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At least 1,261 records · Page 70
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Ion Size Effects on the Thermodynamic, Kinetic, and Mechanical Properties during Ion Exchange in Solid-State Electrolytes

Ion exchange offers a pathway to impose residual compressive stresses to mitigate the electro-chemo-mechanical cracking of solid-state electrolytes such as lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide. This study uses a coupled multiscale framework (integrating density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics (MD), and continuum modeling) to examine how exchange ion size influences stress, diffusion, fracture toughness, and electronic properties. Larger isovalent ions (Na + , Ag + , K + ) were exchanged with Li + , with DFT confirming their preference for octahedral 96h sites and a linear relationship between ion size and chemical free expansion coefficient. MD simulations reveal stress and concentration effects on exchange ion diffusivity at elevated temperatures, with Na + and Ag + maintaining favorable mobility while K + showing concentration-dependent clustering. Continuum modeling predicts the range of fracture strength improvements and the required ion exchange concentration profile. It was shown that a 5% surface exchange concentration can induce ∼0.6 GPa of surface compressive stress using Na + and ∼1.0 GPa of surface compressive stress using Ag + . On the other hand, larger ion exchange species may penalize Li + diffusivity by increasing the activation volume and activation energy. Interestingly, Na + has a negligible penalty on Li-ion diffusivity. The room temperature Li + ion diffusivity is reduced by ∼40% with Ag + ion exchange. Electronic band structure analysis shows no size-dependent change in the bandgap, though Ag + introduces localized defect states near the valence band maximum. This study highlights ion size as a key factor in optimizing LLZO properties, offering a framework to improve the solid-state battery performance.

Jagad, Harsh D. [Brown Univ., Providence, RI (Unit↗
DOE OSTI2021

From Three-Dimensional Clathrates to Two-Dimensional Zintl Phases AMSb 2 (A = Rb, Cs; M = Ga, In) Composed of Pentagonal M–Sb Rings

Three new antimonide Zintl phases, RbGaSb 2 , CsGaSb 2 , and CsInSb 2 , were discovered during exploration of corresponding A–M–Sb (A = Rb, Cs; M = Ga, In) ternary systems while searching for new clathrates. The AGaSb 2 phases crystallize in the tetragonal space group P4 2 /nmc (No. 137) in the LiBS 2 structure type, while CsInSb 2 crystallizes in lower symmetry in the orthorhombic space group Cmce (No. 64) in the KGaSb 2 structure type with additional disorder of one of the Cs sites. The crystal structures of all three reported AMSb 2 compounds are composed of two-dimensional [MSb 2 ] – tetrahedral layers separated by Rb + or Cs + cations. [MSb 2 ] – layers are built from fused M–Sb pentagons and hexagons, which are also the main structural units for A 8 M 27 Sb 19 clathrate cages. The semiconductor nature of AMSb 2 was suggested by band structure calculations and confirmed by transport property characterization. CsGaSb 2 is a rare example of an n-type pnictide Zintl phase. Finally, all reported compounds exhibit low thermal conductivity typical for complex antimonides of heavy elements.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Dielectric collapse at the LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 (001) heterointerface under applied electric field

The fascinating interfacial transport properties at the LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 heterointerface have led to intense investigations of this oxide system. Exploiting the large dielectric constant of SrTiO 3 at low temperatures, tunability in the interfacial conductivity over a wide range has been demonstrated using a back-gate device geometry. In order to understand the effect of back-gating, it is crucial to assess the interface band structure and its evolution with external bias. In this study, we report measurements of the gate-bias dependent interface band alignment, especially the confining potential profile, at the conducting LaAlO 3 /SrTiO 3 (001) heterointerface using soft and hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy in conjunction with detailed model simulations. Depth-profiling analysis incorporating the electric field dependent dielectric constant in SrTiO 3 reveals that a significant potential drop on the SrTiO 3 side of the interface occurs within ~2 nm of the interface under negative gate-bias. These results demonstrate gate control of the collapse of the dielectric permittivity at the interface, and explain the dramatic loss of electron mobility with back-gate depletion.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Theoretical study on the role of dynamics on the unusual magnetic properties in MnBi

