Papers by Keyword: Ab Initio

Abstract: An annealing study, in the 100-1400 C temperature range ,was carried out on Cl-implanted n- or p-type 4H-SiC epilayers. The electrical characterization of the epilayers shows the rise of several deep levels and the role of Cl, on both carrier concentration and defects' microscopic structure, is discussed in the light of theoretical results obtained by density functional calculations performed on a 64-atom cubic SiC supercell.

Abstract: We present here an overview of native point defects calculations in silicon carbide using Density Functional Theory, focusing on defects energetics needed to understand self-diffusion. The goal is to assess the availability of data that are necessary in order to perform kinetic calculations to predict not only diffusion properties but also the evolution of defect populations under or after irradiation. We will discuss the spread of available data, comment on the main defect reactions that should be taken into account, and mention some of the most recent promising developments.

Abstract: The formation energies of the T.M impurities Ti and Zr were calculated using DFT calculations at absolute zero and ab initio MD simulations at 300 K. We found that, with increasing temperature, Zr impurities become more stable and prefer to segregate at the interface of ∑5 (310)[001] grain boundary. In the case of Ti, the results show that it remains a stable defect when temperature increases.

Abstract: In order to study the evolution of Ti-Si-N film growth, the total energies and absorption energies of the Ti-Si-N islands on TiN(001) surface and the activation energy of the configuration evolution have been calculated with the first principle method. Four configurations of Si-2Ti-2N island have been studied, which are a silicon atom in a 2Ti2N island (Si-in-2Ti2N), a silicon atom by a 2Ti2N island (Si-by-2Ti2N), a titanium atom by a 2N1Ti1Si island (Ti-by-2N1Ti1Si), and a nitrogen atom by a 2Ti1N1Si island (N-by-2Ti1N1Si), respectively. The investigation presents some results. In the growth process of Ti-Si-N film, (1) the Ti and N atoms bonding together to form islands and Si atoms staying outside of TiN islands will lead to the most stable configuration; (2) the Si atom tends to separate from TiN phase, but the configuration evolution is not very easy, the activation energy of the transition from Ti-by-2N1Ti1Si to Si-2Ti2N is about 1.94eV; (3) it shows a tendency for Si atoms to bond with N atoms, rather than with Ti atoms.

Abstract: A new approach to the design of Ni-based polycrystalline superalloys is proposed. It is based on a concept that under given structural conditions, the performance of superalloys is determined by the strength of interatomic bonding both in the bulk and at grain boundaries of material. We characterize the former by the cohesive energy of the bulk alloy, whereas for the latter we employ the work of separation of a representative high angle grain boundary. On the basis of our first principle calculations we suggest Hf and Zr as “minor alloying additions” to Ni-based alloys. Re, on the other hand, appears to be of little importance in polycrystalline alloys.

Abstract: This work is dedicated to simulate the spinodal decomposition of Fe-Cr bcc (body centered cubic) alloys using the phase field method coupled with CALPHAD modeling. Thermodynamic descriptions have been revised after a comprehensive review of information on the Fe-Cr system. The present work demonstrates that it is impossible to reconcile the ab initio enthalpy of mixing at the ground state with the experimental one at 1529 K using the state-of-the-art CALPHAD models. While the phase field simulation results show typical microstructure of spinodal decomposition, large differences have been found on kinetics among experimental results and simulations using different thermodynamic inputs. It was found that magnetism plays a key role on the description of Gibbs energy and mobility which are the inputs to phase field simulation. This work calls for an accurate determination of the atomic mobility data at low temperatures.

Abstract: Hydrogen desorption from hydride matrix is still an open field of research. Extensive abinitio molecular dynamics simulations are performed to characterize the desorption process at the interface MgH2-Mg. The numerical model succesfully repoduces the experimental desorption temperature for the hydride with and without Fe catalyst. Formation energies and work of adhesion are computed and linked to the desorption mechanism. Moreover a detailed analysis of the structural data reveals the role played by the catalysts in the lowering the desorption temperature.

Abstract: In order to be used for applications, the thermodynamic stability of a candidate hydrogen storage material should be suitable for hydrogen sorption at room conditions. By mixing different hydrides, it is possible to promote the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation processes. On the other hand, small changes in composition allow a tailoring of thermodynamic stability of hydrides. Knowledge of thermodynamic stability of hydrides is thus fundamental to study the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation processes and useful to rationalize synthesis reactions and to suggest possible alternative reaction routes. The purpose of this work is to develop a consistent thermodynamic database for hydrogen storage systems by the CALPHAD approach. Experimental data have been collected from the literature. When experimental measurements were scarce or completely lacking, estimations of the energy of formation of hydrides have been obtained by ab initio calculations performed with the CRYSTAL code. Several systems of interest for hydrogen storage have been investigated, including metallic hydrides (M-H) and complex hydrides. The effect on thermodynamic properties of fluorine-to-hydrogen substitution in some simple hydrides is also considered. Calculated and experimental thermodynamic properties of various hydrides have been compared and a satisfactory agreement has been achieved.

Abstract: We investigate the energy of segregation of solute Ca at symmetric tilt grain boundary in aluminum from the first-principles calculations. As energy of segregation of Ca is negative, Ca atoms tend to segregate at the grain boundary. Furthermore, on basis of the Rice-Wang model, we study the effect of the segregation of Ca on the grain boundary embrittlement of aluminum. Our first-principles calculations of energies of segregation at grain boundary and free surface show that Ca behaves as embrittler.

Abstract: Magnesium is one of the most promising materials for hydrogen storage due to its high capacity and low cost. Unfortunately, practical applications are for the moment limited by the slow kinetics and the high operating temperature. Nanostructuring magnesium hydride MgH2, generally by ball milling, introduces plastic deformations and catalysts that highly enhances the H2 absorption and desorption. However a fundamental understanding of the role played by catalysts and interfaces in MgH2 is still lacking. Microscopic characterization of MgH2-Mg system with and without heavy metal catalysts, is achieved by combining accurate SEM observations of samples after partial desorption process and atomic level ab-initio molecular dynamics simulations of MgH2-Mg interfaces. The experimental method is based on low voltage SEM observations of cross sectional powder samples, prepared by a new specific metallographic process. Identification of nucleation sites of the sorption reaction and their correlation with the presence of catalyst particles is achieved by suitable experimental conditions. Moreover ab-initio molecular dynamics clarifies the interplay of interfaces and the deformations induced during desorption by the presence of catalysts that are able to lower binding energies and free hydrogen atoms toward interfaces. Both approaches confirm and characterize the nucleation step in the catalysts driven phase transformation.