation and finishing with oxygen atom incorporation into vacancies on the surface. However, in re…

Use of site symmetry in supercell models of defective crystals: Polarons in CeO2

The authors thank R. Merkle and G. W. Watson for stimulating discussions. E. K. also acknowledges partial financial support from the Russian Science Foundation for the study of charged defects under the project 14-43-00052. A. C. also acknowledges financial support from the University of Latvia Foundation (Arnis Riekstins's "MikroTik" donation). E. K. and D. G. express their gratitude to the High Performance Computer Centre in Stuttgart (HLRS, project DEFTD 12939) for the provided computer facilities whereas R. A. E. thanks the St. Petersburg State University Computer Center for assistance in high-performance calculations.

A First-Principles Study of the Ag/a-Al2O3(0001) Interface

Ab initio simulations of the Ag/a-Al2O3(0001) interface have been performed for periodic slab models. We have considered Al- and O-terminated corundum surfaces, low and high substrate coverages by silver, as well as the two preferred Ag adsorption sites. The two different terminations give rise to qualitatively different results: silver physisorption on the Al-terminated substrate and chemisorption on O-terminated one. The latter could be treated as a possible model for the defective Al-terminated substrate, where the outermost aluminium ions are removed (completely or partly). This makes O-terminated surface highly reactive towards a deposited metal, in order to restore initial corundum st…

Small radius electron and hole polarons in PbX2 (X = F, Cl, Br) crystals: a computational study

First-principles hybrid density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed for small radius polarons – self-trapped electrons (STELs) and holes (STHs) in PbX2 (X = F, Cl, Br) crystals, widely used as parent materials for inorganic halide perovskites (CsPbX3) and scintillators. The atomic and electronic structures, spin and charge distributions and formation energies for both types of polarons were predicted for orthorhombic PbF2 and STELs for cubic PbF2. The STH structure was identified in a controversial case of PbCl2. We also confirmed and analyzed in detail experimentally suggested configurations for other cases. It is shown how, due to a delicate balance of ionic and covalent c…

Microscopic theory of colloid formation in solids under irradiation

Results of the first-principles study of diffusion-controlled aggregation of Frenkel defects-interstitial atoms-under irradiation of solids are presented. Conditions of the efficient radiation-induced aggregation of vacancies and interstitials are studied and the scenario of this process is presented.

First-principles comparative study of perfect and defective CsPbX3 (X = Br, I) crystals

We thank R. Merkle for numerous fruitful discussions and G. Siegle for experimental assistance. This study was partly supported by the M-ERA-NET project SunToChem (EK). Calculations were performed using computational facilities of St. Petersburg State University and Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research. Open Access funding provided by the Max Planck Society.

Atomic and Electronic Structure of the Corundum (0001) Surface

AbstractThe electronic structure and geometry of the Al terminated corundum (0001) surface were studied using a slab model within the ab-initio Hartree-Fock technique. The distance between the top Al plane and the next O basal plane is found to be considerably reduced on relaxation (by 0.57 Å, i.e. by 68% of the corresponding interlayer distance in the bulk). An interpretation of experimental photoelectron spectra (UPS Hel) and metastable impact electron spectra (MIES) is given. Calculated projected densities of states exhibit a strong dependence on the relaxation of surface atoms.

Quantum chemical calculations of the electron center diffusion in MgO crystals

Large-scale quantum chemical simulations of the diffusion hops of empty cation and anion vacancies, as well as F + and F centers in MgO crystals have been done. The atomic configurations for 224-site cluster and charge density distribution are analyzed for the equilibrium and saddle-point configurations during the defect hops. The relevant activation energy for diffusion increases monotonically in the series V a → F + → F center.

Ab initio thermodynamic study of (Ba,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3 perovskite solid solutions for fuel cell applications

(Ba,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3 (BSCF) perovskite solid solutions are promising materials for solid oxide fuel cell cathodes and oxygen permeation membranes. Cathode performance strongly depends on the morphology of these materials remaining as a single phase or two-phase mixture. Combining ab initio calculations of the atomic and electronic structure of different supercells with thermodynamics of solid solutions, we have constructed and discussed phase diagrams of several important BSCF chemical compositions. It is demonstrated that in BSC cobaltite solid solution the spinodal decomposition may occur already at relatively low temperatures, while ferrite (BSF and SCF) solid solutions decompose at relative…

Ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations of LaMnO3 (110) surfaces

We present the results of ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations of the LaMnO3 (110) surface. Using seven-plane slabs, periodic in 2D and containing three formula units, we compare the properties of a stoichiometric surface with oxygen vacancies, and non-stoichiometric, defect-free surfaces, analyze the dispersion of the effective charges near the surface, and calculate the surface energy before and after relaxation, for both ferromagnetric and antiferromagnetic spin orderings in a slab. q 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Impact of point defects on the elastic properties of BaZrO3: Comprehensive insight from experiments and ab initio calculations

Abstract Acceptor doped BaZrO3 is the prototype of proton conducting perovskites which are of strong interest as electrolytes for intermediate temperature fuel cells. Elastic properties of both dry and hydrated Y-doped BaZrO3 (1.5–17 mol% Y) were determined using ultrasound time of flight (TOF) measurements, and complemented by ab initio calculations which allow for an analysis of the different contributions. The experimental and theoretical findings are consistent and reveal a strong decrease of the Young's, shear and bulk moduli upon increasing dopant concentration. This decrease is attributed to a combined effect of (i) macroscopic lattice chemical expansion mainly caused by differing io…

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 …

Atomistic simulation of SrTiO3 and BaTiO3 (110) surface relaxations

Abstract The (110) surface relaxations were calculated for SrTiO 3 and BaTiO 3 perovskites in a cubic phase. Using a shell model, the positions of atoms in 16 near- surface layers placed atop a slab of rigid ions are calculated. The strong surface rumpling and induced surface dipole moments perpendicular to the surface are predicted for both the O-terminated and TiO-terminated surfaces.

Large scale computer modelling of point defects in ABO 3 perovskites

We present results for basic intrinsic defects: F-type electron centers, free and bound electron and hole polarons in ABO3 perovskites. Both one-site (atomic) and two-site (molecular) hole polarons are expected to coexist, characterized by close absorption energies. Shell Model (SM) and intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) calculations of the F center diffusion indicate that the relevant activation energy is quite low, ca. 0.8 eV. Further INDO calculations support the existence of self-trapped electron polarons in PbTiO3, BaTiO3, KNbO3, and KTaO3 crystals. The relevant lattice relaxation energies are typically 0.2 eV, whereas the optical absorption energies are around 0.8 eV.…

Ab Initio Thermodynamics of Oxygen Vacancies and Zinc Interstitials in ZnO.

ZnO is an important wide band gap semiconductor with potential application in various optoelectronic devices. In the current contribution, we explore the thermodynamics of oxygen vacancies and zinc interstitials in ZnO from first-principles phonon calculations. Formation enthalpies are evaluated using hybrid DFT calculations, and phonons are addressed using the PBE and the PBE+U functionals. The phonon contribution to the entropy is most dominant for oxygen vacancies, and their Gibbs formation energy increases when including phonons. Finally, inclusion of phonons decreases the Gibbs formation energy difference of the two defects and is therefore important when predicting their equilibrium c…

Stabilization of primary mobile radiation defects in MgF2 crystals

Abstract Non-radiative decay of the electronic excitations (excitons) into point defects ( F – H pairs of Frenkel defects) is main radiation damage mechanism in many ionic (halide) solids. Typical time scale of the relaxation of the electronic excitation into a primary, short-lived defect pair is about 1–50 ps with the quantum yield up to 0.2–0.8. However, only a small fraction of these primary defects are spatially separated and survive after transformation into stable, long-lived defects. The survival probability (or stable defect accumulation efficiency) can differ by orders of magnitude, dependent on the material type; e.g. ∼10% in alkali halides with f.c.c. or b.c.c. structure, 0.1% in…

Ab initio simulation of (Ba,Sr)TiO3 and (Ba,Ca)TiO3 perovskite solid solutions

Abstract The results of ab initio (first-principles) computations of structural, elastic and piezoelectric properties of Ba(1−x)SrxTiO3 (BSTO) and Ba(1−x)CaxTiO3 (BCTO) perovskite solid solutions are presented, discussed and compared. Calculations are performed with the CRYSTAL14 computer code within the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) approximation, using advanced hybrid functionals of the density-functional-theory (DFT). Supercell model allows us to simulate solid solutions with different chemical compositions (x = 0, 0.125 and 0.25) within ferroelectric tetragonal phases (x

Quantum chemical simulations of the optical properties and diffusion of electron centres in mgo crystals

Semiempirical quantum chemical simulations have been undertaken to obtain the self-consistent atomic and electronic structure of the two basic electron defects in MgO crystals: F+ and F centres (one and two electrons trapped by an 0 vacancy, V,). The calculated absorption and luminescence energies agree well with the experimental data; the excited states of both defects are found to be essentially delocalised over nearest-neighbour cations. The activation energy for diffusion is found to increase monotonically in a series V, --f F+ --f F centre (2.50 eV, 2.72 eV and 3.13 eV, respectively).

The Kinetics of Correlated Annealing of F, I Centres in KBr Crystals

Hydrogen induced metallization of ZnO (11̅00) surface: Ab initio study

Abstract Results of first principles hybrid calculations are presented for hydrogen atoms adsorbed upon non-polar ZnO (1100) surface. The energy of surface atomic relaxation, H adsorption energy, electronic density redistribution and modification of the electronic structure are discussed. It is shown that hydrogen is adsorbed mainly on the surface oxygen ions and forms a strong bonding with them (2.7 eV). Adsorption of hydrogen on the surface zinc ions is energetically unfavorable (− 4.4 eV). It also shown that surface hydrogen atoms are very shallow donors, thus, contributing to the electronic conductivity, and ZnO metallization.

Theoretical and Experimental Study of (Ba,Sr)TiO 3 Perovskite Solid Solutions and BaTiO 3 /SrTiO 3 Heterostructures

This study was supported by the ERA-NET HarvEnPiez project. The authors would like to thank their national funding agencies (Latvian State Education Development Agency, Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation, CCCDI-UEFISCDI, project number 49/2016 within PNCDI III – M-ERA NET Program).

Statistical characterization of self-assembled charged nanoparticle structures

We propose a novel approach for description of dynamics of nanostructure formation for a system consisting of oppositely charged particles. The combination of numerical solution of analytical Bogolyubov–Born–Green–Kirkwood–Yvon (BBGKY) type equation set with reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) method allows us to overcome difficulties of standard approaches, such as kinetic Monte Carlo or Molecular Dynamics, to describe effects of long-range Coulomb interactions. Moreover, this allows one to study the system dynamics on realistic time and length scales. We applied this method to a simple short-range Lenard–Jones (LJ)-like three- (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) system combining the long-range Coulomb an…

First principles calculations of oxygen vacancy formation and migration in mixed conducting Ba0.5Sr0.5Co1−yFeyO3−δ perovskites

Abstract First-principles supercell calculations of oxygen vacancies in the Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 1− y Fe y O 3− δ (BSCF) perovskites are presented. The density of states is determined for different iron content and oxygen vacancy concentrations, and the characteristic differences for Co and Fe are discussed. We analyze the dependences of the defect (oxygen vacancy) formation and migration energies on the Fe content and compare the calculated properties with those of related LaCoO 3 and LaFeO 3 perovskites.

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.

Quantum chemical simulations of bound hold polarons (V Mg centers) in corundum crystals

The semi-empirical INDO method has been applied to the calculations of the bound hole small-radius polarons in corundum. Results for optimized atomic and electronic structure using two different approaches (molecular cluster and periodic, supercell model) are critically compared. Both models find that two-site configurations of bound hole polarons have the lowest energy (which does not exclude existence of one-site polarons also characterized by essential relaxation energies). Experimental ENDOR data on V Mg defects are discussed in the light of the calculations.

First-principles calculations of iodine-related point defects in CsPbI3

Many thanks to A. Lushchik, A. Popov and R. Merkle for numerous fruitful discussions. This study was partly supported by the Latvian Council for Science (grant LZP-2018/1-0147 to EK). R.A.E acknowledges the assistance of the University Computer Center of Saint-Petersburg State University for high-performance computations.

Kinetic Monte Carlo modeling of Y2O3 nano-cluster formation in radiation resistant matrices

This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 under grant agreement No 633053. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.

Electronic Properties of Layered Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 Heterostructure: Ab initio Hybrid Density Functional Calculations

Ab initio calculations of the BST heterostructure with equiatomic constituent of Sr and Ba species has been carried out within hybrid functional B3PW involving a hybrid of non-local Fock exchange and Becke's gradient corrected exchange functional combined with the non-local gradient corrected correlation potential by Perdew and Wang. The suggested scheme of calculations reproduces experimental lattice parameters of both pure BaTiO3 and SrTiO3. The calculated optical band gap for the pure SrTiO3 (BaTiO3) is 3.56 (3.46) eV (expt. 3.25 and 3.20 eV, respectively), i.e. agreement is much better than in the standard LDA or HF calculations. In the Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 solid solution the gap is reduced b…

Theoretical Simulations of Surface Relaxation for Perovskite Titanates

The (100) and (110) surface relaxations are calculated for SrTiO3 and BaTiO3 perovskite thin films Using a semiempirical shell model, the positions of atoms in 16 near-surface layers placed atop a slab of rigid ions are calculated. Surface rumpling and surface-induced dipole moments perpendicular to the surface are calculated for different surface terminations. Surface relaxation is found much larger for the (110) surface. Our results for the (100) surfaces are compared with ab initio calculations and LEED experiments.

Computer modelling of radiation damage in cation sublattice of corundum

Results of quantum chemical computer simulations of close Frenkel defects in corundum crystals are presented and discussed. The conclusion is drawn that the energy barrier for a back recombination up to fourth nearest neighbours is less than 0.3 eV, i.e. such pairs should be unstable at temperatures above 40 K.

Ab initio study of the F centers in CaF2: Calculations of the optical absorption, diffusion and binding energies

Abstract The ground electronic state of the F center in CaF 2 crystal, its optical absorption energy, the activation energy of thermal diffusion and M center dissociation to pair of F centers are calculated using the Hartree-Fock embedded molecular cluster method. Different pseudopotentials, basis sets, boundary conditions and two computer codes, EMBED96 and Gaussian94, are employed and their results compared.

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…

Interdependence of Oxygenation and Hydration in Mixed-Conducting (Ba,Sr)FeO3-δPerovskites Studied by Density Functional Theory

Financial support by the German–Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development (grant I-1342-302.5/2016) and the Latvian Council of Science (grant lzp-2018/1-0147 (D.G., E.A.K.)) is gratefully acknowledged. The authors further thank Guntars Zvejnieks for help with CRYSTAL code calculations.

First-principles calculations of the atomic and electronic structure ofFcenters in the bulk and on the (001) surface ofSrTiO3

The atomic and electronic structure, formation energy, and the energy barriers for migration have been calculated for the neutral O vacancy point defect F center in cubic SrTiO3 employing various implementations of density functional theory DFT. Both bulk and TiO2-terminated 001 surface F centers have been considered. Supercells of different shapes containing up to 320 atoms have been employed. The limit of an isolated single oxygen vacancy in the bulk corresponds to a 270-atom supercell, in contrast to commonly used supercells containing 40– 80 atoms. Calculations carried out with the hybrid B3PW functional show that the F center level approaches the conduction band bottom to within 0.5 eV…

Thermal annealing of radiation damage produced by swift 132Xe ions in MgO single crystals

Abstract The annealing kinetics of the electron-type F+ and F color centers in highly pure MgO single crystals irradiated by 0.23-GeV 132Xe ions with fluences covering three orders of magnitude (Φ = 5 × 1011 –3.3 × 1014 ions/cm2) are studied experimentally via dependence of the optical absorption on preheating temperature. The annealing data are analyzed in terms of the diffusion-controlled bimolecular reactions between F-type centers and complementary interstitial oxygen ions. The behavior of the main kinetic parameters – the migration energies and pre-exponential factors – for different irradiation fluences is discussed and compared with that for other wide-gap binary materials from previ…

Surface termination effects on the oxygen reduction reaction rate at fuel cell cathodes

This research was partly funded by the Latvian project IMIS2 with the computer resources provided by the High Performance Computing Centre Stuttgart (HLRS) (Project DEFTD 12939). The authors thank D. Gryaznov for fruitful discussions and M. Sokolov for technical assistance. MMK is grateful to the Office of the Director of National Science Foundation for support under the Independent Research and Development program. The ndings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reect the views of NSF and other funding agencies.

First‐principles modelling of defects in advanced nuclear fuels

In this paper we present and discuss the results of first first-principle modelling of point defects in nitride nuclear fuels. Calculations have been performed using the VASP computer code combined with supercells containing up to 250 atoms. The effective atomic charges, the electronic density redistribution, atomic displacements around U and N vacancies and their formation energies are discussed. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Evidence for the formation of two types of oxygen interstitials in neutron-irradiated α-Al2O3 single crystals

Authors are indebted to R. Vila for stimulating discussions. Tis work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014–2018 and 2019–2020 under Grant agreement No 633053. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily refect those of the European Commission. In addition, the research leading to these results has received funding from the Latvian grant LZP-2018/1-0147 (EV). Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence is supported through the Framework Program for European universities Union Horizon 2020, H2020-WIDESPREAD-01–2016–2017-TeamingP…

First principles calculations of (Ba,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3−δ structural stability

Abstract First principles total-energy calculations of an ideal BSCF perovskite-type solid solution, the crystal containing basic point defects, and a set of relevant solid–solid solutions are presented. Our DFT modeling of defects (Frenkel, Schottky and cation exchange) and disordering in the BSCF perovskites reveals that the material tends to decompose at relatively low temperatures into a mixture of new perovskite and oxide phases. These new phases are likely to appear at grain boundaries and surface interfaces. This instability is predicted to negate advantages of fast oxygen transport chemistry and impede the applicability of BSCF-based SOFC and ceramic permeation membranes. We discuss…

The electronic properties of an oxygen vacancy at ZrO2-terminated (001) surfaces of a cubic PbZrO3: computer simulations from the first principles

Combining B3PW hybrid exchange-correlation functional within the density functional theory (DFT) and a supercell model, we calculated from the first principles the electronic structure of both ideal PbZrO(3) (001) surface (with ZrO(2)- and PbO-terminations) and a neutral oxygen vacancy also called the F center. The atomic relaxation and electronic density redistributions are discussed. Thermodynamic analysis of pure surfaces indicates that ZrO(2) termination is energetically more favorable than PbO-termination. The O vacancy on the ZrO(2)-surface attracts approximately 0.3 e (0.7 e in the bulk PbZrO(3)), while the remaining electron density from the missing O(2-) ion is localized mostly on …

First-principles and semiempirical calculations forFcenters inKNbO3

The linear muffin-tin-orbital method combined with density functional theory (local approximation) and the semiempirical method of the intermediate neglect of the differential overlap (INDO) based on the Hartree-Fock formalism are used for the study of the $F$ centers (O vacancy with two electrons) in cubic and orthorhombic ferroelectric KNbO$_3$ crystals. Calculations for 39-atom supercells show that the two electrons are considerably delocalized even in the ground state of the defect. Their wave functions extend over the two Nb atoms closest to the O vacancy and over other nearby atoms. Thus, the $F$ center in KNbO$_3$ resembles electron defects in the partially-covalent SiO$_2$ crystal (…

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…

Confinement effects for ionic carriers in SrTiO3 ultrathin films: first-principles calculations of oxygen vacancies.