Here we study the electronic structure and lattice dynamics in the ferromagnet MnBi using first-principles calculations and a tight-binding model. The band structure around the Fermi level is dominated by Bi-p states which are the primary contributors to the magnetic anisotropy energy in the low temperature structure. A tight-binding model consisting of Mn-d and Bi-p states is developed and the parameters are determined from first-principles calculations. Phonon dispersions and elastic moduli exhibit several interesting features. In conclusion, the results imply that the magnetic interaction with the crystal lattice in MnBi is considerably more complex than previously thought and in particular that there is a rich interplay between phonons and magnetism involving both magnetoelastic and magnetostrictive coupling.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Hidden Order and Dimensional Crossover of the Charge Density Waves in TiSe 2

Charge density wave (CDW) formation, a key physics issue for materials, arises from interactions among electrons and phonons that can also lead to superconductivity and other competing or entangled phases. The prototypical system TiSe 2 , with a particularly simple (2 × 2 × 2) transition and no Kohn anomalies caused by electron-phonon coupling, is a fascinating but unsolved case after decades of research. Our angle-resolved photoemission measurements of the band structure as a function of temperature, aided by first-principles calculations, reveal a hitherto undetected but crucial feature: a (2 × 2) electronic order in each layer sets in at ~232 K before the widely recognized three-dimensional structural order at ~205 K. The dimensional crossover, likely a generic feature of such layered materials, involves renormalization of different band gaps in two stages.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Cationic (V, Y)-codoped TiO{sub 2} with enhanced visible light induced photocatalytic activity: A combined experimental and theoretical study

To employ TiO{sub 2} as an efficient photocatalyst, high reactivity under visible light and improved separation of photoexcited carriers are required. An effective co-doping approach is applied to modify the photocatalytic properties of TiO{sub 2} by doping vanadium (transition metal) and yttrium (rare earth element). V and/or Y codoped TiO{sub 2} was prepared using hydrothermal method without any post calcination for crystallization. Based on density functional theory, compensated and noncompensated V, Y codoped TiO{sub 2} models were constructed and their structural, electronic, and optical properties were calculated. Through combined experimental characterization and theoretical modeling, V, Y codoped TiO{sub 2} exhibited high absorption coefficient with enhanced visible light absorption. All the prepared samples showed pure anatase phase and spherical morphology with uniform particle distribution. Electronic band structure demonstrates that V, Y codoping drastically reduced the band gap of TiO{sub 2}. It is found that both the doped V and Y exist in the form of substitutional point defects replacing Ti atom in the lattice. The photocatalytic activity, evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange, displays that the codoped TiO{sub 2} sample exhibits enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity. The synergistic effects of V and Y drastically improved the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area, visible light absorption, and electron-hole pair's separation leading to the enhanced visible light catalytic activity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Topological insulators in silicene: Quantum hall, quantum spin hall and quantum anomalous hall effects

Silicene is a monolayer of silicon atoms forming a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice, which shares almost every remarkable property with graphene. The low energy dynamics is described by Dirac electrons, but they are massive due to relatively large spin-orbit interactions. I will explain the following properties of silicene: 1) The band structure is controllable by applying an electric field. 2) Silicene undergoes a phase transition from a topological insulator to a band insulator by applying external electric field. 3) The topological phase transition can be detected experimentally by way of diamagnetism. 4) There is a novel valley-spin selection rules revealed by way of photon absorption. 5) Silicene yields a remarkably many phases such as quantum anomalous Hall phase and valley polarized metal when the exchange field is additionally introduced. 6) A silicon nanotubes can be used to convey spin currents under an electric field.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Dynamical thermoelectric coefficients of bulk semiconductor crystals: Towards high thermoelectric efficiency at high frequencies

