Abstract
Three novel three-dimensional orthorhombic carbon phases are proposed based on first-principles calculations in this work. These phases possess dynamic stability and mechanical stability and are theoretically more favorable in energy compared to most other carbon allotropes. The hardness levels of oP-C16, oP-C20, and oP-C24 are 47.5, 49.6, and 55.3 GPa, respectively, which are greater than those of T10, T18, and O12 carbon. In addition, although oP-C16, oP-C20, and oP-C24 are metals, their ideal shear strengths are also greater than those of common metals such as Cu, Fe, and Al. Due to p
y
electrons crossing the Fermi level, oP-C16, oP-C20, and oP-C24 show metallicity, and their charge densities of the band decomposition suggest that all the conductive directions of oP-C16, oP-C20, and oP-C24 are exhibited along the a- and b-axis, similar to C5.