One-dimensional confinement effects are modelled within the hybrid HF-DFT LCAO approach considering neutral and single-charged oxygen vacancies in SrTiO(3) ultrathin films. The calculations reveal that confinement effects are surprisingly short-range in this partly covalent perovskite; already for film thickness of 2-3 nm (and we believe, similar size nanoparticles) only the surface-plane defect properties differ from those in the bulk. This includes a pronounced decrease of the defect formation energy (by ∼1 eV), a much deeper defect band level and a noticeable change in the electronic density redistribution at the near-surface vacancy site with respect to that in the bulk. The results als…

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

Calculations of the geometry and optical properties ofFMgcenters and dimer (F2-type) centers in corundum crystals

CALCULATIONS OF THE GEOMETRY AND OPTICAL-PROPERTIES OF F-MG CENTERS AND DIMER (F-2-TYPE) CENTERS IN CORUNDUM CRYSTALS

Jahn-Teller distortion aroundFe4+inSr(FexTi1−x)O3−δfrom x-ray absorption spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and vibrational spectroscopy

$\mathrm{Sr}({\mathrm{Fe}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ti}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}){\mathrm{O}}_{3\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}$ perovskites (strontium titanate ferrite solid solution) with well-defined oxygen stoichiometry have been studied as a function of iron concentration by x-ray diffraction, Fe and Ti $K$-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and vibrational (Raman and infrared) spectroscopy. In reduced $\mathrm{Sr}({\mathrm{Fe}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ti}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}){\mathrm{O}}_{3\ensuremath{-}x∕2}$ samples, the analysis of the Fe $K$-edge extended x-ray absorption fine structure indicates the expected presence of oxygen vacancies ${\mathrm{V}}_{\mathrm{O}}^{∙∙}$ in the first coordination shell…

Hartree - Fock simulation of the Ag/MgO interface structure

The atomic and electronic structure of the Ag/MgO interface are calculated using an ab initio Hartree - Fock computer code and a supercell model of a silver monolayer atop three layers of MgO substrate. The band structure, electronic density distribution and densities of states are analysed in detail for isolated and interacting slabs of a metal and MgO. The energetically most favoured adsorption position for Ag atoms is found to be above the O atoms, with the binding energy of 0.20 eV and the equilibrium Ag - O distance of 2.64 A. Neither appreciable charge transfer in the interfacial region, nor considerable population of bonds between the silver monolayer and the insulating substrate tak…

Quantum chemical modelling of electron polarons and excitons in ABO3perovskites

Quantum chemical calculations using the intermediate neglect of the differential overlap (INDO) method, combined with the large unit cell periodic model argue for an existence of the self-trapped electrons in KNbO3 and KTaO3 perovskite crystals. An electron in the ground state occupies predominantly t2g orbital of a Nb4+ ion. Its orbital degeneracy is lifted by a combination of the breathing and Jahn-Teller modes where four nearest equatorial O atoms are displaced outwards and two oxygens shift inwards along the z axis. Triplet exciton is shown to be in a good approximation of a pair of nearest Jahn-Teller electron and hole polarons (a bipolaron) which is very likely responsible for the `gr…

Atomic scale DFT simulations of point defects in uranium nitride

Atomic scale density functional calculations are used to predict the behaviour of defects in uranium mononitride (UN). Two different density functional codes (VASP and CASTEP) were employed with supercells containing from 8 to 250 atoms (providing a significant range of defect concentrations). Schottky and nitrogen Frenkel point defect formation energies, local lattice relaxations and overall lattice parameter change, as well as the defect induced electronic density redistribution, are discussed.

Calculations of atomic and electronic structure for (100) surfaces of SrTiO3 perovskite

AbstractWe present and discuss main results of the calculations for the surface relaxation and rumpling of SrTiO3 surfaces with TiO2 and SrO terminations using a wide variety of methods of modern computational physics and chemistry, including the shell model (SM) and ab initio methods based on Hartree-Fock (HF) and Density Functional Theory (DFT). The HF and DFT formalisms with different exchange-correlation functionals are implemented into Crystal-98 computer code using a Gaussian-type basis set. We demonstrate that a hybrid B3PW formalism gives the best results for the bulk SrTiO3 properties. Results are compared with previous ab initio plane-wave LDA calculations and LEED experiments. Ou…

Dopant solubility in ceria: alloy thermodynamics combined with the DFT+U calculations

This research was partly funded by the Russian Science Foundation (under the project 14-43-0005) and ERA-NET HarvEnPiez project, with the computer resources provided by Stuttgart Supercomputing Centre (Project DEFTD 12939). A. C. also acknowledges financial support from the University of Latvia Foundation (Arnis Riekstins’s ‘‘MikroTik’’ donation). Authors thank R. Merkle, A. Popov for fruitful discussions.

Nanosession: Ionics - Redox Kinetics, Ion Transport, and Interfaces

The Structural Disorder and Lattice Stability of (Ba,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3 Complex Perovskites

The structural disorder and lattice stability of complex perovskite (Ba,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3, a promising cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells and oxygen permeation membranes, is explored by means of first principles DFT calculations. It is predicted that Ba and Sr ions easily exchange their lattice positions (A-cation disorder) similarly to Co and Fe ions (B-cation disorder). The cation antisite defects (exchange of A- and B-type cations) also have the low formation energy. The BSCF is predicted to exist in an equilibrium mixture of several phases and can decompose exothermically into the Ba- and Co-rich hexagonal (Ba,Sr)CoO3 and Sr- and Fe-rich cubic (Ba,Sr)FeO3 perovskites.

Peculiarities of the diffusion-controlled radiation defect accumulation kinetics under high fluencies

We are grateful to A. Lushchik and E. Shablonin for numerous and valuable discussions. This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 and 2019-2020 under grant agreement No 633053. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. The raw/processed data required to reproduce these findings cannot be shared at this time as the data also forms part of an ongoing study.

Oxygen Incorporation Reaction into Mixed Conducting Perovskites: a Mechanistic Analysis for (La,Sr)MnO3 Based on DFT Calculations

Based on DFT calculations of intermediates and transition states, several hypothetical mechanisms for oxygen incorporation into mixed conducting La1-xSrxMnO3{plus minus}d perovskites are discussed. In the most probable mechanism, the rate-determining step comprises the encounter of a highly mobile surface oxygen vacancy and a molecular oxygen adsorbate. Starting from these results, the variation of reaction rates for different materials is explored.

Ab initiocalculations of theFcenters in MgF2bulk and on the (001) surface

We present and discuss the results of atomic and electronic structure calculations of the F centers in MgF2 bulk and on the (001) surface. The calculations are based on the B3PW Hartree–Fock and density functional theory hybrid exchange-correlation functional. Most of the electronic density of a missing fluorine ion is localized in the bulk vacancy and a little bit less—in a surface vacancy. It is shown that the electronic F center is a deep donor. The lattice distortion and defect formation energy on the neutral (001) surface and in the bulk are also compared.

Calculations of F centers in KNbO 3 ferroelectric crystals

Semi-empirical method of the intermediate neglect of the differential overlap (INDO) combined with the supercell model is applied to the calculations of the F center optical properties in ferroelectric KNbO 3 perovskite crystals. It is shown that two electrons of the defect are weakly localized inside the O vacancy, unlike similar defects in ionic alkali halides, but are considerably spread over two nearest Nb atoms. For the orthorhombic phase stable at room temperatures three absorption bands are predicted to be at 2.72 eV, 3.04 eV and 3.11 eV, respectively. The first energy is close to the band at 2.7 eV observed in electron- irradiated crystals. In the high temperature, cubic phase only …

The Two Types of Oxygen Interstitials in Neutron‐Irradiated Corundum Single Crystals: Joint Experimental and Theoretical Study

First-principles calculations for SrTiO3() surface structure

As a continuation of our recent abinitio calculations of SrTiO 3(1 0 0) surface relaxation for the two different terminations (SrO and TiO2) [Phys. Rev. B 64 (2001) 23417], we analyze here their electronic structures (band structure, density of states, and the electronic density redistribution with emphasis on the covalency effects). We compare results of abinitio Hartree–Fock method with electron correlation corrections and density functional theory with different exchange-correlation functionals, including hybrid (B3PW, B3LYP) exchange techniques. Our results are also compared with previous abinitio plane-wave local density approximation calculations and experiments when availab le. Consi…

Ab initiomodeling of surface structure forSrTiO3perovskite crystals

We present and discuss the results of calculations of ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ (100) surface relaxation and rumpling with two different terminations (SrO and ${\mathrm{TiO}}_{2}).$ These are based on ab initio Hartree-Fock method with electron correlation corrections and density functional theory calculations with different exchange-correlation functionals, including hybrid exchange techniques. Both approaches use the localized Gaussian-type basis set. All methods agree well on surface energies and on atomic displacements, as well as on considerable increase of covalency effects nearby the surface. More detailed experiments on surface rumpling and relaxation are necessary for further testing …

Ab initio calculations of pure and Co+2-doped MgF2 crystals

This research was partly supported by the Kazakhstan Science Project № AP05134367«Synthesis of nanocrystals in track templates of SiO2/Si for sensory, nano- and optoelectronic applications», as well as by Latvian Research Council project lzp-2018/1-0214. Calculations were performed on Super Cluster (LASC) in the Institute of Solid State Physics (ISSP) of the University of Latvia. Authors are indebted to S. Piskunov for stimulating discussions.

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…

Interpretation of the U L3-edge EXAFS in uranium dioxide using molecular dynamics and density functional theory simulations

X-ray absorption spectroscopy is employed to study the local structure of pure and Cr-doped UO2 at 300 K. The U L3-edge EXAFS spectrum is interpreted within the multiplescattering (MS) theory using the results of the classical and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, allowing us to validate the accuracy of theoretical models. The Cr K-edge XANES is simulated within the full-multiple-scattering formalism considering a substitutional model (Cr at U site). It is shown that both unrelaxed and relaxed structures, produced by ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations, fail to describe the experiment.

Surface Segregation Entropy of Protons and Oxygen Vacancies in BaZrO3

The perovskite BaZrO3 has attracted considerable attention in the recent decade due to its high temperature proton conducting properties, and possible application as electrolyte in intermediate temperature fuel cells and electrolyzers. In this contribution, we performed, for the first time, first-principles calculations of the phonon contribution to the defect thermodynamics of the ZrO2 terminated (001) surface of BaZrO3. The approach allows us to determine both the segregation enthalpy and entropy of defects, which we apply to two fundamental defects in BaZrO3; fully charged oxygen vacancies (vO••) and protonic defects (OHO•). The calculations show that both defects exhibit favorable segre…

Atomistic Study of Surface Polarization in Superconducting Perovskites

AbstractWe simulated the surface relaxation of the cubic perovskite paraelectric SrTiO3 crystal. The atomic positions in ten near-surface layers placed into the electrostatic field of the remainder of the crystal were calculated. Two-dimensional, periodic slab model was combined with the pair potentials treated in terms of the shell-model. Our calculations show that Ti+4, Sr+2 and O−2 ions shift differently from their crystal sites. This leads to a creation of a dipole moment near the surface which might give the paraelectric crystal the ferroelectric properties.

Pattern Formation Kinetics for Charged Molecules on Surfaces: Microscopic Correlation Function Analysis

The kinetics of pattern formation and phase separation in a system of two types of oppositely charged molecules with competing short- and long-range interactions on surfaces/interfaces is studied combining three methods: a microscopic formalism of the joint correlation functions, reverse Monte Carlo, and nonequilibrium charge-screening factors. The molecular ordering occurs on the background of the Ostwald ripening and thus is strongly nonequilibrium. We have demonstrated how initial random distribution of molecules is changed for loose similar-molecule aggregates, with further reorganization into dense macroscopic domains of oppositely charged molecules. Pattern formation process is charac…

Theoretical Prediction and Experimental Confirmation of Charge Transfer Vibronic Excitons and Their Phase in ABO3 Perovskite Crystals

AbstractThe current theoretical and experimental knowledge of new polaronic-type excitons in ferroelectric oxides - charge transfer vibronic excitons (CTVE) is discussed. It is shown that quantum chemical Hartree-Fock-type calculations using a semiempirical Intermediate Neglect of Differential Overlap (INDO) method (modified for ionic/partly ionic solids) as well as photoluminescence studies in ferroelectric oxygen-octahedral perovskites confirm the CTVE existence. Our INDO calculations for KTaO3 and KNbO3 have demonstrated that the triplet exciton is a triad centre containing one active O atom and two Ta atoms sitting on the opposite sites from this O atom. The total energy of a system is …

<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

First-principles phonon calculations of Fe4+impurity in SrTiO3

The results of hybrid density functional theory calculations on phonons in Sr(Fe(x)Ti(1-x))O(3) solid solution within the formalism of a linear combination of atomic orbitals are presented. The phonon density of states (DOS) calculated for 6.25% Fe(4+) impurities is reported and defect-induced phonon modes are identified. Based on our calculations and group-theoretical analysis, we suggest for the first time an interpretation of experimentally observed Raman- and IR-active modes.

Manifestation of dipole-induced disorder in self-assembly of ferroelectric and ferromagnetic nanocubes

The authors thank Marjeta Maˇcek Kržmanc for many useful discussions. The financial support of M-ERA.NET Project Har-vEnPiez (Innovative nano-materials and architectures for integrated piezoelectric energy harvesting applications) is gratefully acknowledged. D.Z. acknowledges the support of the postdoctoral research program at the University of Latvia (Project No. 1.1.1.2/VIAA/1/16/072). The computing time of the LASC cluster was provided by the Institute of Solid State Physics (ISSP).

Ab initio calculations of the atomic and electronic structure of layered Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 structures

Abstract Understanding of the atomic and electronic structure of Ba c Sr 1 −  c TiO 3 (BST) solid solutions is important for several applications including the non-volatile ferroelectric memories (dynamic random access memory, DRAM). We present results of ab initio calculations of several spatial arrangements of Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 TiO 3 solid solutions based on DFT-HF B3PW hybrid method. We calculate the atomic and electronic structure, the effective charges, interatomic bond populations, the electronic density distribution, and densities of states for three layered structures with the same composition. The suggested method reproduces experimental lattice parameters of both pure BaTiO 3 and SrTi…

Hybrid DFT calculations of theFcenters in cubic ABO3perovskites

We employed the hybrid DFT-LCAO approach as implemented in the CRYSTAL code for 135 atom supercell calculations of O vacancies with trapped electrons (known as the F centers) in three cubic perovskite crystals: SrTiO3, PbTiO3 and PbZrO3. The local lattice relaxation, charge redistribution and defect energy levels in the optical gap are compared. We demonstrate how difference in a chemical composition of host materials leads to quite different defect properties.

Extraction–Pyrolytic Method for TiO2 Polymorphs Production

The authors thank V. Kuzovkov, A. Lushchik and M. Lushchik for many useful discussions. The research was (partly) performed in the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia ISSP UL. ISSP UL as the Center of Excellence is supported through the Framework Program for European universities Union Horizon 2020, H2020-WIDESPREAD-01–2016–2017-TeamingPhase2 under Grant Agreement No. 739508, CAMART2 project.

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…

Computer Modeling of Luminescence in ABO3 Perovskites

ABSTRACTWe suggest theoretical interpretation to a long-debated discussion on a nature of the intrinsic “green” luminescence observed in many ABO3 perovskites. For this purpose we performed quantum chemical calculations using the Intermediate Neglect of the Differential Overlap combined with the Large Unit Cell periodic model. Triplet exciton which is very likely responsible for the “green” luminescence is shown to be in a good approximation a pair of nearest Jahn-Teller electron and hole polarons (a bipolaron).

Computer modelling of point defects in ABO3 perovskites and MgO

We present results for basic intrinsic defects: F-type electron centers (O vacancy which trapped one or two electrons) and hole polarons bound to Mg or K vacancy in ionic MgO and partly covalent KNbO3 perovskite, respectively. We demonstrate that a considerable covalency of the perovskite chemical bonding makes the F-type centers therein much more similar to defects in partly-covalent quartz-type oxides rather than the conventional F centers in alkali halides and ionic MgO. Both one-site (atomic) and two-site (molecular) polarons are expected to coexist in KNbO3 characterized by close absorption energies. Our calculations confirm existence of the self-trapped electron polarons in KNbO3, KTa…

Interaction Between Oxygen and Yttrium Impurity Atoms as well as Vacancies in fcc Iron Lattice: Ab Initio Modeling

Synthesis of advanced radiation-resistant steels as construction materials for nuclear reactors, which contain the uniformly distributed yttria precipitates (ODS steels), is an important task for ecological security of nuclear plants. The initial stage of theoretical simulation on oxide cluster growth in the steel matrix is a large-scale ab initio modeling on pair- and triple-wise interaction between the Y and O impurity atoms as well as Fe vacancies, including their different combinations, in the paramagnetic face-centered-cubic (fcc) iron lattice. Calculations on the pair of Y atoms have shown that no bonding appears between them, whereas a certain attraction has been found between Y subs…

DFT study of a singleF center in cubic SrTiO3 perovskite

Various properties of a cubic phase of SrTiO3 perovskite containing single F centers (neutral oxygen vacancies), including energies of their formation and migration, were simulated using different formalisms of density functional theory (DFT) as implemented into CRYSTAL-2003 and VASP computer codes. The lattice relaxation around the F center was found to be sensitive to both shape and size of supercells used. The larger the supercell, the closer the defect energy level in the bandgap lies to the conduction band bottom. It approaches the optical ionization energy of 0.49 eV for 270- and 320-atom supercells, where the distance between neighboring defects increases up to four lattice constants…

Atomistic simulation of surface relaxation

The (001) surface relaxation of the cubic perovskite crystal has been studied using the shell model. The positions of atoms in several surface layers embedded in the electrostatic field of the remainder of the crystal are calculated. We show that , and ions in six near-surface layers are displaced differently from their crystalline sites which leads to the creation of so-called surface rumpling, a dipole moment, and an electric field in the near-surface region. Calculated atomic displacements are compared with LEED experimental data.

Ab initio calculations of MgF2 (001) and (011) surface structure

We present the results of calculations of surface relaxations, rumplings, and charge distribution for the MgF2 (0 0 1) and (0 1 1) surfaces using ab initio code Crystal-2003 and the hybrid exchange-correlation B3PW functional. These two neutral and polar surfaces show very small relaxation and negligible increase of covalent contribution to the chemical bonding thus remaining considerably ionic. The calculated bulk optical band gap is in a good agreement with the experimental value, whereas optical band gap for the polar (0 1 1) surface is reduced by 0.6 eV compared with the calculated bulk value, in contrast to the (0 0 1) surface gap which remains very close to the bulk.

The adhesion nature of the Ag/MgO(100) interface: an ab initio study

The atomic and electronic structure of the Ag/MgO(100) interface 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/distance are analyzed for different Ag adsorption positions, slabs of different thicknesses and varying Ag surface coverage. It is demonstrated that the adhesion energy arises mainly due to the electrostatic interaction of substrate atoms with a complicated charge redistribution in the metal layer(s), characterized by large quadrupole moments as well as electron density redistribution towards bridge and hollow positions between the nearest and next-nearest Ag atoms…

Water interaction with perfect and fluorine-doped Co3O4 (100) surface

Abstract We report the results of theoretical investigations of water adsorption on undoped and fluorine-doped Co3O4 (100) surface by means of the plane-wave periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations combined with the Hubbard-U approach and statistical thermodynamics. We discuss the effect of fluorine-doping of the Co3O4 (100) surface and calculated oxygen evolution reaction overpotential based on the Gibbs free-energy diagram of undoped and F-doped surfaces.