We investigate in this work the fundamental behavior of the dynamical thermoelectric coefficients of a bulk cubic semiconductor (SC) crystal. The treatment is based on solving Boltzmann electron transport equation in the frequency domain after simultaneous excitations by dynamical temperature and electric potential gradients, within the framework of the single relaxation time approximation. The SC crystal is assumed to be a linear, elastic homogenous, and isotropic medium having a parabolic energy band structure. We further assume to deal with one type of carriers (electrons or holes) that reside in a single energy band, and we neglect any phonon drag effect. Our approach allows us to obtain very compact expressions for the different dynamical thermoelectric coefficients that nicely capture the essential features of the dynamics of electron transport. We emphasize our study about the dynamical behavior of the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT(Ω) of the SC crystal by considering the coupled electron-phonon transport. Our study revealed a very interesting and compelling result in which ZT increases in the high frequency regime with respect to its steady-state value. The fundamental reason of this enhancement is due to the intrinsic uncoupling in the dynamics of electrons and phonons in the high frequency regime.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Enhanced separation efficiency of photoinduced charges for antimony-doped tin oxide (Sb-SnO{sub 2})/TiO{sub 2} heterojunction semiconductors with varied Sb doping concentration

In this paper, antimony-doped tin oxide (Sb-SnO{sub 2}) nanoparticles were synthesized with varied Sb doping concentration, and the Sb-SnO{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} heterojunction semiconductors were prepared with Sb-SnO{sub 2} and TiO{sub 2}. The separation efficiency of photoinduced charges was characterized with surface photovoltage (SPV) technique. Compared with Sb-SnO{sub 2} and TiO{sub 2}, Sb-SnO{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} presents an enhanced separation efficiency of photoinduced charges, and the SPV enhancements were estimated to be 1.40, 1.43, and 1.99 for Sb-SnO{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} composed of Sb-SnO{sub 2} with the Sb doping concentration of 5%, 10%, and 15%, respectively. To understand the enhancement, the band structure of Sb-SnO{sub 2} and TiO{sub 2} in the heterojunction semiconductor was determined, and the conduction band offsets (CBO) between Sb-SnO{sub 2} and TiO{sub 2} were estimated to be 0.56, 0.64, and 0.98 eV for Sb-SnO{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} composed of Sb-SnO{sub 2} with the Sb doping concentration of 5%, 10%, and 15%, respectively. These results indicate that the separation efficiency enhancement is resulting from the energy level matching, and the increase of enhancement is due to the rising of CBO.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Structural, elastic, and lattice dynamic stability of yttrium selenide (YSe) under pressure: A first principle study

Structural, elastic, and lattice dynamical stability of YSe has been investigated as a function of pressure through first principles electronic band structure calculations. The comparison of enthalpies of rocksalt type (B1) and CsCl type cubic (B2) structures determined as a function of pressure suggests that the B1 phase will transform to B2 structure at ∼32 (30 GPa at 300 K obtained from comparison of Gibbs free energy at 300 K). The transition is identified to be of first order in nature with a volume discontinuity of ∼6.2% at the transition pressure. Furthermore, the theoretically determined equation of state has been utilized to derive various physical quantities, such as zero pressure equilibrium volume, bulk modulus, and pressure derivative of bulk modulus. The single crystal elastic constants have been predicted at various pressures for both the B1 and B2 structures using the energy strain method. The activation barrier between B1 and B2 phases calculated at transition point is ∼19.7mRy/formula unit. Our lattice dynamic calculations show that both the B1 as well as B2 structures are lattice dynamically stable not only at ambient pressure but also at transition pressure. The B1 phase becomes lattice dynamically unstable at ∼112 GPa, i.e., much beyond the transition pressure. The effect of temperature on volume and bulk modulus of the YSe in B1 phase has also been examined.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1995

Influence of calcium on transport properties, band spectrum and superconductivity of YBa2Cu3O(y) and YBa(1.5)La(0.5)Cu3O(y)