Kinetics of nanocavity formation based onF-center aggregation in thermochemically reduced MgO single crystals

Division of Materials Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, SC 13, U.S. Department of Energy, Germantown, Maryland 20874-1290~Received 9 February 2001; published 19 July 2001!The dynamics of interacting F centers resulting in F aggregates and nanocavities is modeled in thermo-chemically reduced MgO single crystals. We have recently shown that thermal annealing of thermochemicallyreduced MgO with an exceptionally high F-center concentration (6310

Semi-empirical calculations of the Nb-ion positions in doped crystals

The atomic and electronic structures of Nb impurities in doped perovskite KTaO3 crystals are calculated using the semi-empirical quantum chemical method of the intermediate neglect of the differential overlap (INDO) and a supercell model. When seven Ta ions are replaced by seven Nb ions, the latter clearly demonstrate self-ordering effects which are related to the experimentally observed impurity-induced phase transition. A single Nb impurity reveals an off-centre displacement which is very close to that found in XAFS experiments. The relevant energy gain is very small, approximately 0.0375 eV, which is much smaller than the Nb-clustering energy gain (0.12 eV). These results led us to the c…

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…

Thermodynamic stability of stoichiometric BiFeO3 : hybrid DFT study

The authors are greatly indebted to R. Dovesi, R. Orlando, R. Merkle, and J. Serra for many stimulating discussions. E. H. thanks also the Department of Physical Chemistry of the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research for long-term hospitality and support. This study was partly supported by the EC GREEN-CC FP7 project 608524. E. H., E. A. K. and A. A. B. acknowledge also the Russian Science Foundation for provided financial support through funding under the project 14-43-00052 for the analysis of the experimental literature on complex perovskite formation enthalpies, and the program of National Research Nuclear University "MEPhI" on improving the scientific competitiveness (A. A. B).…

Theoretical simulations of I-center annealing in KCl crystals

Abstract This paper focus on theory of diffusion-controlled annealing of the most mobile radiation-induced defects—I centers—in KCl crystals. The kinetics of annealing of pairs of close oppositely charged defects—α-I centers (arising as a result of the tunnelling recombination of primary Frenkel defects—F and H centers) and F-I centers (when H center trap electrons) is calculated taking into account defect diffusion and Coulomb/elastic interaction. Special attention is paid to the conditions under which multi-stage annealing arises; theoretical results are compared with the relevant experimental data.

First-principles and semi-empirical calculations for bound hole polarons in KNbO3

The ab initio linear muffin-tin-orbital (LMTO) formalism and the semi-empirical method of the Intermediate Neglect of the Differential Overlap (INDO) based on the Hartree-Fock formalism are combined for the study of the hole polarons (a hole trapped nearby the cation vacancy) in a cubic phase of KNbO3 perovskite crystals. The 40-atom and 320-atom supercells were used, respectively. We predict existence of both, one-site and two-site (molecular) polarons with close optical absorption energies (0.9 eV and 0.95 eV). The relevant experimental data are discussed.

First-Principles Modelling of N-Doped Co3O4

The project Nr. AP05131211 “First Principles Investigation on Catalytic Properties of N-doped Co3O4” is supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan within the framework of the grant funding for scientific and (or) scientific and technical research for 2018-2020. The authors thank T. Inerbaev and A. Popov for fruitful discussions and valuable suggestions. Yu.M. thanks M.Putnina for the technical assistance in preparation of the manuscript.

Discrete-lattice theory for Frenkel-defect aggregation in irradiated ionic solids

Institut fu ¨r Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie, Technische Universitat Braunschweig, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany~Received 11 September 1997; revised manuscript received 6 April 1998!A microscopic theory of diffusion-controlled aggregation of radiation Frenkel defects—called in ionic solidsH and F centers—is presented. This is based on a discrete-lattice formalism for the single defect densities~concentrations! and the coupled joint densities of similar and dissimilar defects treated in terms of a modifiedKirkwood superposition approximation. The kinetics of defect aggregation is studied in detail; the cooperativecharacter of this process for both types of complementary defects is sho…

Quantum-chemical simulations of free and bound hole polarons in corundum crystal

Abstract The semi-empirical method of the so-called intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) has been applied to the calculations of the hole small-radius polarons in corundum crystals. Results for optimized atomic and electronic structure using two different approaches (the molecular cluster and periodic, supercell model) are critically compared. It is shown that the main results are similar in both cases.

Kinetics of the electronic center annealing in Al2O3 crystals

Authors are greatly indebted to A. Ch. Lushchik, V. Kortov, M. Izerrouken and R.Vila for stimulating discussions. 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 views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. The calculations were performed using facilities of the Stuttgart Supercomputer Center (project DEFTD 12939 ).

Calculations of the ground and excited states ofF-type centers in corundum crystals

The semiempirical intermediate neglect of differential overlap method was used for calculating optical properties of ${\mathit{F}}^{+}$ and F centers (oxygen vacancy trapped one and two electrons, respectively) embedded into large quantum clusters, ${\mathrm{Al}}_{26}$${\mathrm{O}}_{39}$. The geometry was optimized for both the ground and excited states of defects. Calculated absorption and luminescence energies obtained for ${\mathit{F}}^{+}$ and F centers are in good agreement with experimental data. Their energy levels lie in the gap between the upper valence band and conduction band, like for similar centers in MgO and alkali halides. It is shown that the oxygen vacancy in corundum crys…

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 …

Pair and triple correlations in theA+B→Bdiffusion-controlled reaction

An exact solution for the one-dimensional kinetics of the diffusion-controlled reaction A+B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}B is obtained by means of the three-particle correlation functions. Because of a lattice discreteness each site could be occupied by a single particle only which leads to the so-called ``bus effect'': Recombination of any particle A is defined by a spatial configuration of two nearest particles B only surrounding A from its left and right. This results in the unusual algebraic decay law, n(t)\ensuremath{\propto}${\mathit{t}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, which asymptotically (as t\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}) does not depend on the trap B concentration.

Atomistic theory of mesoscopic pattern formation induced by bimolecular surface reactions between oppositely charged molecules

The kinetics of mesoscopic pattern formation is studied for a reversible A+B⇌0 reaction between mobile oppositely charged molecules at the interface. Using formalism of the joint correlation functions, non-equilibrium charge screening and reverse Monte Carlo methods, it is shown that labyrinth-like percolation structure induced by (even moderate-rate) reaction is principally non-steady-state one and is associated with permanently growing segregation of dissimilar reactants and aggregation of similar reactants into mesoscopic size domains. A role of short-range and long-range reactant interactions in pattern formation is discussed.

Quantum chemical modelling of point defects in KNbO3 perovskite crystals

Abstract We present results of semi-empirical quantum chemical calculations for several perovskite KNb x Ta 1−x O 3 (KTN) solid solutions, as well as point intrinsic defects – F centers and hole polarons bound to K vacancy – in KNbO 3 . Method of the intermediate neglect of the differential overlap (INDO) was combined with typically 320-atom supercells and atomic geometry optimization. Analysis of the optimized atomic and electronic structure has clearly demonstrated that several nearest Nb atoms substituting for Ta in KTaO 3 – unlike Ta impurities in KNbO 3 – reveal the self-ordering effect, which probably triggers the ferroelectricity observed in KTN. We predict co-existence of one-site (…

First-principles study of bulk and surface oxygen vacancies in SrTiO3 crystal

The structural and electronic properties of the neutral and positively charged oxygen vacancies (F and F + centres) in the bulk and on the (001) surfaces of SrTiO3 crystal are examined within the hybrid Hartree-Fock and density functional theory (HF-DFT) method based upon the linear combination of atomic orbital (LCAO) approach. A comparison of the formation energy for surface and bulk defects indicates a perceptible propensity for the segregation of neutral and charged vacancies to both SrO and TiO2 surface terminations with a preference in the latter case which is important for interpretation of space charge effects at ceramic interfaces. It is found that the vacancies reveal more shallow…

On the Way to Optoionics

Discussions with Michael Grätzel, Ursula Röthlisberger, Robert A. Evarestov and Bettina V. Lotsch are gratefully acknowledged.

Calculations of the Electronic and Atomic Structure and Diffusion of Point Defects in KNbO3 Perovskite Crystals and Relevant KTN Solid Solutions

AbstractIn this paper we review our recent achievements in large scale computer simulations of point defects in advanced perovskite crystals. We have calculated the defect migration energies in the KNbO3 cubic phase using quantum chemical method of the Intermediate Neglect of Differential Overlap (INDO) and classical shell model (SM). The migration energies for the O vacancy obtained by means of these two quite different methods are reasonably close (0.68 eV and 0.79 eV, respectively) and also agree with the only experimental estimate available (ca. 1 eV). Atomic relaxations calculated by these two methods also agree quite well. We used INDO method for a large-scale modeling of the atomic a…

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.

Photoconversion and dynamic hole recycling process in anion vacancies in neutron-irradiated MgO crystals

Optical spectroscopy and theory demonstrate that photon excitation of the positively charged anion vacancies (F{sup +} centers) at 5.0 eV in neutron-irradiated MgO crystals releases holes that are subsequently trapped at {ital V}-type centers, which are cation vacancies charge compensated by impurities, such as Al{sup 3+}, F{sup {minus}}, and OH{sup {minus}} ions. The concentration of trapped-hole centers was found to exceed that of available anion vacancies. The disproportionately large amount of holes produced is attributed to a dynamic recycling process, by which the F{sup +} center serves to release a hole to the {ital V}-type centers and subsequently trap a hole from an Fe{sup 3+} ion.…

Ab initio modeling of copper adhesion on regular BaTiO3(001) surfaces

Ab initio calculations have been performed for copper adsorption on a regular, defect-free TiO"2- and BaO-terminated (001) surfaces of a cubic BaTiO"3, using a posteriori HF-CC method as implemented into the CRYSTAL-03 computer code. To clarify the nature of the interfacial bonding, we use slab models of the Cu/BaTiO"3(001) interfaces with different one-side substrate coverages, varied from 1/8 monolayer (ML) up to 1/2 ML, over both TiO"2- and BaO-terminated surfaces. TiO"2 termination has been found to be energetically more favorable for the adsorption of copper atoms. In agreement with previous experimental and theoretical data, our calculations indicate essential contribution of atomic p…

Static and dynamic screening effects in the electrostatic self-assembly of nano-particles.

In the description of charge screening in the electrostatic self-assembly of nanoparticles (molecules) embedded into a polar solvent, the static screening effects (a contribution associated with the rapid spatial redistribution of small and highly mobile ions of a solvent) are traditionally treated phenomenologically, using the Yukawa short-range potential for describing the interaction between these particles. However, this model has a limited range of applicability being valid only for infinitely diluted systems and high salt concentrations. During a slow self-assembling process with nanoparticle formation, very dense structural elements (aggregates) are formed, in which the distances bet…

Nitrogen interstitial defects in silicon. A quantum mechanical investigation of the structural, electronic and vibrational properties

The vibrational features of eight interstitial nitrogen related defects in silicon have been investigated at the first principles quantum mechanical level by using a periodic supercell approach, a hybrid functionals, an all electron Gaussian type basis set and the Crystal code. The list includes defects that will be indicated as Ni (one N atom forming a bridge between two Si atoms), Ni-Ns (one interstitial and one substitutional N atom linked to the same Si atom), Ni-Ni (two Ni defects linked to the same couple of silicon atoms) and Ni-Sii-Ni (two Ni defects linked to the same interstitial silicon atom). Four 〈0 0 1〉 split interstitial (dumbbell) defects have also been considered, in which …

Adsorption of single Ag and Cu atoms on regular and defective MgO(001) substrates: an ab initio study

Abstract The DFT slab calculations were performed for Ag and Cu atoms adsorbed on both regular and defective MgO(0 0 1) substrates. Both metal atoms and surface O vacancies ( F s centers) were distributed uniformly with a concentration of one Ag, Cu or F s per 2×2 surface supercell. Surface O 2− ions are energetically more preferable for metal-atom adsorption on a regular substrate as compared to Mg 2+ ions. The nature of the interaction between Ag or Cu adatoms and a defectless MgO substrate is physisorption (despite the difference in the adsorption energies: 0.62 vs. 0.39 eV per Cu and Ag adatom, respectively). Above the F s centers, metal atoms are bounded much stronger when compared wit…

Experimental and theoretical studies of polaron optical properties in KNbO3 perovskite

Time-resolved absorption and luminescence spectra have been measured in KNbO3 perovskite crystals after pulsed band-gap excitation by 200 fs laser pulses and 10 ns electron pulses. Quantum chemical calculations using the large unit cell periodic model support the interpretation of the observed transient absorption bands at 0.8 and 1.1 eV as the self-trapped electron polarons and bound hole polarons, respectively. The activation energy for the 2.2 eV green luminescence quenching is 0.05 eV. We suggest that the short lifetime (,15 ns) of the luminescence at RT is caused by the radiative recombination of nearest electron and hole polarons. q 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DFT modelling of oxygen adsorption on the Ag-doped LaMnO3 (001) surface

This study was partly financed by the State Education Development Agency of the Republic of Latvia via the Latvian State Scholarship (A.A.) and Latvia-Ukraine Project (Grant LV-UA/2018/2 to E.K.). The work of T.I. is performed under the state assignment of IGM SB RAS. Also, this research was partly supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the framework of the scientific and technology Program BR05236795 ‘‘Development of Hydrogen Energy Technologies in the Republic of Kazakhstan’’. The authors thank M. Sokolov for technical assistance and valuable suggestions.

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.

The kinetics of defect accumulation under irradiation: many-particle effects

The kinetics of Frenkel defect accumulation under permanent particle source (irradiation) is discussed with special emphasis on many-particle effects. Defect accumulation is restricted by their diffusion and annihilation, A + B → 0, if the relative distance is less than the critical distance r0. A novel formalism of many-point particle densities based on Kirkwood's superposition approximation is developed to take into account aggregation of similar defects (A−A, B−B). The dependence of the saturation concentration after a prolonged irradiation upon spatial dimension ( = 1, 2, 3), defect mobility and the initial correlation within geminate pairs is analyzed. It is shown that the defect conce…

The adhesion properties of the Ag/α-Al2O3() interface: an ab initio study

Ab initio computer simulations of the atomic and electronic structure of the Ag/a-Al2O3(0 0 0 1) (corundum) interface have been performed for a periodic two-dimensional slab model using the Hartree–Fock method and a posteriori electron correlation corrections.We have considered both Al- and O-terminated corundum substrate surfaces.The dependence of the adhesion energy on the interfacial distance has been analyzed for the two most favorable Ag adsorption positions over corundum and for two different metal coverages (a 1/3 monolayer (ML) of the Ag(1 1 1) crystallographic plane and a full Ag(1 1 1) monolayer).The two different terminations (Al- and O-) give rise to qualitatively different resu…

Hydrogen adsorption on the ZnO $(1\bar{1}00)$ surface: ab initio hybrid density functional linear combination of atomic orbitals calculations

Hydrogen atoms unavoidably presented in ZnO samples or thin films during their synthesis considerably affect electrical conductivity. Results of first principles hybrid functional linear combination of atomic orbitals calculations are discussed for hydrogen atoms incorporated in bulk or adsorbed upon non-polar ZnO (1¯ 100) surfaces. The energy of H incorporation, atomic relaxation, electronic density redistribution and modification of the electronic structure are compared for both surface adsorption and bulk absorption. It is shown that hydrogen forms a strong bonding with the surface O ions (Eads = 2.7eV) whereas its incorporation into bulk is energetically quite unfavorable. Hydrogen adso…

Ab initio calculations of the atomic and electronic structure of MgF2 (011) and (111) surfaces

Abstract The results of ab initio slab calculations of surface relaxations, rumplings and charge distribution for the different terminations of the MgF2 (011) and (111) polar surfaces are presented and discussed. We have employed the computer code CRYSTAL with the Gaussian basis set and the hybrid B3PW exchange-correlation functional. Despite the ionic nature of the chemical bonding at both surfaces, a considerable decrease of the optical band gap is predicted (1.3 eV or 10%) for the (111) surface as compared to the bulk.

A simple analysis of the HA centre destruction temperatures for doped alkali halides

Abstract A simple relation for the destruction temperatures Td of the HA centres (H centres trapped by an impurity cation) as a function of the difference in the radii for a host cation and impurity in alkali halide crystals is presented and theoretically justified. This relation allows to predict Td for H centres trapped by other monovalent cation impurities.

Kinetics of correlated annealing of radiation defects in alkali halide crystals

Abstract Kinetics of the correlated annealing of pairs of neutral (F-H) Frenkel defects in the KBr crystal is treated theoretically, taking into account defect diffusion, and annihilation at short distances stimulated by an elastic interaction. It is shown that an elastic interaction affects the annealing kinetics and the survival probability of close geminate detects considerably. The widespread description of the correlated annealing in terms of a first-order reaction fails for close defects yielding effective energies which in fact differ essentially from an activation energy of diffusion. Ea, even if it is corrected by an interaction energy. The effect of the initial distribution of def…

CNT Arrays Grown upon Catalytic Nickel Particles as Applied in the Nanoelectronic Devices: Ab Initio Simulation of Growth Mechanism

Carbon nanotubes, due to their exceptional and unique properties, have aroused a lot of research interest making them promising candidates as interconnects for future high-speed nanoelectronics. To predict a growth mechanism for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) upon a metal particle as synthesized in the porous membrane block then incorporated in the nanoelectronic device, we have performed a series of large-scale DFT-LCAO calculations using the CRYSTAL-06 code. Carbon adatoms can appear upon the densely-packed Ni(111) catalyst surface due to dissociation of hydrocarbon molecules (e.g., CH4) when applying the CVD method for the nanotube growth. We have started with adsorption properties of carbon at…

Transition levels of acceptor impurities in ZnO crystals by DFT-LCAO calculations

This research was partly supported by the Kazakhstan Science Project № AP05134367«Synthesis of nanocrystals in track templates of SiO2/Si for sensory, nano-and optoelectronic applications» and Latvian Super Cluster (LASC), installed in the Institute of Solid State Physics (ISSP) of the University of Latvia. Authors are indebted to D. Gryaznov, A. Popov and A. Dauletbekova for stimulating discussions.

Theoretical simulations of the radiation-induced defect processes in insulating materials

Abstract The results of two basic kinds of computer simulations of radiation-induced processes in insulating materials, one based on quantum-mechanical and pair-potential (atomistic) approaches, and the other a phenomenological theory of diffusion-controlled reactions, are presented. It is shown that, by combining different techniques (atom-atom potentials and semi-empirical quantum chemical methods) the optimized geometry and the electronic structure of a family of hole centres in crystalline corundum (α-Al2O3) could be found. Their energetics are analyzed; V2−, V−V−Mg hole centres all have a common basic element, namely the diatomic molecule O23−, which is responsible for their similar ab…

Theoretical and Experimental Studies of Charge Ordering in CaFeO 3 and SrFeO 3 Crystals

Oxygen evolution reaction on a N-doped Co0.5-terminated Co3O4 (001) surface

The project AP05131211 “First principles investigation on catalytic properties of N-doped Co3O4.” was funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The work was partly supported by COST (European Cooperation in science and Technology) Action 18234 (YM and EK). The work of T. Inerbaev was performed under the state assignment of Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. YM and EK thank Sun-to-Chem project of ERA Net.

Influence of Au, Ag, and Cu Adatoms on Optical Properties of TiO2 (110) Surface: Predictions from RT-TDDFT Calculations

This study was financially supported by Flag-ERA JTC To2Dox project (S.P.) and M-ERA-NET2 project SunToChem (E.A.K.). M.G.B. thanks the support from the Program for the Foreign Experts (Grant No. W2017011) offered by Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications and the National Foreign Experts Program for “Belt and Road Initiative” Innovative Talent Exchange (Grant No. DL2021035001L), Estonian Research Council grant PUT PRG111, European Regional Development Fund (TK141), NCN project 2018/31/B/ST4/00924. Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, as the Center of Excellence, has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Program H2020-WIDESPREAD-01…

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.

First‐principles modeling of the H color centers in MgF 2 crystals

MgF2 with a rutile structure is important wide-gap optical material with numerous applications. We present and discuss the results of calculations for basic hole defects – interstitial F atoms (called also the colour H centers). This study is based on the large scale ab initio DFT calculations using hybrid B3PW exchange-correlation functional as implemented into CRYSTAL computer code. The electronic structure, atomic geometry, charge density distribution are calculated and compared with similar defects in CaF2 fluorite. It is shown that the H centers oriented nearly parallel to the (110) axis are energetically more favourable than those oriented along the (001) axis, in agreement with exper…

The Intrinsic Defects, Disordering, and Structural Stability of BaxSr1–xCoyFe1–yO3−δ Perovskite Solid Solutions

First principles density functional theory modeling of point defects and structural disordering in BaxSr1–xCoyFe1–yO3−δ (BSCF) perovskites reveals that the material tends to decompose at low temperatures into a mixture of cubic and hexagonal perovskite and/or oxide phases. Special attention is paid to elucidating the effects of oxygen nonstoichiometry on cubic and hexagonal phase stability, decomposition energies, and oxygen vacancy formation energies. The observed lattice instability is likely to negate the advantages of the fast oxygen transport chemistry and impede the applicability of BSCF in solid oxide fuel cells and oxygen separation ceramic membranes. The general methodology present…

Modelling of silver adhesion on MgO(100) surface with defects

We show how surface defects (especially Fs 0 and Vs 0 centres) can play a major role in the adhesion of Ag (at 1:4 and 1:1 coverages) on the MgO(100) surface. Our calculations use a periodic (slab) model and an ab initio Hartree-Fock approach with a posteriori electron correlation corrections. We are able to analyse the interatomic bond populations, effective charges and multipole moments of ions, in combination with the interface binding energy and the equilibrium distances. Both surface defects cause strong redistributions of the electron density which increase the binding energy of metal atoms by more than an order of magnitude. This implies radiation-induced strengthening of metal adhes…

The first-principles treatment of the electron-correlation and spin-orbital effects in uranium mononitride nuclear fuels.

The DFT+U calculations were employed in a detailed study of the strong electron correlation effects in a promising nuclear fuel-uranium mononitride (UN). A simple method for solving the multiple minima problem in DFT+U simulations and insure obtaining the correct ground state is suggested and applied. The crucial role of spin-orbit interactions in reproduction of the U atom total magnetic moment is demonstrated. Basic material properties (the lattice constants, the spin- and total magnetic moments on U atoms, the magnetic ordering, and the density of states) were calculated varying the Hubbard U-parameter. By varying the tetragonal unit cell distortion, the meta-stable states have been care…

A comparative analysis of electron spectroscopy and first-principles studies on Cu(Pd) adsorption on MgO

Ultrathin MgO films were grown on a W(1 1 0) substrate while metastable impact electron (MIES) and photoelectron (UPS) spectra were measured in situ; apart from the valence band emission, no additional spectral features were detected. The oxide surface was exposed to metal atoms (Cu, Pd) at RT. A comparison with the DOS extracted from first-principles DFT calculations shows that the metal-induced intensity developing above the top of the O 2p valence band in the UP spectra under Cu(Pd) exposure is caused by Cu 3d (Pd 4d) emission. The emission seen in the MIES spectra is attributed to the ionization of Cu 3d and 4s states of adsorbed neutral Cu atoms in an Auger process, Auger neutralizatio…

Thermodynamics of ABO3-Type Perovskite Surfaces

The ABO3-type perovskite manganites, cobaltates, and ferrates (A= La, Sr, Ca; B=Mn, Co, Fe) are important functional materials which have numerous high-tech applications due to their outstanding magnetic and electrical properties, such as colossal magnetoresistance, half-metallic behavior, and composition-dependent metal-insulator transition (Coey et al., 1999; Haghiri-Gosnet & Renard, 2003). Owing to high electronic and ionic conductivities. these materials show also excellent electrochemical performance, thermal and chemical stability, as well as compatibility with widely used electrolyte based on yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Therefore they are among the most promising materials as …

Quantum Mechanical Modelling of Pure and Defective KNbO3 Perovskites

Ab initio electronic structure calculations using the density-functional theory (DFT) are performed for KNbO3 with and without defects. Ferroelectric distortive transitions involve very small changes in energies and are therefore sensitive to DFT-approximations. This is discussed by comparing results obtained with the local density approximation (LDA) to those where generalized gradient approximations (GGA) are used. The results of ab initio calculations for F-type centers and bound hole polarons are compared to those obtained by a semiempirical method of the Intermediate Neglect of the Differential Overlap (INDO), based on the HartreeFock formalism. Supercells with 40 and 320 atoms were us…

Ab Initio Study of BiFeO3: Thermodynamic Stability Conditions

BiFeO3 is investigated intensively, mainly as a multiferroic material. In this paper, the state-of-the-art ab initio hybrid functional approach with atomic basis sets was employed for a study of the stability range of BiFeO3 with respect to its decomposition into binary oxides and elementary metals, as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The calculated atomic and electronic structure of BiFeO3 was compared with previous LDA+U calculations using plane-wave basis sets. Based on performed calculations, the phase diagram was constructed, which allows us to predict the stability region of stoichiometric BiFeO3.

Semi-empirical simulations of F-center diffusion in KCl crystals

Abstract The semi-empirical method and 224 atom quantum clusters were used for calculating the activation energy for diffusion of cation and anion vacancies and F-centers in KCl crystals. The relevant activation energies of 1.19 eV, 1.44 eV and 1.64 eV, respectively agree well with the experimental data.

BacSr1−cTiO3 perovskite solid solutions: Thermodynamics from ab initio electronic structure calculations

We suggest theoretical prediction for Ba"cSr"1"-"cTiO"3 perovskite solid solutions (BST) combining ab initio DFT/B3PW calculations and alloy thermodynamics. This approach is based on calculations of a series of ordered super-structures in Ba-Sr simple cubic sublattice immersed in the rest TiO"3 matrix. Although these structures are unstable with respect to the decomposition, the results of total energy calculations allow us to extract the necessary energy parameters and to calculate the phase diagram for the solid solutions (alloys). A novel approach applied to the BST system enables to predict that at T>400 K Ba and Sr atom distribution is random. But below this temperature at small c Ba a…

Atomic, electronic and magnetic structure of an oxygen interstitial in neutron-irradiated Al2O3 single crystals

This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 and 2019-2020 under Grant Agreement No. 633053 and Enabling Research project: ENR-MFE19.ISSP-UL-02 “Advanced experimental and theoretical analysis of defect evolution and structural disordering in optical and dielectric materials for fusion application”. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. In addition, the research leading to these results has received funding from the Estonian Research Council grant (PUT PRG619).

Ab initio simulation of (Ba,Sr)TiO3 and (Ba,Ca)TiO3 perovskite solid solutions

This research was supported by the ERA-NET HarvEnPiez project. Many thanks to R. Dovesi, M.M. Kržmanc and D. Gryaznov for fruitful discussions.

Ab initiocalculations of theSrTiO3(110) polar surface

Results of ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations for the SrTiO3 ~110! polar surface are discussed. We have calculated the surface energies, near-surface atomic displacements for four possible terminations ~TiO, Sr, and two kinds of O terminations! as well as Mulliken atomic charges and dipole moments of atoms characterizing their polarization, and the atomic bond populations. We predict a considerable increase of the TiuO chemical bond covalency near the ~110! surface, as compared to both the bulk and the ~100! surface. The O-terminated ~110! surface has surface energy close to that for ~100!, which indicates that both ~110! and ~100! SrTiO3 surfaces can coexist in polycrystals and perovskite…

Atomistic simulation of the [001]surface structure in BaTiO3

Abstract We simulate the effect of the surface relaxation on the polarization of the layers of paraelectric phase in the vicinity of the [001] surface in BaTiO 3 in the framework of the shell-model potentials. We observe large polarization of ions in the first two layers of the surface. Our simulations confirm the possibility of existence of Ti- and Ba-containing top layers in [001] BaTiO 3 surfaces.

The electronic properties of SrTiO3-δ with oxygen vacancies or substitutions

The authors would like to thank R. Dittmann for useful discussions, T. Kocourek, O. Pacherova, S. Cichon, V. Vetokhina, and P. Babor for their contributions to sample preparation and characterization. The authors (M.T., A.D.) acknowledge support from the Czech Science Foundation (Grant No. 19-09671S), the European Structural and Investment Funds and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic through Programme “Research, Development and Education” (Project No. SOLID21 CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16-019/0000760). This study was partly supported by FLAG-ERA JTC project To2Dox (L.R. and E.K.). Calculations have been performed on the LASC Cluster in the Institute of Solid State Phy…

(Invited) The Effect of (La,Sr)MnO 3 Cathode Surface Termination on Its Electronic Structure

La1-xSrxMnO3 (LSM) was one of the first perovskites used as SOFC cathode material. Its (001) surface has two possible terminations, LaSrO and MnO2, with quite different properties and oxygen reduction efficiencies. To avoid effects of surface polarity and the dipole moment across the material, symmetric non-stoichiometric slabs are commonly used in theoretical calculations with identical terminating planes on its both sides. We analyzed the dependence of the electronic structure (density of states) and charge distribution (effective atomic charges and chemical bond covalency) on the slab termination and Mn ion oxidation state (controlled by the Sr content and slab nonstoichiometry).

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…

Surface Relaxation in Ferroelectric Perovskites: An Atomistic Study

ABSTRACTThe effect of the [001] surface relaxation on the polarization of the paraelectric BaTiO3 is simulated in the framework of the shell model. Our atomistic simulations show a large polarization of ions in the first several layers nearby the surface and confirm the possibility of co-existence of Ti-and Ba-terminated [001] BaTiO3 surfaces which have very close surface energies.

First principles modelling of oxygen impurities in UN nuclear fuels

We report results of first principles VASP supercell calculations of O impurity in UN fuels placed either at an interstitial tetrahedral position or as a substitution for a host N ion. In the latter case O perfectly fits into N site producing no lattice distortion. Such the O substitutional impurity only slightly affects the formation energies of U and N vacancies nearby. In both interstitial and substitutional positions O atom attracts the additional electron density and transforms into the negatively charged ion. Oxygen incorporation into pre-existing N vacancy is energetically more favourable than into the interstitial position. The O impurities produce an additional peak at the low ener…

A Comparative Ab Initio Thermodynamic Study of Oxygen Vacancies in ZnO and SrTiO3: Emphasis on Phonon Contribution

Using a hybrid Hartree–Fock (HF)-DFT method combined with LCAO basis set and periodic supercell approach, the atomic, electronic structure and phonon properties of oxygen vacancies in ZnO and SrTiO3 were calculated and compared. The important role of a ghost basis function centered at the vacant site and defect spin state for SrTiO3 is discussed. It is shown that the use of hybrid functionals is vital for correct reproduction of defects basic properties. The Gibbs free energy of formation of oxygen vacancies and their considerable temperature dependence has been compared for the two oxides. These calculations were based on the polarizability model for the soft mode temperature behavior in S…

Short-lived luminescence of mixed silver halides

Abstract Two kinds of excitonic luminescence were investigated for the entire series of solid solutions, AgBr1−xClx, (0 ⪕ x ⪕ 1). The time-resolved spectra observed around 2.5 eV after both pulsed high-power electron beam and N2-laser irradiations are analyzed in terms of the diffusion-controlled recombination of Frenkel defects Ag0i and Ag2+V-c. It is shown that the effective activation energy of Ag0i migration is a linear function of the composition x; and predominantly two kinds of nearest neighbours contribute to this process. The position of maximum of the excitonic molecule luminescence found in mixed monocrystals and fibers reveals a distinctive dependence on the composition x. Its a…

Low temperature structural transformations on the (001) surface of SrTiO 3 single crystals

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine under the contract M/51–2019 within the framework of the Program of Ukrainian–Latvian Scientific and Technical Cooperation and Latvian–Ukranian Grant LV-UA/2018/2. Authors are indebted to L.L. Rusevich, G. Zvejnieks, V.P. Gnezdilov and A. Glamazda for stimulating discussions.

Ab initio simulations of oxygen interaction with surfaces and interfaces in uranium mononitride

Abstract The results of DFT supercell calculations of oxygen behavior upon the UN (0 0 1) and (1 1 0) surfaces as well as at the tilt grain boundary are presented. Oxygen adsorption, migration, incorporation into the surface N vacancies on (0 0 1) and (1 1 0) surfaces have been modeled using 2D slabs of different thicknesses and supercell sizes. The temperature dependences of the N vacancy formation energies and oxygen incorporation energies are calculated. We demonstrate that O atoms easily penetrate into UN surfaces and grain boundaries containing N vacancies, due to negative incorporation energies and a small energy barrier. The Gibbs free energies of N vacancy formation and O atom incor…

The kinetics of F-center aggregation under irradiation: many-particle effects in ionic solids

The accumulation kinetics of primary Frenkel defects created in solids under permanent irradiation is calculated using the microscopic formalism of many-particle densities. It is based on the Kirkwood superposition approximation for three-particle densities as described in our previous paper p. N. Kuzovkov and E. A. Kotomin, Physica Scripta 47, 585 (1993)l. This formalism is generalized in this paper by incorporating the elastic attraction between similar defects (called in ionic solids F-centers) which causes their efficient aggregation. It is shown that the aggregation process starts only if the dose rate and elastic attraction energy exceed certain critical values; it also happpens in th…

Ab initio simulations on Frenkel pairs of radiation defects in corundum

Large scale first principles periodic calculations based on the density functional theory within the localized atomic orbital approach (DFT-LCAO) using the hybrid exchange- correlation potential B3PW have been performed in order to study the structural and electronic properties of radiation-induced Frenkel pairs Oi+VO in corundum crystal. As an initial approach, we have used conventional 2x2x1 supercell for defective α-Al2O3 lattice containing 120 atoms. After relaxation of the ideal supercell structure, the optimized doi-vo distance has been found to be ~4.5 A while the formation energy of Frenkel pair has achieved 11.7 eV. The interstitial Oi atom, both single and a component of Oi+VO pai…

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.

Interface-induced enhancement of piezoelectricity in the (SrTiO 3 ) m /(BaTiO 3 ) M−m superlattice for energy harvesting applications

This research is funded by the Latvian Council of Science, project No. lzp-2018/1-0147. The computer resources were provided by Stuttgart Supercomputing Center (project DEFTD 12939) and Latvian Super Cluster (LASC). Many thanks to R. Dovesi, A. Erba, and M. Rérat for numerous stimulating discussions.

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.

First-principles modelling of complex perovskite (Ba1-xSrx)(Co1-yFey)O3-δ for solid oxide fuel cell and gas separation membrane applications

The results of the first principles spin-polarized DFT calculations of the atomic and electronic structure of a complex perovskite (Ba1-xSrx)(Co1-yFey)O3-δ (BSCF) used as a cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and gas separation membranes are presented and discussed. The formation energies of oxygen vacancies are found to be considerably smaller than in other magnetic perovskites, e.g. (La,Sr)MnO3, which explains the experimentally observed strong deviation of this material from stoichiometry. The presence of oxygen vacancies induces a local charge redistribution, associated with the local lattice perturbation, and expansion of the equilibrium volume, in line with the experime…

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…

Calculations of Surface Structure for SrTiO3 Perovskite

ABSTRACTWe present and discuss results of the calculations for SrTiO3 (100) surface relaxation with different terminations (SrO and TiO2) using a semi-empirical shell model (SM) as well as abinitio methods based on Hartree-Fock (HF) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) formalisms. Using the SM, the positions of atoms in 16 near-surface layers placed atop a slab of rigid ions are optimized. This permits us determination of surface rumpling and surfaceinduced dipole moments (polarization) for different terminations. We also compare results of the ab initio calculations based on both HF with the DFT-type electroncorrelation corrections, several DFT with different exchange-correlation functional…

A first-principles DFT study of UN bulk and (001) surface: comparative LCAO and PW calculations.

LCAO and PW DFT calculations of the lattice constant, bulk modulus, cohesive energy, charge distribu- tion, band structure, and DOS for UN single crystal are analyzed. It is demonstrated that a choice of the uranium atom relativistic effective core potentials considerably affects the band structure and magnetic structure at low tem- peratures. All calculations indicate mixed metallic-covalent chemical bonding in UN crystal with U5f states near the Fermi level. On the basis of the experience accumulated in UN bulk simulations, we compare the atomic and elec- tronic structure as well as the formation energy for UN(001) surface calculated on slabs of different thickness using both DFT approach…

Photoconversion of F+ centers in neutron-irradiated MgO

Abstract In neutron-irradiated MgO crystals, experiments and theory demonstrate that photon excitation of the positively charged anion vacancies (F+ centers) at 5.0 eV releases holes that are subsequently trapped at V-type centers, which are cation vacancies charge-compensated by impurities, such as Al3+, F−, and OH− ions. A photoconversion mechanism occurs very likely via electron transfer to F+ centers from the quasi-local states which are induced in the valence band. INDO quantum chemical simulations of F+ centers confirmed the appearance of two induced quasi-local states located at 1.2 and 2.0 eV below the top of the valence band.

Sr Doping and Oxygen Vacancy Formation in La1−xSrxScO3−δ Solid Solutions: Computational Modelling

The study was performed with the financial support from the Latvian Council of Science under the grant agreement LZP-2020/2-0009. Calculations were performed at the HLRS, University of Stuttgart, within the project 12939 DEFTD. The Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (Latvia), as the Centre of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Frame-work Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-Teaming Phase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART2.

[001] Surface Structure in SrTiO3 — Atomistic Study

Thin superconducting films attract great attention as a promising material for plenty of applications. The surface determines most of the physical properties of these films. We studied the polarization effect for the [001] surface of perovskite ABO 3 superconducting crystals on the example of SrTiO 3. Optimization of the ion positions in several surface layers is provided. These ions are placed in the external field of the rest crystal. The interaction between ions is described by means of the shell model technique. We show that Ti +4, Sr 2+ and O -2 ions displace differently from their crystalline sites, which leads to the creation of a dipole moment in the near-surface region.