The comparative investigation of transport phenomena in Y(1-x)Ca(x)Ba2Cu3O(y) (0 is less than x is less than 0.25; 6.96 is greater than y is greater than 6.87 and 6.73 is less than x is less than 6.53); Y(1-x)Ca(x)Ba(1.5)La(0.5)Cu3O(y) (0 is less than x is less than 0.5; 7.12 is greater than y is greater than 6.96) and YBa(2-x)La(x)Cu3O(y) (0 is less than x is less than 0.5; 6.95 is less than y is less than 7.21) systems have been carried out. The temperature dependencies of resistivity and thermopower have been measured. It was found that the S(T) dependencies take some additional features with Ca content increase. The results obtained have been analyzed on the basis of the phenomenological theory of electron transport in the case of the narrow conductive band. The main parameters of the band spectrum (the band filling with electrons degree and the total effective band width) have been determined. The dependencies of these from contents of substituting elements are discussed. Analyzing the results obtained simultaneously with the tendencies in oxygen content and critical temperature change we have confirmed the conclusion that the oxygen sublattice disordering has a determinant effect on band structure parameters and superconductive properties of YBa2Cu3O(y). The results obtained suggest that Ca gives rise to some peculiarities in band spectrum of this compound.

Gasumyants, V. E.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Electronic Structure and Linhard Function of Iron-Based Superconductor La{sub 0.5−x}Na{sub 0.5 + x}Fe{sub 2}As{sub 2}

We perform theoretical studies of the iron-based superconductor La{sub 0.5−x}Na{sub 0.5 + x}Fe{sub 2}As{sub 2}. Using density functional calculation with virtual crystal approximation, band structures, density of states, and Fermi surfaces are obtained for different La/Na composition by varying x value. Furthermore, the nesting property is also investigated using the Linhard function. Our main findings are as follows: For undoped (x = 0.0) case, the magnetic and electronic structure share great similarities with extensively studied BaFe{sub 2}As{sub 2}. Upon hole doping (x = 0.3), the Q = (π,π) nesting property are preserved. However, upon electron doping (x = -0.3), the Fermi surfaces undergo a dramastic change into 3D and complex structure. We find this change is attributed to the comprehensive influence of band filling and chemical pressure of La{sup 3+}. We propose the asymmetric change of Fermi surfaces upon doping may in some sense explain the electron-hole asymmetry in phase diagram.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Thermoelectric properties of fully hydrogenated graphene: Semi-classical Boltzmann theory

Based on the calculated band structure, the electronic transport coefficients of chair-/boat-like graphane were evaluated by using the semi-classical Boltzmann theory and rigid band model. The maximum value of electrical conductivity for chair (boat)-like graphane of about 1.4 (0.6) × 10{sup 19} (Ωms){sup −1} is achieved at 600 K. The charge carrier concentration and the electrical conductivity linearly increase with increasing the temperature in agreement with the experimental work for graphene. The investigated materials exhibit the highest value of Seebeck coefficient at 300 K. We should emphasize that in the chemical potential between ∓0.125 μ(eV) the investigated materials exhibit minimum value of electronic thermal conductivity, therefore, maximum efficiency. As the temperature increases, the electronic thermal conductivity increases exponentially, in agreement with the experimental data of graphene. We also calculated the power factor of chair-/boat-like graphane at 300 and 600 K as a function of chemical potential between ∓0.25 μ(eV)

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Carriers confinement study of GaNAsBi/GaAs QWs emitting at 1.3 and 1.55 μm

Band structures of GaN{sub 0.58y}As{sub 1–1.58y}Bi{sub y}/GaAs quantum wells (QWs) were studied using the band anticrossing model and the envelope function approximation. The confined states energies and the oscillator strengths of interband transitions were determined for well widths L{sub W} and Bi composition y varying in the range of 4–10 nm and 0–0.07 respectively. The emissions 1.3 and 1.55 μm were reached for specific couples (L{sub W}, y). The band anticrossing effect on the in-plane carriers effective mass has been investigated at k = 0. The absorbance spectra were calculated for QWs operating at 1.3 and 1.55 μm.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Addendum: Fermiology and Electron Dynamics of Trilayer Nickelate La 4 Ni 3 O 10 .

The DFT calculations in the main text use crystal structure information determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements of La 4 Ni 3 O 10 . The room temperature XRD measurements on all samples were consistent with mixed phases of orthorhombic and monoclinic symmetry. However, the in-plane lattice constants of these two phases differ by <1%, leading to minimal influence on band structure calculations. Furthermore, any impact on the experimental Fermi surface attributable to such deviations would be obscured by broadening of the bands measured by ARPES. Therefore, the DFT calculations adopt the higher symmetry orthorhombic crystal structure with space group Cmca and lattice constants a = 5.417 Å, c = 5.468 Å, b = 27.962 Å, with some additional relaxation of the internal coordinates. The detailed atomic coordinates are presented in Supplementary Table 1.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Electronic structure of LaBr 3 from quasiparticle self-consistent G W calculations

Rare-earth-based scintillators in general and lanthanum bromide (LaBr3) in particular represent a challenging class of materials due to pronounced spin-orbit coupling and subtle interactions between d and f states that cannot be reproduced by standard density functional theory (DFT). Here a detailed investigation of the electronic band structure of LaBr3 using the quasiparticle self-consistent GW (QPscGW) method is presented. This parameter-free approach is shown to yield an excellent description of the electronic structure of LaBr 3 . Specifically, it is able to reproduce the band gap, the correct level ordering and spacing of the 4f and 5d states, as well as the spin-orbit splitting of La-derived states. The QPscGW results are subsequently used to benchmark several computationally less demanding techniques including DFT+U, hybrid exchange-correlation functionals, and the G 0 W 0 method. Spin-orbit coupling is included self-consistently at each QPscGW iteration and maximally localized Wannier functions are used to interpolate quasiparticle energies. The QPscGW results provide an excellent starting point for investigating the electronic structure of excited states, charge self-trapping, and activator ions in LaBr 3 and related materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Highly Distorted Chiral Two-Dimensional Tin Iodide Perovskites for Spin Polarized Charge Transport

Incorporating chiral organic molecules into organic/inorganic hybrid 2D-layered metal-halide perovskites results in a novel family of chiral hybrid semiconductors with unique spin-dependent properties. The embedded chiral organic moieties induce a chiroptical response from the inorganic metal-halide sublattice. However, the structural interplay between the chiral organic molecules and the inorganic sublattice, as well as their synergic effect on the resulting electronic band structure need to be explored in a broader material scope. Here we present three new layered tin iodide perovskites templated by chiral ( R/S -)methylbenzylammonium ( R/S -MBA), i.e. ( R-/S -MBA) 2 SnI 4 , and their racemic phase ( rac -MBA) 2 SnI 4 . These MBA 2 SnI 4 compounds exhibit the largest level of octahedral bond distortion compared to any other reported layered tin iodide perovskite. The incorporation of chiral MBA cations leads to circularly polarized absorption from the inorganic Sn–I sublattice, displaying chiroptical activity in the 300–500 nm wavelength range. The bandgap and chiroptical activity are modulated by alloying Sn with Pb, in the series of (MBA) 2 Pb 1-x Sn x I 4 . Finally, we show that vertical charge transport through oriented ( R-/S -MBA) 2 SnI 4 thin films is highly spin-dependent, arising from a chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect. We demonstrate a spin-polarization in the current-voltage characteristics as high as 94%. Our work shows the tremendous potential of these chiral hybrid semiconductors for controlling both spin and charge degrees of freedom.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

Structure and functionality of bromine doped graphite

First-principles calculations are used to study the enhanced in-plane conductivity observed experimentally in Br-doped graphite, and to study the effect of external stress on the structure and functionality of such systems. The model used in the numerical calculations is that of stage two doped graphite. The band structure near the Fermi surface of the doped systems with different bromine concentrations is compared to that of pure graphite, and the charge transfer between carbon and bromine atoms is analyzed to understand the conductivity change along different high symmetry directions. Our calculations show that, for large interlayer separation between doped graphite layers, bromine is stable in the molecular form (Br{sub 2}). However, with increased compression (decreased layer-layer separation) Br{sub 2} molecules tend to dissociate. While in both forms, bromine is an electron acceptor. The charge exchange between the graphite layers and Br atoms is higher than that with Br{sub 2} molecules. Electron transfer to the Br atoms increases the number of hole carriers in the graphite sheets, resulting in an increase of conductivity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