Atomic, electronic and thermodynamic properties of cubic and orthorhombic LaMnO3 surfaces

We studied in detail the atomic and electronic structure of the LaMnO3 surfaces, in both cubic and orthorhombic phases, combining GGA-plane wave approach, as implemented into the VASP-4.6.19 computer code, with a slab model. These studies are complemented by a thermodynamic analysis of the surface stability at different gas pressures and temperatures. The obtained results are compared with similar studies for other ABO3-perovskites. 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. The ABO3-type perovskite manganites and cobaltates (A = La, Sr, Ca; B = Mn, Co) are important functional materials with numerous high-tech applications [1]. Some of them require understanding and control surface properties…

Basic properties of the F-type centers in halides, oxides and perovskites

We present a short survey of the optical properties of primary radiation-induced point defects in alkali halides, simple oxides and some ABO3 perovskites. We discuss in details the optical properties of single electron F and F + centers in rock-salt (f.c.c.) alkali halides and oxides and show that the Mollwo–Ivey law well-known for the F-type centers in alkali halides may be extended for other rock-salt structure insulators. We also discuss the major differences in point defect production mechanisms in halides and oxides. We show that the Rabin–Klick diagram may be generalized for a whole family of alkali halides. The F-type center migration and aggregation into metal colloids in alkali hal…

A comparative study of the atomic and electronic structure of F centers in ferroelectric KNbO3: Ab initio and semi-empirical calculations

Abstract The linear muffin-tin-orbital method combined with density functional theory (in a local density approximation) and the semi-empirical method of the intermediate neglect of the differential overlap (INDO) based on the Hartree-Fock formalism are used for the supercell study of the F centers (O vacancy with two electrons) in cubic and orthorhombic ferroelectric KNbO3 crystals. The two electrons are found to be considerably delocalized even in the ground state of the defect. Their wave functions extend over the two Nb atoms closest to the O vacancy and over other nearby atoms. Thus, the F center in KNbO3 resembles much more electron defects in the partly covalent SiO2 crystal (the so-…

Semi-empirical indo and shell-model calculations for perovskites

Abstract Structural, phonon and some elastic and dielectric properties have been calculated for various paraelectric or ferroelectric phases of the perovskites KNbO3 and SrTiO3, using either the semi-empirical INDO (Intermediate Neglect of Differential Overlap) method or a temperature-dependent shell model. The INDO method was used to calculate the energy changes resulting from [100], [110] or [111] displacements of Nb atoms in the cubic perovskite cell of KNbO3, at 0K. The conventional shell model gives a good account of the elastic, dielectric and phonon properties of the cubic phase of strontium titanate at room temperature, but difficulties remain in modelling the permittivity and elast…

Study of the electronic and atomic structure of thermally treated SrTiO3(110) surfaces

The electronic structure of heated SrTiO3(110) surfaces was investigated with metastable impact electron spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (He(I). Scanning tunnelling microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to study the topology of the surface. The crystals were heated up to 1000 °C under reducing conditions in ultrahigh vacuum or under oxidizing conditions in synthetic air for 1 h, respectively. Under both conditions microfacetting of the surface is observed. The experimental results are compared with ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations, also presented here, carried out for both ideal and reconstructed SrTiO 3(110) surfaces. The results give direct evid…

Radiation defects in complex perovskite solid solutions

Abstract First principles density functional theory (DFT) based modeling is performed to explore formation energies of a series of point cation and oxygen defects, Frenkel and Schottky disorder, as well as structural disorder in Ba1−xSrxCo1−yFeyO3−δ (BSCF) perovskite solid solutions. The results are compared with previous studies on a prototype SrTiO3 perovskite. It is shown that BSCF permits accommodation of a high concentration of defects and cation clusters but not antisite defects.

Phase competition in (La1 − c,Src)CoO3solid solutions:ab initiothermodynamic study

Statistical thermodynamics and density functional theory (DFT) formalisms are combined to analyze the phase competition of energetically preferable phases in (La1 − c,Src)CoO3 solid solutions upon LaCoO3 doping with Sr. La/Sr sublattice in ABO3 perovskite structure is considered as immersed in the field of CoO3 units and the superstructures that are stable with respect to the formation of antiphase domains are analyzed. The concentration-dependent energy parameters determining the relative stability of the cubic superstructures (phases) are extracted. This allows us calculations of concentration- and temperature dependences of the long-range order (LRO) parameters for different phases. The …

Dynamics of F-center annihilation in thermochemically reduced MgO single crystals

Optical absorption measurements were used to monitor the thermal annihilation of oxygen vacancies (F-centers) in thermochemically reduced MgO crystals. The annihilation characteristics were sample-dependent and varied strongly with the F-center concentration. Different mechanisms for the destruction of F centers are suggested depending on their concentration.

First principles calculations of the vibrational properties of single and dimer F-type centers in corundum crystals

The present paper investigates the F-type centers in α-Al2O3 through their electronic and vibrational properties from first principle calculations using a periodic supercell approach, a hybrid functional, and all-electron Gaussian basis sets as implemented in the CRYSTAL17 code. Single F-type and dimer F2-type centers related to oxygen vacancies in various charge states were considered. The defect-induced vibrational modes were identified and found to appear mainly in the low (up to 300 cm-1) and high (above 700 cm-1) frequency regions, depending on the defect charge. The perturbation introduced by the defects to the thermal nuclear motion in the crystal lattice is discussed in terms of ato…

Diffusion-controlled annihilation and aggregation of F-centers in thermochemically reduced MgO crystals

Abstract The dynamics of F-center (an oxygen vacancy which has trapped two electrons) aggregation in thermochemically reduced MgO single crystals with an exceptionally high F-center concentration (6×1018 cm−3) is discussed. A theory of the Mg nanocavity formation process is developed based on diffusion-controlled aggregation of elastically interacting F centers and their annihilation at traps. We show that in contrast to the generally accepted viewpoint, the F centers in the bulk are not annealed out at the external sample surface but at internal defects, such as dislocations, subgrain boundaries and impurities. The mutual attraction of the F centers is a key factor controlling the aggregat…

Charge distribution and optical properties of and F centres in crystals

Results of quantum chemical calculations for the and F centres in cubic and orthorhombic phases of a perovskite ferroelectric are presented and analysed in the light of existing experimental literature. It is shown that one (two) electrons of the and F centres, respectively, are considerably delocalized, even in the ground state of defects, over the two Nb atoms nearest to the O vacancy, and other close atoms. They resemble more electron defects in partly covalent crystals (the so-called centre) than F-type centres in ionic MgO crystals. We predict two or three absorption bands (depending on the crystalline phase) for each of the defects. The calculated absorption energies for the centre ar…

Enhanced interfacial lithium storage in nanocomposites of transition metals with LiF and Li2O: Comparison of DFT calculations and experimental studies

Abstract Me/LiX nanocomposites (Me – transition metal and X = F or O) exhibit extra lithium storage, with pseudo-capacitive behavior and high-rate performance. While LiX surface layers or the interfacial core serves as hosts for extra Li, atoms of contacting transition metal serve as electron sinks, depending on Me electronegativity. To verify the mechanism, we have performed comparative DFT-LCAO calculations on the polar Ti|Li|Li2O(111) and non-polar Cu|Li|LiF(001) interfaces with extra Li atoms inserted inside both 2D interfaces, gradually changing their concentration. Theoretical calculations confirm validity of this interfacial model for explanation of the extra storage capacity at low …

Transient optical absorption in KNbO3 crystals irradiated with pulsed electron beam

Abstract Transient optical absorption spectra as well as absorption decay kinetics in pure, Mg- and Rb-doped KNbO 3 have been measured at RT after pulsed (10 ns, 0.27 MeV) electron beam irradiation. Three types of short-lived radiation defects are observed with bands peaking at ∼460 nm, ∼780 nm and > 1000nm. The relevant radiation-induced decay processes are discussed.

Ab InitioModeling of Metal Adhesion on Oxide Surfaces with Defects

Our ab initio studies show that surface defects cause redistribution of the electron density which can increase substantially the binding energy of metal atoms to oxide surfaces. The results for electron $({F}_{s}^{0})$ and hole $({V}_{s}^{0})$ centers in the adhesion of Ag atoms (at 1:4 and 1:1 coverages) to a MgO(100) surface, combined with previous studies for charged defects, support earlier ideas of the mechanism of radiation-enhanced adhesion of nonreactive metals on oxide substrates. The results suggest that some optical control of adhesion energies is possible through charge transfer.

Quantum chemical modelling of polarons and perovskite solid solutions

Abstract Following our previous study [J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 10 (1998) 6271] of a single Nb impurity and Nb clusters in KTaO 3 , we present results of the calculations for a series of perovskite KNb x Ta 1− x O 3 (KTN) solid solutions ( x =0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.75, 1). The quantum chemical method of the intermediate neglect of the differential overlap (INDO) combined with the large unit cell (LUC) periodic model is used. According to the INDO calculations, Nb impurity becomes off-center in KTaO 3 already at the lowest studied concentrations ( x =0.125), in a good agreement with XAFS measurements. We compare our results with previous ab initio FP-LMTO calculations. Quantum chemical calculati…

Comparison of the F-type center thermal annealing in heavy-ion and neutron irradiated Al2O3 single crystals

Abstract The optical absorption and thermally stimulated luminescence of Al2O3 (sapphire) single crystals irradiated with swift heavy ions (SHI) 238U with energy 2.4 GeV is studied with the focus on the thermal annealing of the F-type centers in a wide temperature range of 400–1500 K. Its theoretical analysis allows us to obtain activation energies and pre-exponentials of the interstitial oxygen ion migration, which recombine with both types of immobile electron centers (F and F+ centers). A comparison of these kinetics parameters with literature data for a neutron-irradiated sapphire shows their similarity and thus supports the use of SHI-irradiation for modeling the neutron irradiation.

First principles modeling of Ag adsorption on the LaMnO3 (001) surfaces

Abstract Doping of oxide surfaces with Ag atoms could improve their catalytic properties, e.g. for solid oxide fuel cell and oxygen permeation membrane applications. We present results of the ab initio calculations of Ag adsorption on the LaMnO 3 (LMO) (001) surfaces. The energetically most favorable adsorption sites for low coverage of Ag atoms and monolayer on both MnO 2 - and LaO-terminations have been determined. The electron charge transfer between Ag and substrate and interatomic distances have been analyzed. The Ag atom migration along the MnO 2 surface is ~ 0.5 eV which could lead to a fast clustering of adsorbates at moderate temperatures whereas the adhesion energy of silver monol…

Hydration entropy of BaZrO3 from first principles phonon calculations

The impact of phonons on the hydration and defect thermodynamics of undoped and acceptor (Sc, In, Y and Gd) doped BaZrO3 is addressed by means of first principles supercell calculations. In contrast to previous, similar investigations, we evaluate contributions from all phonon modes, and also pressure/volume effects on the phonon properties. The calculations are performed at the GGA-level with the PBE and RPBE functionals, both of which predict for BaZrO3 a stable cubic perovskite structure. For all dopants, the vibrational formation entropy of the doubly positively charged oxygen vacancy is significantly lower than that of the protonic defect , which therefore also is the dominant contribu…

Analysis of self-trapped hole mobility in alkali halides and metal halides

Support from Latvian National Research Program IMIS2 (2014–2017) and LZP Grant No. 237/2012 (2013–2016) is greatly appreciated.

Quantum chemical modelling of "green" luminescence in ABO $ \mathsf {_3}$ perovskites

The origin of the intrinsic excitonic (“green”) luminescence in ABO3 perovskites remains a hot topic over the last quarter of a century. We suggest as a theoretical interpretation for the “green” luminescence in these crystals, the recombination of electron and hole polarons forming a charge transfer vibronic exciton. In order to check quantitatively the proposed model, we performed quantum chemical calculations using the Intermediate Neglect of Differential Overlap (INDO) method combined with the periodic defect model. The luminescence energies calculated for four perovskite crystals are found to be in good agreement with experimental data.

Atomic and electronic structure of perfect and defective PbZrO3 perovskite: Hybrid DFT calculations of cubic and orthorhombic phases

Abstract The structural and electronic properties of pure cubic and low-temperature orthorhombic PbZrO3 (antiferroelectric phase), as well as cubic PbZrO3 containing single F-centers (neutral oxygen vacancies) have been simulated by means of ab initio hybrid density functional calculations. We observed a substantial increase of the Pb–O bond covalency in ideal orthorhombic PbZrO3 with respect to its cubic phase. Relatively large displacement of four Pb atoms nearest to the F-center (0.25 A towards the defect) could affect the PbZrO3 ferroelectric properties. An O vacancy in the bulk PbZrO3 attracts ≈0.7 e, and the remaining electron density from the missing O2− is localized mostly on four n…

Quantum chemical simulations of hole self-trapping in semi-ionic crystals

A novel formalism is presented for reliable calculations of the energetics of hole self-trapping in semi-ionic solids with mixed valence bands. Unlike previous model-Hamiltonian-type approaches, it is based on self-consistent quantum chemical INDO simulations of the atomistic and electronic structure of a self-trapped hole, making no a priori assumptions about a particular form of its localization (if any). This formalism is applied to the problem of hole self-trapping in corundum crystals (a -A1203). The hole self-trapping is found to be energetically favorable in the form of a diatomic 02 molecule with strong covalent bonding quite similar to the self-trapped hole (VK-center) in alkali ha…

Magnetic field tuning of the smart materials domain structure

The investigation of the behavior of the ferroelectric phase transition with magnetic filed tuning and concentration change is highly attractive owing to the possibility to prepare alloying samples and to predict theoretically the parameters of the magnetic field and concentration response at relatively small concentrations. These parameters may be extracted from the equation of states of the perovskite under investigation in the assumption of the linear response. The study of the movement of the paraelectric - ferroelectric interphase boundary in (Ba,Sr)TiO 3 with concentration change and in constant magnetic fields is provided in the framework of the mean-field theory. The analytical solu…

Ab initio calculations of structural, electronic and vibrational properties of BaTiO3 and SrTiO3 perovskite crystals with oxygen vacancies

The first-principles (ab initio) computations of the structural, electronic, and phonon properties have been performed for cubic and low-temperature tetragonal phases of BaTiO3 and SrTiO3 perovskite crystals, both stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric (with neutral oxygen vacancies). Calculations were performed with the CRYSTAL17 computer code within the linear combination of atomic orbitals approximation, using the B1WC advanced hybrid exchange-correlation functional of the density-functional-theory (DFT) and the periodic supercell approach. Various possible spin states of the defective systems were considered by means of unrestricted (open shell) DFT calculations. It was demonstrated that…

Calculations of the atomic and electronic structure for SrTiO3 perovskite thin films

The results of calculations of SrTiO3 (100) surface relaxation and rumpling with two different terminations (SrO and TiO2) are presented and discussed. We have used the ab initio Hartree–Fock (HF) method with electron correlation corrections and the density functional theory (DFT) with different exchange–correlation functionals, including hybrid exchange techniques. All methods agree well on surface energies and on atomic displacements, as well as on the considerable increase of covalency effects near the surface. More detailed experiments on surface rumpling and relaxation are necessary for further testing of theoretical predictions.

Ab initiothermodynamics ofBacSr(1−c)TiO3solid solutions

Based on ab initio calculations for a number of the ${\mathrm{Ba}}_{\mathrm{c}}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{(1\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{c})}\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ (BST) superlattices, we developed a thermodynamic approach to these solid solutions. In particular, we calculate the BST phase diagram and show that at relatively low temperatures (below $400\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ for $c=0.5$ and $300\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ for $c=0.1$) the spinodal decomposition of the solid solution occurs. As a result, we predict for small Ba concentrations formation of $\mathrm{Ba}\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ nanoregions in a predominantly $\mathrm{Sr}\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ matrix and …

<title>Computer modeling of point defects, polarons, excitons, and surfaces in perovskite ferroelectrics</title>

We review results of our recent large-scale computer simulations of point defects, excitons and polarons in ABO3 perovskite crystals, focusing mostly on KNbO3 and KTaO3 as representative examples. We have calculated the atomic and electronic structure of defects, their optical absorption and defect-induced electron density redistribution. The majority of results are obtained using the quantum chemical method of the intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) based on the Hartree-Frock formalism. The main findings are compared with results of ab initio Density Functional Theory (FP-LMTO) first-principles calculations. The results of the electronic structure calculations for different…

Jahn-Teller effect in the phonon properties of defective SrTiO3from first principles

the Jahn–Teller effect occurs, thus reducing the cubic symmetry of a perfect crystal and leading to the appearance of both Raman- and infrared-active vibrational modes. The calculated phonon densities of states and group-theoretical analysis of defect-induced phonon frequencies were used for the interpretation of the relevant experimental data, once defect-induced local modes are identified. The temperature dependence of the Vo formation energy based on the calculated Gibbs free energy was also compared with experiments, and the phonon contribution therein estimated.

Theoretical investigations of nitrogen doping on Co 3 O 4 for water dissociation catalytically activity

We report the results of theoretical investigations of nitrogen doping on Co 3 O 4 (100) bulk by means of the plane-wave periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations combined with the Hubbard-U approach and statistical thermodynamics.Using accurate DFT+U calculations, we have shown that bulk Co ions denote charges in value 0.017 - 0.57e. For further water adsorption process studies was selected structures with most changes in charges in Co ions: (3) structure for n = 25%, (2) structure forn = 12.5% and structure for (1) structure.

Calculations of the atomic structure of the KNbO3 (110) surface

Abstract The O-terminated KNbO 3 (110) surface is modeled using a semi-empirical shell model and two different short-range interatomic potentials. We find this surface to be unstable with respect to a strong reconstruction and K-termination. This conclusion is confirmed by preliminary calculations using the ab initio linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) formalism.

Comparative theoretical study of the Ag–MgO (100) and (110) interfaces

We have calculated the atomic and electronic structures of Ag–MgO(100) and (110) interfaces using a periodic (slab) model and an ab initio Hartree–Fock approach with a posteriori electron correlation corrections. The electronic structure information includes interatomic bond populations, effective charges, and multipole moments of ions. This information is analyzed in conjunction with the interface binding energy and the equilibrium distances for both interfaces for various coverages. There are significant differences between partly covered surfaces and surfaces with several layers of metal, and these can be understood in terms of electrostatics and the electron density changes. For complet…

Atomic and electronic structure of hydrogen on ZnO (11̄00) surface: ab initio hybrid calculations

Hydrogen atoms unavoidably incorporated into ZnO during growth of bulk samples and thin films considerably affect their electrical conductivity. The results of first principles hybrid LCAO calculations are discussed for hydrogen atoms in the bulk and on the non-polar ZnO (100) surface. The incorporation energy, the atomic relaxation, the electronic density redistribution and the electronic structure modifications are compared for the surface adsorption and bulk interstitial H positions. It is shown that hydrogen has a strong binding with the surface O ions (2.7 eV) whereas its incorporation into bulk is energetically unfavorable. Surface hydrogen atoms are very shallow donors, thus, contrib…

The Adhesion Nature of Ag/MgO Interface: Hartree-Fock Study

AbstractThe atomic and electronic structure of the Ag/MgO interface are calculated using the ab initio Hartree-Fock approach and a supercell model. The electronic density distribution is analyzed in detail for isolated and interacting slabs of a metal and MgO. The energetically most favorable adsorption position for Ag atoms is found to be above the O atoms. The binding energy is 0.20 eV (0.41 eV) for one and three Ag layers atop MgO substrate, respectively. The relevant equilibrium Ag-O distance is 2.64 Å(2.41 Å). Neither appreciable charge transfer in the interfacial region, nor considerable population of bonds between the silver layer and the insulating substrate take place. The adhesion…

Computer Modeling of Defects and Surfaces in Advanced Perovskite Ferroelectrics

The (110) surface relaxations are calculated for SrTiO3 and BaTiO3 perovskites. The positions of atoms in 16 near-surface layers placed atop a slab of rigid ions are optimized. Strong surface rumpling and surface-induced dipole moments perpendicular to the surface are predicted for both the O-terminated and Ti-terminated surfaces. Calculated optical properties of basic point defects – F-type centres and hole polarons – in KNbO3 are used for the interpretation of available experimental data.

First principles calculations on CeO2 doped with Tb3+ ions

This research was funded by the Latvian Council of Science (under the grant project lzp-2018/1-0147). Authors thank W. Chueh, J. Serra, R. Merkle, A. Popov for fruitful discussions.

Modeling of Point Defects in Corundum Crystals

Several different approaches including Hartree-Fock ab initio cluster calculations, semiempirical INDO calculations, and atom-atom potentials were used for modeling of the spatial and electronic structure as well as migration mechanisms of both intrinsic defects (self-trapped and defect-trapped holes, O and Al vacancies) and impurities (transition-metal ions like Co, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ti). The atomic structure of all hole centers is found to be similar to V[sub K] centers in alkali halides (two-site model); their formation is energetically favorable. The energy required for 60[degree] hole reorientations inside the basic oxygen triangles is found to be similar to both the energy for hops between …

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 …

The kinetics of diffusion-controlled annealing of Frenkel defects in alkali halide crystals

Abstract The annealing kinetics of the strongly correlated (the so-called geminate) pairs of both neutral F,H centers as well as F, I centers entering secondary triplets (F…Ihellip; self-trapped hole) in KCl and KBr crystals is calculated. In this model diffusion of hole I and H centers and their annihilation with electron F centers at short relative distances stimulated by the elastic or Coulomb interaction are taken into account. It is demonstrated that F,H pairs are destroyed by tunneling recombination already at times ≤ 10−4 s, i.e. much before the beginning of the thermostimulated experiments. A possible explanation of this contradiction is discussed.

Ab initio simulations on AgCl(111) surface and AgCl(111)/α-Al2O3(0001) interface

The defect chemistry and ionic transport properties of the AgCl(111)/α-Al 2 O 3 (0001) interface were consid by using ab initio slab calculations. These calculations were performed in the framework of plane-wave basis combined with the density functional theory (DFT), as implemented into the VASP computer code, and Gaus basis set combined with the Hartree-Fock method (CRYSTAL-98 code). We analyze the electron density distribu on the interface and the electrostatic potential distribution near the AgCl surface. The size of the silver ion is great to enter the corundum surface layer and to create excess silver ions in this way. This is in agreement the experiments on heterogeneous doping of Ag…

Quantum chemical calculations of KTN solid solutions

Abstract The results of semi-empirical calculations for perovskite KNbxTa1−xO3 (KTN) solid solutions are presented for x = 0.04, 0.11, 0.89, and 0.96. Quantum chemical method of the Intermediate Neglect of the Differential Overlap (INDO) was combined with 135- and 320-atom supercells. Analysis of the optimised atomic and electronic structure has clearly demonstrated that several nearest Nb atoms substituting for Ta in KTaO3 — unlike Ta impurities in KNbO3 — reveal the self-ordering effect, which probably triggers the ferroelectricity observed in KTN.

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…

Oxygen Vacancy Formation and Migration within the Antiphase Boundaries in Lanthanum Scandate-Based Oxides: Computational Study.

The study was performed with the financial support from the Latvian Council of Science under the grant agreement LZP-2020/2-0009. Calculations were performed at the HLRS, University of Stuttgart, within the project 12939 DEFTD. The Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (Latvia), as the Centre of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Frame-work Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-Teaming Phase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART2.

<title>Large-scale first-principles calculations of Fe-doped SrTiO<formula><inf><roman>3</roman></inf></formula></title>

The energy level positions in the optical gap and atomic geometry for the Fe4+ impurity substituting for a host Ti atom in SrTiO3 are calculated using the Unrestricted Hartree-Fock (UHF) method and supercells containing up to 320 atoms. In agreement with experiment, the high spin (S = 2) state is much lower in energy than the zero-spin state. The energy level positions strongly depend on the asymmetric displacements of six nearest O ions which is a combination of the Jahn-Teller and breathing modes. A considerable covalent bonding between the Fe ion and four nearest O ions takes place. We predict a strong dependence of optical absorption energies on the crystal compression or internal tensi…

Quantum chemical modelling of electron polarons and  green  luminescence in PbTiO3perovskite crystals

In an extension of our previous study on the electron polarons and excitons in KNbO3, KTaO3 and BaTiO3 (Kotomin E A, Eglitis R I and Borstel G 2000 J. Phys. Condens. Matter 12 L557; Eglitis R I, Kotomin E A and Borstel G 2002 J. Phys. Condens. Matter 14 3735) by the semiempirical Hartree–Fock method we present here results for free electron polarons in the PbTiO3 perovskite crystal. We discuss the origin of the intrinsic visible band emission of PbTiO3 perovskite oxides (so-called 'green luminescence') which has remained a topic of high interest during the last quarter of a century. We present a theoretical calculation modelling this emission in the framework of a concept of charge transfer…

Semi-empirical defect calculations for the perovskite KNbO3

A new parametrization of the classical shell model for the cubic phase of the perovskite KNbO3 has been derived and used to calculate the structural, elastic and dielectric properties of this material. Using this parametrization, the defect formation and migration energies, as well as atomic displacements, have been calculated. In parallel, the quantum mechanical method of the intermediate neglect of the differential overlap (INDO) has been applied to the same problem. The migration energies for the O vacancy obtained by these quite different methods are reasonably close (0.68 eV and 0.79 eV, respectively) and also agree with the only experimental estimate available of approximately 1 eV. A…

Aggregation of Frenkel defects under irradiation: a mesoscopic approach

The radiation-induced aggregation of Frenkel defects in solids is studied in terms of a mesoscopic approach. The asymmetry in elastic interactions between mobile interstitials (I-I) and between interstitials and vacancies (I-V) plays a decisive riile in the aggregation of similar defects. The conditions for defect aggregation are studied in detail for NaCl crystals. The critical dose rate for aggregation has been calculated as a function of the temperature as well as the aggregation rate as a function of temperature and dose rate. Furthermore, the r&e of deep traps (like impurities and di-vacancies), reducing the mobility of interstitials, and the r&le of dislocations serving as sinks for i…

Luminescence properties of KNbO3 crystals

Thermostimulated luminescence, X-ray-induced luminescence, photostimulated luminescence as well as the time-resolved luminescence and absorption after pulsed electron beam irradiation were studied in KNbO3 crystals at 80–400 K. A correlation between defects causing the luminescence and blue-light-induced IR absorption effects supressing the second harmonic generation efficiency in KNbO3 is discussed.

Microscopic approach to the kinetics of pattern formation of charged molecules on surfaces.

A microscopic formalism based on computing many-particle densities is applied to the analysis of the diffusion-controlled kinetics of pattern formation in oppositely charged molecules on surfaces or adsorbed at interfaces with competing long-range Coulomb and short-range Lennard-Jones interactions. Particular attention is paid to the proper molecular treatment of energetic interactions driving pattern formation in inhomogeneous systems. The reverse Monte Carlo method is used to visualize the spatial molecular distribution based on the calculated radial distribution functions (joint correlation functions). We show the formation of charge domains for certain combinations of temperature and dy…

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…

Electronic structure and thermodynamic stability ofLaMnO3andLa1−xSrxMnO3(001) surfaces:Ab initiocalculations

We present the results of ab initio hybrid density-functional calculations of the atomic and the electronic structures of ${\text{LaMnO}}_{3}$ (LMO) and ${\text{La}}_{1\ensuremath{-}{x}_{b}}{\text{Sr}}_{{x}_{b}}{\text{MnO}}_{3}$ (001) surfaces. The total energies obtained from these calculations were used to analyze thermodynamic stability of the surfaces. We predict Sr and O vacancy segregation to the surface to occur with similar energies ($\ensuremath{\sim}0.5\text{ }\text{eV}$ per defect). In pure LMO only ${\text{MnO}}_{2}$ termination is thermodynamically favorable under typical operational conditions of a cathode in solid oxide fuel cells, whereas Sr doping makes La(Sr)O termination …

Ab initio modeling of oxygen impurity atom incorporation into uranium mononitride surface and subsurface vacancies

The incorporation of oxygen atoms has been simulated into either nitrogen or uranium vacancy at the UN(001) surface, sub-surface or central layers. For calculations on the corresponding slab models both the relativistic pseudopotentials and the method of projector augmented-waves (PAW) as implemented in the VASP computer code have been used. The energies of O atom incorporation and solution within the defective UN surface have been calculated and discussed. For different configurations of oxygen ions at vacancies within the UN(001) slab, the calculated density of states and electronic charge re-distribution was analyzed. Considerable energetic preference of O atom incorporation into the N-v…

Theory of bound polarons in oxide compounds

We present a multilateral theoretical study of bound polarons in oxide compounds MgO and \alpha-Al_2O_3 (corundum). A continuum theory at arbitrary electron-phonon coupling is used for calculation of the energies of thermal dissociation, photoionization (optically induced release of an electron (hole) from the ground self-consistent state), as well as optical absorption to the non-relaxed excited states. Unlike the case of free strong-coupling polarons, where the ratio \kappa of the photoionization energy to the thermal dissociation energy was shown to be always equal to 3, here this ratio depends on the Froehlich coupling constant \alpha and the screened Coulomb interaction strength \beta.…

Ab initio DFT+U study of He atom incorporation into UO(2) crystals.

We present and discuss results of a density functional theory (DFT) study of a perfect UO2 crystals and He atoms in octahedral interstitial positions. We have calculated basic bulk crystal properties and He incorporation energies into the low temperature anti-ferromagnetic UO2 phase using several exchange-correlation functionals within the spin-polarized local density (LDA) and generalized gradient (GGA) approximations. In all these DFT calculations we included the on-site correlation corrections using the Hubbard model (DFT+U approach). We analysed a potential crystalline symmetry reduction and confirmed the presence of the Jahn-Teller effect in a perfect UO2. We discuss also the problem o…

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.

Modeling of defects and surfaces in perovskite ferroelectrics

The results of electronic structure calculations for different terminations of SrTiO3 (100) and (110) perovskite thin films are discussed. These calculations are based on the ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF) method and Density Functional Theory (DFT). Results are compared with previous ab initio plane-wave LDA and classical Shell Model (SM) calculations. Calculated considerable increase of the Ti – O chemical bond covalency nearby the surface is confirmed by experimental data. Our quantum chemical calculations performed by means of the intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) method confirm the existence of self-trapped electrons in KNbO3, KTaO3 and BaTiO3 crystals. The relevant latti…

Electromechanical Properties of Ba(1–x)SrxTiO3 Perovskite Solid Solutions from First-Principles Calculations

Many thanks to M. Maček-Kržmanc, R. A. Evarestov, D. Gryaznov and D. Fuks for fruitful discussions. This study was supported by the ERA-NET HarvEnPiez project.

First-principles calculations of perovskite thin films

Abstract The results of the electronic structure calculations for different surface terminations of SrTiO3 (1 0 0) perovskite thin films are discussed. These calculations are based on ab initio Hartree–Fock method with a posteriori electron correlation corrections and density functional theory with a number of different exchange-correlation functionals, including hybrid (B3PW, B3LYP) exchange techniques. Results are compared with previous ab initio plane-wave local density approximation and classical shell model calculations. Calculated considerable increase of the Ti–O chemical bond covalency nearby the surface is confirmed by experimental data. We predict also the band-gap reduction, espe…

Some nonlinear properties of ferroelectric smart materials

Four types of nonlinear properties of ferroelectric smart materials have been considered: nonlinear dynamics of the paraelectric–ferroelectric interphase boundaries, nonlinear equilibrium excitations}domain walls, nonlinear response of the domain structure near the first-order phase transition}wetting of domain walls}andnonlinear effects causedby external high magnetic fields. The above mentioned nonlinearities have been studied in ðBa; SrÞTiO3ðBSTÞ and PbðZr; TiÞO3ðPZTÞ. # 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

A Contradiction between Pulsed and Steady-State Studies in the Recombination Kinetics of Close Frenkel Defects in KBr and KCl Crystals

Theoretical study of the kinetics of the correlated annealing of pairs of close (geminate) F-H centers in KCl and KBr crystals controlled by their diffusion and elastic attraction shows that the multi-step (kink) decay in defect concentrations observed more than once in thermostimulated experiments takes place only for very close F-H center pairs which are no further than fourth nearest neighbors. On the other hand, it is demonstrated (both theoretically and experimentally) that such F-H center pairs should be destroyed by the tunneling recombination already at time ≤10 -4 s, i.e. much before beginning of the thermostimulated experiments. Possible explanations of this contradiction are sugg…

Hybrid density functional theoretical study of NASICON-type NaxTi2(PO4)3 (x = 1–4)

Sodium Super Ionic Conductor (NASICON) structured phosphate framework compounds represent a very attractive class of materials for their use as Na-ion battery electrodes. A series of NASICON-structured NaxTi2(PO4)3 compounds corresponding to varying degrees of sodiation (x = 1–4) have been investigated using high-level hybrid density functional theory calculations using the Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals and Gaussian-type basis set formalism together with hybrid B1WC and HSE06 exchange–correlation functionals. Using primitive cells of NaxTi2(PO4)3 compounds with different stoichiometry, sodium sublattice structure and titanium oxidation states are constructed and analyzed using group…

Radiation-induced point defects in simple oxides

We present a survey of recent theoretical studies of radiation-induced point defects in simple oxides with emphasis on highly ionic MgO, partly-covalent corundum (Al2O3) and ferroelectric KNbO3. The atomic and electronic structure of the electronic (F a and F centers) and hole centers, as well as interstitial atoms therein are discussed in light of the available experimental data. Results for defect diAusion and photo-stimulated F a fi F center conversion are also ana

Atomistic Modeling of a New Storage

It was observed that Me/Li2O and Me/LiF nanocomposites (Me is a metal that does not alloy with lithium) are able to exhibit an extra Li storage typically beyond the uptake of stoichiometric Li in the potential window 1.2 0.02 V, with pseudo-capacitive behavior and high-rate performance. Among the composites, the Ru/Li2O exhibits a high extra Li storage at this low potential. Moreover, the Li2O matrix allows one a higher storage in contact with transition metal than the LiF matrix [1,2]. To clarify the mechanism of the Li interfacial storage anomaly, we have performed comparative first principles calculations on the atomic and electronic structure of polar Ti/Li2O(111) and nonpolar Cu/LiF(00…

The local atomic structure and thermoelectric properties of Ir-doped ZnO: hybrid DFT calculations and XAS experiments

We greatly acknowledge the financial support via the ERAF Project No. 1.1.1.1/18/A/073. Calculations have been performed under the Project HPC-EUROPA3 (INFRAIA-2016-1-730897), with the support of the EC Research Innovation Action under the H2020 Programme. A. C. gratefully acknowledges the technical support received from KTH-PDC. Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART2

The non-equilibrium charge screening effects in diffusion-driven systems with pattern formation.

The effects of non-equilibrium charge screening in mixtures of oppositely charged interacting molecules on surfaces are analyzed in a closed system. The dynamics of charge screening and the strong deviation from the standard Debye-Huckel theory are demonstrated via a new formalism based on computing radial distribution functions suited for analyzing both short-range and long-range spacial ordering effects. At long distances the inhomogeneous molecular distribution is limited by diffusion, whereas at short distances (of the order of several coordination spheres) by a balance of short-range (Lennard-Jones) and long-range (Coulomb) interactions. The non-equilibrium charge screening effects in …

The Kinetics of Excitonic Luminescence in Mixed Silver Halides

ABSTRACTTwo kinds of luminescence (excitonic luminescence and excitonic molecule luminescence) were investigated for solid solutions AgBr1-xClx after pulsed electron beam and N2 laser irradiation. Careful theoretical treatment of a set of experimental excitonic luminescence kinetics is presented. It is shown that the effective activation energy of Agoi migration is a linear function of the composition x. The narrow peak of the excitonic molecule luminescence shifts from 2.66ev in pure AgBr towards higher energies as x increases.

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 …

Theoretical and experimental study of primary radiation defects in KNbO3 perovskite crystals

Abstract The results of large-scale computer simulations of point defects – F-type electron centers and hole polarons bound to a potassium vacancy – in perovskite KNbO3 crystals are presented. One-site polarons and two-site (molecular) polarons are expected to coexist, both are characterized by close absorption energies around 1 eV. The transient absorption spectra and decay kinetics observed after ns-pulsed electron beam irradiation have been measured for different KNbO3 crystals. The relaxation kinetics of the optical density vary considerably for different impurity concentrations and sample stoichiometries. Experimental data are discussed in the light of the presented calculations.

Ab initio study of phase competition in (La1−c,Src)CoO3 solid solutions

Abstract (La 1 − c ,Sr c )CoO 3 (LSC) solid solutions are promising materials for high temperature electrochemical cells and cathodes of solid oxide fuel cells. The Density Functional Theory (DFT) was applied to calculate the energies of the different superstructures in LSC which are stable with respect to formation of anti-phase domains. The energy parameters determining the relative stability of the cubic superstructures (phases) are extracted from these calculations. Using the Concentration Wave formalism and the energy parameters for different phases from DFT calculations, the temperature dependences of the long-range order parameters were obtained characterizing the order–disorder tran…

Formation, diffusion, and aggregation of radiation-induced defects in MgO and α-Al 2 O 3

MgO and M2O3 (corundum) are important ceramic materials with several technological applications including theirpossible use in fusion reactors' . Weare therefore studying the properties ofpoint defects (vacancies, interstitials, andtheir aggregates) and electronic defects (trapped holes and electrons) in these materials. Pair-potential (PP) calculationswere carried out using the Mott-Littleton (ML) two-region strategy, as implemented in the computer code CASCADEdue to Leslie. Details ofthe method, including the construction ofPPs, are in the literature3. For semi-empirical INDO(intermediate neglect ofdifferential overlap) calculations computer codes developed at the University of Riga were …

Role of Intrinsic Dipoles in the Evaporation‐Driven Assembly of Perovskite Nanocubes into Energy‐Harvesting Composites

Domain wall splitting and creation of the fine domain structure

Abstract The study of the movement of the paraelectric-ferroelectric interphase boundary in (Ba,Sr)TiO 3 with concentration change is provided in the framework of the mean-field theory. The analytical solution for the parameters of motion of the interphase boundary is applied to the calculations of the splitting of domain walls in (Ba,Sr)TiO 3 for different concentrations of Sr. The calculations are based on the experimental data for the Curie–Weiss constant and for the parameters of the Landau–Ginzburg expression for the free energy.

Semi-empirical simulations of surface relaxation for perovskite titanates

The (100) and (110) surface relaxations are calculated for SrTiO 3 and BaTiO 3 perovskite thin films. By means of a semi-empirical shell model, the positions of atoms in 16 near-surface layers placed atop a slab of rigid ions are calculated. Surface rumpling and surface-induced dipole moments are calculated for all possible surface terminations. Our results for the (100) surface structure are in good agreement with ab-initio plane-wave pseudopotential calculations and LEED experiments. The surface energy for the Ba-, Sr-, TiO-terminated (110) surfaces is found to be much larger than that for the (100) surface. In contrast, the surface energy for the asymmetric O termination, where outermost…

Effect of nonequilibrium charge screening in A + B ? 0 bimolecular reactions in condensed matter

The formalism of many-particle densities developed earlier by the present authors is applied to the study of the cooperative effects in the kinetics of bimolecular A +B--*0 reactions between oppositely charged particles (reactants). It is shown that unlike the Debye-Hiickel theory in statistical physics, here charge screening has essentially a nonequilibrium character. For the asymmetric mobility of reactants (DA=0, D~4:0) the joint spatial distribution of similar immobile reactants A reveals at short distances a singular character associated with their aggregation. The relevant reaction rate does not approach a steady state (as it does in the symmetric case, DA=DB), but increases infinitel…

<title>High-excitation-density luminescence as probe of mixed silver halides</title>

Two kinds of intrinsic luminescence in mixed AgBr1-xClx (1 io. Dependence of the parameters of this process on crystal composition has been investigated in terms of spatially well correlated Frenkel defect recombinations. The main effect found was the linear increase of the Agio migration energy with the crystal composition x. The second kind of luminescence arising due to exciton molecules has been shown to be sensitive to the solid solution composition and the quality of a crystal. It is shown that this luminescence correlates with the optical losses of the fibers studied.

Effect of reactant spatial distribution in theA+B→0reaction kinetics in one dimension with Coulomb interaction

The effect of nonequilibrium charge screening in the kinetics of the one-dimensional, diffusion-controlled $A+B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ reaction between charged reactants in solids and liquids is studied. The incorrectness of the static, Debye-H\"uckel theory is shown. Our microscopic formalism is based on the Kirkwood superposition approximation for three-particle densities and the self-consistent treatment of the electrostatic interactions defined by the nonuniform spatial distribution of similar and dissimilar reactants treated in terms of the relevant joint correlation functions. Special attention is paid to the pattern formation due to a reaction-induced non-Poissonian fluctuation sp…

Modelling of defects and surfaces in perovskite ferroelectrics

The results of electronic structure calculations for different terminations of SrTiO 3 (100) and (110) perovskite thin films are discussed. These calculations are based on the ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF) method and Density Functional Theory (DFT). Results are compared with previous ab initio plane-wave LDA and classical Shell Model (SM) calculations. Calculated considerable increase of the Ti-O chemical bond covalency nearby the surface is confirmed by experimental data. Our quantum chemical calculations performed by means of the intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) method confirm the existence of self-trapped electrons in KNbO 3 , KTaO 3 and BaTiO 3 crystals. The relevant la…

Ab initio modelling of oxygen vacancies and protonic defects in La1−xSrxFeO3−δ perovskite solid solutions

Using hybrid density functionals, detailed ab initio calculations were performed for oxygen vacancies and protons in La1−xSrxFeO3−δ perovskite solid solutions which may serve as a cathode material in protonic ceramic fuel cells. The atomic and electronic structures of different configurations of defects and the role of Fe oxidation state are analyzed in detail. The energetics of the reduction and hydration reactions are investigated. The hydration energy is found to be significantly smaller than for Ba(Zr1−xYx)O3−x/2 electrolyte materials, and the role of basicity as one decisive factor is discussed.

First-Principles Simulations of Interstitial Atoms in Ionic Solids

The atomic and electronic structure of the radiation-induced interstitial atoms in MgO and KCl crystals representing two broad classes of ionic solids are calculated and compared. The first-principles full potential LMTO method is applied to a 16-atom supercell. For both crystals the energetically most favourable configuration is a dumbbell centered at a regular anion site. Its (110) and (111) orientations are very close in energy which permits the dumbbell to rotate easily on a lattice site. The mechanism and the relevant activation energy for thermally activated diffusion hops from the dumbbell equilibrium position to the cube face and cube center are discussed in the light of the availab…

Polaronic-type excitons in ferroelectric oxides: Microscopic calculations and experimental manifestation

We discuss the current experimental and theoretical understanding of new polaronic-type excitons in ferroelectric-oxides charge-transfer vibronic excitons ~CTVE’s!, which are pairs of strongly correlated electronic and hole polarons. It is shown that charge-transfer‐lattice distortion interactions are the driving forces for CTVE formation. Hartree-Fock-type calculations performed in the framework of the intermediate neglect of differential overlap ~INDO! method as well as photoluminescence, second-harmonic generation, and UVabsorption high-temperature studies performed for ABO3 ferroelectric oxides strongly support the CTVE existence. Both single CTVE and a phase of strongly correlated CTVE…

A new phase in ferroelectric oxides: The phase of charge transfer vibronic excitons

It is shown, by means of Hartree-Fock-type calculations using the intermediate neglect of the differential overlap (INDO) method, that polaronic-type charge transfer vibronic excitons (CTVE) in ferroelectric oxides could lead to the formation of a new phase. The ground-state energy of this phase of strongly correlated CTVE lies within an optical gap of pure crystal, and is characterized by a strong tetragonal lattice distortion, as well as ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic ordering. It is shown also that clusters of the CTVE phase being stabilized by oxygen vacancies could be responsible for the unusually strong optical Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) in nominally pure incipient ferroele…

Formation and migration of oxygen vacancies in La1−xSrxCo1−yFeyO3−δperovskites: insight from ab initio calculations and comparison with Ba1−xSrxCo1−yFeyO3−δ

The formation and migration of oxygen vacancies in the series of (La,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3−δ perovskites, which can be used as mixed conducting SOFC cathode materials and oxygen permeation membranes, are explored in detail by means of first principles density functional calculations. Structure distortions, charge redistributions and transition state energies during the oxygen ion migration are obtained and analyzed. Both the overall chemical composition and vacancy formation energy are found to have only a small impact on the migration barrier; it is rather the local cation configuration which affects the barrier. The electron charge transfer from the migrating O ion towards the transition metal ion…

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)

First Principles Modeling of Pd-doped (La,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3Complex Perovskites

(La,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3 (LSCF) perovskites are well known promising materials for cathodes of solid oxide fuel cells. In order to reduce cathode operational temperature, doping on B-sublattice with different metals was suggested. Indeed, as it was shown recently experimentally, doping with low Pd content increases oxygen vacancy concentration which is one of factors controlling oxygen transport in fuel cells. In this Communication, we modeled this material using first principles DFT calculations combined with supercell model. The charge density redistribution, density of states, and local lattice distortion around palladium ions are analyzed and reduction of the vacancy formation energy confirmed.

Epitaxial growth of perovskite oxide films facilitated by oxygen vacancies

The authors would like to thank P. Yudin for valuable discussions, N. Nepomniashchaia for VASE studies, and S. Cichon for XPS analysis. The authors acknowledge support from the Czech Science Foundation (Grant No. 19-09671S), the European Structural and Investment Funds and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic through Programme ‘‘Research, Development and Education’’ (Project No. SOLID21 CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16-019/0000760), and ERA NET project Sun2Chem (E. K. and L. R.). Calculations have been done on the LASC Cluster in the ISSP UL.

Distinctive features of diffusion-controlled radiation defect recombination in stoichiometric magnesium aluminate spinel single crystals and transparent polycrystalline ceramics

This work has been performed within the framework of the EUROfusion Enabling Research project: ENR-MFE19.ISSP-UL-02 “Advanced experimental and theoretical analysis of defect evolution and structural disordering in optical and dielectric materials for fusion application”. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. Research of A.L, E.F.,, V.S and E.S has been partly supported by the Estonian Research Council grant (PUT PRG619); has been also carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014–2018 and 2019–2020 under grant agreement No 633053. The …

The effective diffusion coefficient in a one-dimensional discrete lattice with the inclusions

Abstract The expression for the effective diffusion coefficient in one-dimensional discrete lattice model of random walks in matrix with inclusions and unequal hopping lengths is derived. This allowed us to suggest a physical interpretation to the concentration jump – ad hoc parameter commonly used in extended effective medium theory for accounting particle partial reflection on the boundary matrix–inclusion. The analytical results obtained are in excellent agreement with computer simulations.

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 …

Water Splitting on Multifaceted SrTiO3 Nanocrystals: Computational Study

The financial support of M-ERA.NET2 Sun2Chem project is greatly acknowledged by E.K. Authors thank Dr. Marjeta Ma?ek Kr?manc and prof. Chi-Sheng Wu, for the fruitful discussions. The financial support of FLAG-ERA JTC project To2Dox is acknowledged by Y.A.M. This paper is based upon the work from COST Action 18234, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). The support is greatly acknowledged by Y.A.M. and V.K. The grant No. 1.1.1.2/VIAA/l/16/147 (1.1.1.2/16/I/001) under the activity of Post-doctoral research aid is greatly acknowledged by M.S. and D.B. The Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (Latvia) as the Centre of Excellence has received fundin…

Semi-empirical supercell calculations for free- and bound-hole polarons in crystal

Two different parametrizations of the semi-empirical method of the intermediate neglect of the differential overlap (INDO) are applied to the calculations of the small-radius hole polarons in the corundum crystal. The 80-atom supercell has been used for the study of the atomic and electronic structure of a free small-radius hole polaron (the self-trapped hole, STH) and a hole polaron bound by a Mg impurity (the so-called centre), respectively. Both parametrizations indicate that the two-site (quasi-molecular) configurations of both kinds of polaron have the lowest energy (which does not exclude the existence of one-site polarons also characterized by considerable relaxation energies). For c…

A mesoscopic approach to radiation-induced defect aggregation in alkali halides stimulated by the elastic interaction of mobile Frenkel defects

The radiation-induced aggregation of Frenkel defects in alkali halides is studied in terms of a mesoscopic approach. The asymmetry in elastic interactions between mobile interstitials (I–I) and bet...

Comparative density-functional LCAO and plane-wave calculations ofLaMnO3surfaces

We compare two approaches to the atomic, electronic, and magnetic structures of LaMnO3 bulk and the (001), (110) surfaces—hybrid B3PW with optimized LCAO basis set (CRYSTAL-2003 code) and GGA-PW91 with plane-wave basis set (VASP 4.6 code). Combining our calculations with those available in the literature, we demonstrate that combination of nonlocal exchange and correlation used in hybrid functionals allows to reproduce the experimental magnetic coupling constants Jab and Jc as well as the optical gap. Surface calculations performed by both methods using slab models show that the antiferromagnetic (AF) and ferromagnetic (FM) (001) surfaces have lower surface energies than the FM (110) surfac…

Kinetics of dimer F2 type center annealing in MgF2 crystals

Authors are greatly indebted to V. Lisitsyn, A. Ch. Lushchik and R.Vila for stimulating discussions. This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 633053. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. The calculations were performed using facilities of the Stuttgart Supercomputer Center (project DEFTD 12939).

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…

Theoretical modeling of antiferrodistortive phase transition forSrTiO3ultrathin films

Combining group-theoretical analysis and first-principles density functional theory calculations, we confirm theoretically the antiferrodistortive phase transition in ultrathin SrTiO${}_{3}$ (001) TiO${}_{2}$-terminated films and compare it with a similar transition in the bulk. We demonstrate phonon softening at the $M$ point of the surface Brillouin zone and analyze the change in the calculated electronic and phonon properties upon phase transition.

Implementing first principles calculations of defect migration in a fuel performance code for UN simulations

Results are reported of first principles VASP supercell calculations of basic defect migration in UN nuclear fuels. The collinear interstitialcy mechanism of N migration is predicted to be energetically more favourable than direct [0 0 1] hops. It is also found that U and N vacancies have close migration energies, and O impurities accelerate migration of N vacancies nearby. These values are both in qualitative agreement with the effect of oxygen on the reduction of the activation energy for thermal creep reported in the literature, as well as in quantitative agreement with the experimental data when taking into account the uncertainties. The migration energies have been implemented in the t…

Atomistic Simulations of the LaMnO3 (110) Polar Surface.

The results of atomic structure calculations, with a focus on the surface relaxation and polarization, are presented for the LaMnO3 (110) O-terminated polar surface. We compare results of the classical shell model calculations for four possible terminations, including (1 × 2) (110) surface reconstruction, and demonstrate that the latter has the lowest surface energy. The surface energy is saturated only when six to eight near-surface atomic planes are relaxed which is accompanied by the considerable dipole moments perpendicular to the surface. Results are compared with those for iso-structural BaTiO3 (110) surfaces.

Electronic and magnetic structure ofLa0.875Sr0.125MnO3calculated by means of hybrid density-functional theory

We present the results of ab initio calculations on magnetic and electronic structures of La1�xSrxMnO3 at low doping, x =1/8. Using the B3LYP hybrid exchange-correlation functional within the framework of densityfunctional theory, we predict a ferromagnetic ground state for La0.875Sr0.125MnO3 in both the low-temperature orthorhombic and the high-temperature pseudocubic phases. This is in contrast to its parent compound LaMnO3, for which we find in agreement with experiment the layered antiferromagnetic state to be the most stable one. The calculated density of states and bond population analysis suggest a tendency of formation of half-metallic spin states in the band gap of both structures.

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.

Energy Conversion: Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: First-Principles Modeling of Elementary Processes

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that directly transform the chemical free energy of combustion (e.g., H2 + O2 and CHx + O2) into electrical energy. The avoidance of a thermal detour guarantees high theoretical efficiency. As far as the temperature regimes are concerned, we distinguish between high temperature ceramic fuel cells, intermediate-temperature fuel cells, and low temperature (i.e., only slightly above room temperature) fuel cells. The high temperature fuel cells are usually based on oxide components (ternary transition metal oxides as cathodes, Ni or Cu cermets as anodes, and acceptor-doped zirconia or ceria as electrolytes). The high temperature necessary for ion conductio…

Comparative study of [001] surface relaxations of perovskite titanates

Surface relaxations of the cubic perovskite SrTiO and BaTiO crystals have been studied in the framework of the shell model. The 33 positions of atoms in several surface layers embedded into the electrostatic field of the remainder of the crystal were calculated. Ti 4q , Sr 2q ,B a 2q and O 2y ions in six near-surface layers are displaced differently from their crystalline sites. Such effects create the so-called surface rumpling, a dipole moment and the electric field in the near-surface region. Calculated atomic displacements were compared with the LEED experimental data and showed good agreement. Our simulations have demonstrated that the cubic perovskite SrTiO crystals 3 reveal surface p…

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…

Interstitial-oxygen-atom diffusion in MgO.

configuration is the ~111! dumbbell centered at a regular oxygen site, whereas face-centered and cube-centered configurations are higher in energy by 1.45 eV and 3.57 eV, respectively. The~111! configuration isclose in energy to the ~110! configuration, which allows the dumbbell to rotate easily on a lattice site. In allthese four cases the interstitial oxygen atom attracts considerable additional electron density from its nearestregular O

Thermodynamic stability of non-stoichiometric SrFeO 3−δ : a hybrid DFT study

SrFeO3-δ is mixed ionic-electronic conductor with complex magnetic structure which reveals also colossal magnetoresistance effect. This material and its solid solutions are attractive for various spintronic, catalytic and electrochemical applications, including cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells and permeation membranes. Its properties strongly depend on oxygen non-stoichiometry. Ab initio hybrid functional approach was applied here for a study of thermodynamic stability of a series of SrFeO3-δ compositions with several non-stoichiometries δ, ranging from 0 to 0.5 (SrFeO3 - SrFeO2.875 - SrFeO2.75 - SrFeO2.5) as the function of temperature and oxygen pressure. The results obtained by consid…

Analysis of the U L3-edge X-ray absorption spectra in UO2 using molecular dynamics simulations

This work was supported by a grant from the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) under the project ID s444. The resource allocation within the PSI share at CSCS and on the PSI compute cluster Merlin4 is also acknowledged. D. B. is grateful for a fellowship within the Sciex-NMS programme. A. K. was supported by Latvian Science Council Grant no. 187/2012.

First principles simulations of F centers in cubic SrTiO 3

Atomic and electronic structure of regular and O-deficient SrTiO3 have been studied. Several types of first principles atomistic simulations: Hartree-Fock method, Density Functional Theory, and hybrid HF-DFT functionals, have been applied to periodic models that consider supercells of different sizes (ranging between 40 and 240 atoms). We confirm the ionic character of the Sr-O bonds and the high covalency of the Ti-O2 substructure. For the stoichiometric cubic crystal; the lattice constant and bulk modulus correctly reproduce the experimental data whereas the band gap is only properly obtained by the B3PW functional. The relaxed geometry around the F center shows a large expansion of the t…

Ab initio study of the SrTiO3, BaTiO3 and PbTiO3 (001) surfaces

The results of first-principles calculations of the two possible terminations of (0 0 1) surfaces of SrTiO 3 (STO), BaTiO3 (BTO) and PbTiO3 (PTO) perovskites are presented. Surface atomic structures and their electronic configurations have been calculated using ab initio density functional theory (DFT) combined with hybrid (B3PW) exchange-correlation technique. Our results are compared with previous quantum mechanical calculations and available experimental data. Surface relaxations and the electronic states near valence band gap are discussed in details for all three perovskites. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.

Computer modeling of metal colloid formation in tracks of swift heavy ions in ionic solids

Abstract We present results of computer modelling of the aggregation of primary radiation defects—F centers—in ionic crystals within tracks of swift heavy ions. We study how F-aggregate properties depend on the initial density of primary Frenkel defects in the track and its radius. The mean number of F centers in aggregates is typically very small, about five defects, which greatly complicates detection of expected metal colloids by ESR.

First Principles Calculations of Oxygen Vacancy Formation and Migration in Ba1−xSrxCo1−yFeyO3−δPerovskites

Based on first principles DFT calculations, we analyze oxygen vacancy formation and migration energies as a function of chemical composition in complex multicomponent (Ba,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3−δ perovskites which are candidate materials for SOFC cathodes and permeation membranes. The atomic relaxation, electronic charge redistribution and energies of the transition states of oxygen migration are compared for several perovskites to elucidate the atomistic reason for the exceptionally low migration barrier in Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ that was previously determined experimentally. The critical comparison of Ba1−xSrxCo1−yFeyO3−δ perovskites with different cation compositions and arrangements shows that …

Thermodynamic properties of neutral and charged oxygen vacancies in BaZrO3 based on first principles phonon calculations.

The structural, electronic and thermodynamic properties of neutral and positively doubly charged oxygen vacancies in BaZrO3 are addressed by first principles phonon calculations. The calculations are performed using two complementary first principles approaches and functionals; the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) within the hybrid Hartree–Fock and density functional theory formalism (HF-DFT), and the projector augmented plane wave approach (PAW) within DFT. Phonons are shown to contribute significantly to the formation energy of the charged oxygen vacancy at high temperatures (∼1 eV at 1000 K), due to both its large distortion of the local structure, and its large negative form…

Modeling of primary defect aggregation in tracks of swift heavy ions in LiF

To simulate aggregation of primary F centers created along the path of swift heavy ions in LiF, Monte Carlo simulations were developed. Parameters relevant for defect aggregation as a result of their random hopping, such as the migration energy, temperature in the track, initial defect concentration, and diffusion time, were estimated from available experimental data. It is estimated that in the electronically excited state and under temperature locally increased up to 1200 K F centers are mobile enough to make several tens of hops. Most of the F aggregates formed are extremely small and consist only of two or three F centers. The fraction of larger F clusters ~with more than 10 defects! is…

Atomistic Theory of the Growth Mode for a Thin Metallic Film on an Isulating Substrate

We have developed a novel theory for predicting the growth mode of a thin metallic film on an insulating substrate. Our theory combines ab initio electronic structure calculations for several ordered metal/insulator interfaces with varying metal coverage, with a thermodynamic method known in the theory of alloys. We illustrate this approach for an Ag film deposited on a MgO(001) substrate. Ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations predict a high mobility of adsorbed silver atoms on the perfect magnesia surface even at low temperatures. Our theoretical analysis clearly demonstrates that the growth of metal islands is predominant at the initial stage of silver deposition on MgO, which agrees with t…

Thermal annealing of radiation defects in MgF2 single crystals induced by neutrons at low temperatures

Abstract Primary radiation defects in ionic solids consist of Frenkel defects – pairs of defects - anion vacancies with trapped electrons (F-type centers) and interstitial ions. Upon temperature increase after irradiation, the electronic F-type centers are annealed due to recombination with mobile interstitials. Analysis of the recombination (annealing) kinetics allows us to obtain important information on the interstitial migration. At high radiation doses more complex dimer (F2-type) centers are observed in several charge states, which are well distinguished spectroscopically. We analysed here available experimental kinetics of the F2-type center annealing in MgF2 in a wide temperature ra…

Void lattice formation in electron irradiated CaF 2 : Statistical analysis of experimental data and cellular automata simulations

Abstract Calcium fluoride (CaF2) is an important optical material widely used in both microlithography and deep UV windows. It is known that under certain conditions electron beam irradiation can create therein a superlattice consisting of vacancy clusters (called a void lattice). The goal of this paper is twofold. Firstly, to perform a quantitative analysis of experimental TEM images demonstrating void lattice formation, we developed two distinct image filters. As a result, we can easily calculate vacancy concentration, vacancy cluster distribution function as well as average distances between defect clusters. The results for two suggested filters are similar and demonstrate that experimen…

Large-scale ab initio modelling of defects in perovskites: Fe impurity in SrTiO3

Abstract Using the unrestricted Hartree–Fock method and supercells containing up to 160 atoms, we calculated the energy level positions in the gap and atomic geometry for the Fe4+ impurity substituting for a host Ti atom in SrTiO3. In agreement with experiment, the high-spin (S=2) state is much lower in energy than the zero-spin state. The energy level positions strongly depend on the asymmetric displacement mode of the six nearest O ions which is a combination of the Jahn–Teller and breathing modes. A considerable covalent bonding between the Fe ion and the four nearest O ions takes place.

Comparative study of polar perovskite surfaces

A novel model of the ‘‘zig–zag’’ (1 1 0) polar surface termination of ABO3 perovskites is suggested and analyzed. Classical shell model calculations for BaTiO3, SrTiO3 and LaMnO3 show that such the (1 · 2) (1 1 0) surface reconstruction has the lowest energy, comparable to that for the (1 0 0) surfaces. The calculated surface energy reaches the saturation only when 6–8 atomic near-surface planes are allowed to relax. Surface relaxation leads to the formation of considerable dipole moment perpendicular to the surface. The predicted surface polarization of thin perovskite films, even in the cubic phase, could affect their dielectric properties. � 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Kuzovkov and Kotomin reply.

Ab initio modelling of titanium impurities in α-Fe lattice

Abstract Reduced activation ferritic-martensitic (RAFM) as well as ferritic steels strengthened by yttrium oxide are considered as candidate materials for future fusion and advanced fission reactors. Addition of Ti during the manufacturing of the oxide dispersed strengthened (ODS) leads to the formation of yttrium titanium oxide particles, which size is smaller compared to yttrium oxide particles. This improves the mechanical properties and radiation resistance of the ODS steels. DFT calculations of Ti impurities have been performed to determine the factors contributing to the formation of the nanoparticles in α-Fe (bcc-Fe) based steels. The interaction energies between TiFe-OFe, TiFe-Ooct,…

Quantum chemical modelling of perovskite solid solutions

In line with our previous study (Eglitis R I et al 1998 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 10 6271) for a single Nb impurity and Nb clusters in KTaO3 we present here the results of calculations for a series of perovskite KNbx Ta 1−x O3 (KTN) solid solutions (x = 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.75, and 1). The quantum chemical method of the intermediate neglect of the differential overlap (INDO) combined with the large unit cell (LUC) periodic model is used. According to the INDO calculations, Nb impurity becomes off-centre in KTaO3 already at the lowest studied Nb concentration. Its off-centre displacement is in a good agreement with XAFS measurements. We compare our results with previous FP-LMTO calculations. Pe…

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.

Combined theoretical and experimental analysis of processes determining cathode performance in solid oxide fuel cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are under intensive investigation since the 1980's as these devices open the way for ecologically clean direct conversion of the chemical energy into electricity, avoiding the efficiency limitation by Carnot's cycle for thermochemical conversion. However, the practical development of SOFC faces a number of unresolved fundamental problems, in particular concerning the kinetics of the electrode reactions, especially oxygen reduction reaction. We review recent experimental and theoretical achievements in the current understanding of the cathode performance by exploring and comparing mostly three materials: (La,Sr)MnO3 (LSM), (La,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3 (LSCF) and (Ba,Sr)(Co,…

Phonon calculations in cubic and tetragonal phases of SrTiO3: A comparative LCAO and plane-wave study

The atomic, electronic structure and phonon frequencies have been calculated in cubic and low-temperature tetragonal SrTiO${}_{3}$ phases at the ab initio level. We demonstrate that the use of the hybrid exchange-correlation PBE0 functional gives the best agreement with experimental data. The results for the standard generalized gradient approximation (PBE) and hybrid PBE0 functionals are compared for the two types of approaches: a linear combination of atomic orbitals (CRYSTAL09 computer code) and plane waves (VASP5.2 code). The relation between cubic and tetragonal phases and the relevant antiferrodistortive phase transition is discussed in terms of group theory and is illustrated with an…

Water Splitting on Multifaceted SrTiO3 Nanocrystals: Calculations of Raman Vibrational Spectrum

The financial support of M-ERA.net SunToChem project is greatly acknowledged by L.L.R. and Y.A.M. This paper is partly based upon COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) Action 18234 Short Term Scientific Mission. The support is greatly acknowledged by E.K. and V.K. The Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (Latvia) as the Centre of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Frame-work Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-Teaming Phase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART2. The computer resources were provided by the Stuttgart Supercomputing Center (HLRS project DEFTD 12939) and Latvian Super Cluster (LASC).

Hybrid density functional calculations of hyperfine coupling tensor for hole-type defects in MgAl2O4

This work has been performed within the framework of the EUROfusion Enabling Research project: ENR-MFE19.ISSP-UL-02 “Advanced experimental and theoretical analysis of defect evolution and structural disordering in optical and dielectric materials for fusion application”. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.

Ab initiocalculations of theHcenters in MgF2crystals

MgF2 with rutile structure is important wide-gap optical material with numerous applications. We present and discuss the results of calculations for basic hole defects - interstitial F atoms (called also the colour H centres). This study is based on the large scale ab initio DFT calculations using hybrid B3PW exchange-correlation functional as implemented into CRYSTAL computer code. The electronic structure, atomic geometry, charge density distribution are calculated and discussed.

Thermodynamic stability of stoichiometric LaFeO 3 and BiFeO 3 : a hybrid DFT study

BiFeO3 perovskite attracts great attention due to its multiferroic properties and potential use as a parent material for Bi1−xSrxFeO3−δ and Bi1−xSrxFe1−yCoyO3−δ solid solutions in intermediate temperature cathodes of oxide fuel cells. Another iron-based LaFeO3 perovskite is the end member for well-known solid solutions (La1−xSrxFe1−yCoyO3−δ) used for oxide fuel cells and other electrochemical devices. In this study an ab initio hybrid functional approach was used for the study of the thermodynamic stability of both LaFeO3 and BiFeO3 with respect to decompositions to binary oxides and to elements, as a function of temperature and oxygen pressure. The localized (LCAO) basis sets describing th…

Comparison of Permeation Measurements and Hybrid Density Functional Calculations on Oxygen Vacancy Transport in Complex Perovskite Oxides

The oxygen vacancy (VO••) formation enthalpy (ΔHF) was determined from the effective activation energies obtained in the permeation measurements on a series of solid solutions La0.98–xSrxCo0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (x = 0.125–0.8) and compared with the results of ab initio calculations at finite temperatures based on the hybrid (PBE0) and GGA+U calculations, as well as previous thermogravimetric experiments. The Mulliken atomic charges, magnetic moments, and the Fe-VO•• and Sr-VO•• distances are analyzed. The strong dependence of formation enthalpy of VO•• on the Fe oxidation state due to variation in Sr and VO•• concentrations is discussed.

Theory of non-equilibrium critical phenomena in three-dimensional condensed systems of charged mobile nanoparticles.

A study of 3d electrostatic self-assembly (SA) in systems of charged nanoparticles (NPs) is one of the most difficult theoretical problems. In particular, the limiting case of negligible or very low polar media (e.g. salt) concentration, where the long-range NP interactions cannot be reduced to commonly used effective short-range (Yukawa) potentials, remains unstudied. Moreover, the present study has demonstrated that unlike the Debye–Huckel theory, a complete screening of the charges in SA kinetics (dynamic SA) is not always possible. Generally speaking, one has to take into account implicitly how each NP interacts with all other NPs (the true long-range interactions). Traditional theoreti…

Void superlattice formation in electron irradiated CaF2: Theoretical analysis

Abstract CaF2 is widely adopted as deep-UV window material and thin film optical coating. The void superlattice was observed experimentally under electron irradiation at room temperature. We performed kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulations of the initial stages of the process when short- and intermediate-range order of defects in small Ca colloids and larger interstitial aggregates (F2 gas voids) is created. The kMC model includes fluorine interstitial–vacancy pair creation, defect diffusion, similar defect attraction and dissimilar defect recombination. Special attention is paid to the statistical analysis of the defect aggregate distribution functions under different conditions (dose rate,…

Proton, Hydroxide Ion, and Oxide Ion Affinities of Closed-Shell Oxides: Importance for the Hydration Reaction and Correlation to Electronic Structure

Phenomenologically, the enthalpy of the dissociative water incorporation (hydration) of oxides is often found to be more favorable for more basic oxides. In the present work, we investigate proton,...

Adsorption of atomic and molecular oxygen on the LaMnO3(001) surface: ab initio supercell calculations and thermodynamics.

We present and discuss the results of ab initio DFT plane-wave supercell calculations of the atomic and molecular oxygen adsorption and diffusion on the LaMnO(3) (001) surface which serves as a model material for a cathode of solid oxide fuel cells. The dissociative adsorption of O(2) molecules from the gas phase is energetically favorable on surface Mn ions even on a defect-free surface. The surface migration energy for adsorbed O ions is found to be quite high, 2.0 eV. We predict that the adsorbed O atoms could penetrate the electrode first plane when much more mobile surface oxygen vacancies (migration energy of 0.69 eV) approach the O ions strongly bound to the surface Mn ions. The form…

Impact of anionic system modification on the desired properties for CuGa(S1−Se )2 solid solutions

Abstract One of promising directions of the modern solar cells’ development is related to the use of the ternary chalcopyrite crystals (CuInS2, CuGaS2 etc.) and their solid solutions as efficient light absorbing layers. Unfortunately, so far there is no systematic research linking chemical composition to useful properties allowing their optimization to increase the efficiency of solar cells. Therefore, we report the results of the detailed theoretical studies of the structural, electronic, and optical properties for the series of CuGa(S1−xSex)2 solid solutions (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) in the framework of the density functional theory. For this purpose, crystal structures are analyzed wit…

First principles calculations of oxygen reduction reaction at fuel cell cathodes

This study was partly supported by M-ERA-NET project SunToChem (EK, YM). The computer resources were provided by Stuttgart Super-computing Center (Project DEFTD 12939). Authors thank E. Heifets, M. M. Kuklja, M. Arrigoni, D. Morgan, R. Evarestov, and D. Gryaznov for fruitful discussions.

Ab initio calculations of Nb doped SrTiO3

We present and discuss the results of the large scale Hartree–Fock calculations of Nb impurities substituting for Ti ions in SrTiO3 using ab initio computer code CRYSTAL and several supercells containing up to 135 atoms. The local structure optimisation, the electronic charge redistribution, chemical bond covalence and the band-structure changes induced by the defect are analysed. According to the results of our calculations, Nb is a shallow donor; six nearest O ions are slightly displaced outwards from the Nb ion. The calculated bond population between nearest Ti and O ions (64 me) is much larger than that between Nb and O ions (8 me), since Nb impurity is more ionic than the host Ti.

The electronic and atomic structure of SrTiO3, BaTiO3, and PbTiO3(001) surfaces: Ab initio DFT/HF hybrid calculations

In our first-principles study, the electronic properties of the (001) surfaces of three key perovskite crystals, namely SrTiO"3 (STO), BaTiO"3 (BTO), and PbTiO"3 (PTO), have been calculated by means of the density functional theory (DFT) using the exchange-correlation functional containing ''hybrid'' of the non-local Hartree-Fock (HF) exchange, DFT exchange, and Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) correlation functionals, commonly known as B3PW. Such a technique allows us to get the optical bulk band gap very close to experiment unlike previous calculations of perovskites. Special attention is paid to careful calculations of the surface rumpling and change of the distances between thre…

Calculations of radiation-induced point defects, polarons and excitons in ferroelectric perovskites

Abstract We review results of our recent large-scale computer simulations of radiation-induced point defects, excitons and polarons in ABO3 perovskite crystals, focusing mostly on KNbO3 and KTaO3 as representative examples. We have calculated the atomic and electronic structure of defects, their optical absorption, defect-induced electron density redistribution, and activation energies for defect migration. The majority of our results were obtained using the quantum-chemical method of the intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) based on the Hartree–Fock formalism, as well as the shell model (SM). The main findings are compared with those obtained by means of ab initio density fu…

Optical properties of silver halide fibres: ageing effects

The relation between the structure of fibres extruded from mixed silver halides and their IR optical losses and luminescence properties is studied. The recently established ageing effect of the considerable growth of mean grain size of the fibre's polycrystalline structure (typically from 20 to 1000 nm in two years) is correlated with IR and luminescence measurements. IR spectra measured in the interval show growth of the concentrations of molecular impurities. The luminescence measurements are used for the characterization of the fibre's structure ordering. The luminescence decay kinetics is analysed theoretically in terms of the diffusion-controlled recombination of spatially well-correla…

A mesoscopic approach to point-defect clustering in solids during irradiation

Accumulation of point defects in solids during irradiation is often accompanied by self-organization processes which lead to point-defect clustering and thus to the formation of a spatially inhomogeneous defect structure. Within the framework of a mesoscopic phenomenological approach, the conditions for clustering of mobile point defects caused by their elastic interactions are studied. It is shown that differences between the elastic interaction of similar and that of dissimilar defects may lead to such clustering. Further, it is shown that the presence of impurities acting as traps for interstitials may promote the clustering process. The conditions for spatial clustering are studied for …

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…

The kinetic MC modelling of reversible pattern formation in initial stages of thin metallic film growth on crystalline substrates

Abstract The results of kinetic MC simulations of the reversible pattern formation during the adsorption of mobile metal atoms on crystalline substrates are discussed. Pattern formation, simulated for submonolayer metal coverage, is characterized in terms of the joint correlation functions for a spatial distribution of adsorbed atoms. A wide range of situations, from the almost irreversible to strongly reversible regimes, is simulated. We demonstrate that the patterns obtained are defined by a key dimensionless parameter: the ratio of the mutual attraction energy between atoms to the substrate temperature. Our ab initio calculations for the nearest Ag–Ag adsorbate atom interaction on an MgO…

Coin metal adsorption on defective MgO(001) surface: ab initio study

First principles slab calculations have been performed for Ag and Cu adsorption on periodically distributed point defects (a single O2– or Mg2+ vacancy per 2×2 surface supercell) on the non-polar MgO(001) substrate. Using the procedure implemented in the CRYSTAL-03 code, both Fs and Vs centers were modeled by retaining in the vacancy the basis set of the missing O2– and Mg2+ ions, respectively, with the local relaxation of the nearest substrate ions. Adsorption of metal atom over the Fs center (2.4 eV vs. 2.1 eV per Cu and Ag adatoms, respectively) is much stronger as compared with regular O2− sites (0.6 eV vs. 0.4 eV, respectively). The Fs center donates a substantial charge towards Ag and…

Ab initioand semiempirical calculations ofH−centers in MgO crystals

The atomic and electronic structure of ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ions substituting for ${\mathrm{O}}^{2\ensuremath{-}}$ ions in regular sites in MgO crystals are calculated using an ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF) cluster approach and its semiempirical version, intermediate neglect of the differential overlap. The theoretical optical absorption energy is predicted to be 10 eV, which is supported by analysis of experimental data for the ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ centers in a series of ionic crystals. The HF simulations of ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ion diffusion via direct interstitial hops along the [100] axis predict an activation energy of about 3 eV.

Modelling of point defects in α-AL2O3

Abstract The semiempirical method of the Intermediate Neglect of Differential Overlap (INDO), in the program SYMSYM, has been used for calculations on perfect and imperfect corundum crystals. For the perfect crystal the periodical Large Unit Cell (LUC) model was used while the Molecular Cluster (MC) model was used in defect calculations. By means of the MC model, we have investigated the optical properties of electronic centers (F+, F, F−, FMg, F− Mg) in corundum. Calculated optical properties of these defects are compared with experimental values and new bands are predicted to exist in the absorption spectrum of Mg-doped corundum. The energy levels of F-type and Mg-impurity related centers…

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…

BaCoO3 monoclinic structure and chemical bonding analysis: hybrid DFT calculations

Cobalt based perovskites have great potential for numerous applications. Contrary to a generally assumed hexagonal space group (SG P63/mmc) model as the ground state of BaCoO3 (BCO), our hybrid DFT calculations with B1WC density functional and the symmetry group–subgroup derived crystal structure model support the ground state of BCO to be indeed monoclinic, in agreement with recent experimental predictions [Chin et al., Phys. Rev. B, 2019, 100, 205139]. We found for the monoclinic BCO that the C-type anti-ferromagnetic low-spin (AFM LS) state (SG P2/c) is energetically only slightly more preferential at 0 K than the ferromagnetic (FM) LS state (SG C2/c). In turn, these monoclinic structure…

Computer Simulations of I-Center Annealing in KCl and KBr Crystals. Theoretical Interpretation of Thermostimulated Experiments

Results of computer simulations of the kinetics of correlated annealing of pairs of close α–I and F–I centers in KCI and KBr crystals, enhanced by I-center diffusion and Coulomb or elastic attractions, respectively, are presented. Special attention is paid to the conditions under which multi-stage annealing stages arise as it has been observed experimentally more than once. Our general conclusions are: (i) a weak elastic interaction affects the recombination kinetics and the survival probability even for relatively well-separated F–I pairs, the more so is true for the case of Coulomb attraction between charged α–I pairs; (ii) the multi-step (kink) structure arises only for close (typically,…

Mechanism of self-trapped hole motion in corundum crystals

Abstract Atomistic simulations of the self-trapped hole eauilibrium geometry and migration in a pure corundum crystal have been carried out using the semiempirical method of intermedia te neglect of differential overlap and atom-atom potentials, as implemented in the CASCADE code. The activation energies for three different hole-hopping mechanisms are calculated. It is shown that the 60° reorientations of a self-trapped hole and hopping to the nearest O-atom triangle reauire almost the same activation energy, approximately 0.9 eV, which agrees auite well with the experi-mental value for hole migration of 0.7 eV. A new mechanism of small-polaron motion is suggested.

DFT plane wave calculations of the atomic and electronic structure of LaMnO3(001) surface

We present the results of ab initio DFT plane wave periodic structure calculations of the LaMnO3 (001) surface. The effects related to three different kinds of pseudopotentials, the slab thickness, magnetic ordering, and surface relaxation are studied and discussed. The antiferromagnetic surface lowest in energy (that is, the spins on Mn ions are parallel in basal plane and antiparallel from plane to plane) has a considerable atomic relaxation up to the fourth plane from the surface. The calculated (Bader) effective charges and the electronic density maps demonstrate a considerable reduction of the Mn atom ionicity on the surface accompanied by a covalent contribution to the Mn–O bonding.

Generalised Maxwell-Garnett equation: application to electrical and chemical transport.

In this paper we discuss the implementation of different equilibrium concentrations in each of the phases into the Maxwell-Garnett effective medium formula for diffusion in heterogeneous media. We put the derivation given by Kalnin et al., J. Phys. Chem. Solids, 2002, 63, 449, on safer grounds and extend it to non-dilute carrier concentrations. The relation to Maxwell’s mixing rule is also elaborated. It is shown that the formula can not only successfully be applied to conductivity problems but also to describe steady state chemical diffusion in heterogeneous media such as polycrystalline samples. The comparison with the brick layer model corroborates these points but also shows that—in the…

First-principles and semiempirical Hartree-Fock calculations for F centers in KNbO3 and Li impurities in KTaO3

The LMTO method based on the density-functional theory and the semi-empirical INDO method based on the Hartree--Fock formalism are used for the supercell study of the F centers in cubic and orthorhombic ferroelectric KNbO3 crystals. Two electrons are found to be considerably delocalized even in the ground state of the defect. The absorption energies were calculated by means of the INDO method using the Delta-SCF scheme after a relaxation of atoms surrounding the F center. As an example of another type of point defect in perovskite, an isolated Li impurity in KTaO3 as well as interacting Li pairs are considered in the supercell approach, using the supercells of up to 270 atoms. The off-cente…

Self-organization in the A + B → 0 reaction of charged particles

The formalism of many-particle densities developed earlier by the authors is applied to the study of the self-organization phenomena occuring during the course of the bimolecular A + B → 0 reaction between charged particles, interacting via the Coulomb law. Unlike the Debye-Huckel theory, charge screening has an essentially non-equilibrium character. It is shown that for the asymmetric mobility of reactants (DA = 0, DB ≠ 0) similar immobile reactants A form aggregates characterized by a sharp maximum, observed at short distances, in the joint correlation function XA(r, t). Such an aggregation leads to the accelerated particle recombination n ∝ t-54 (nA = nB = n) instead of the generally acc…