AbstractUsing first-principles electronic structure calculations based on the Linear-Muffin-Tin Orbital (LMTO) method, we have investigated the effects of interstitial boron and hydrogen on the electronic structure of the L12 ordered intermetallic Ni3A1. When it occupies an octahedral interstitial site entirely coordinated by six Ni atoms, we find that boron enhances the charge distribution found in the strongly-bound “pure” Ni3AI crystal: Charge is depleted at Ni and Al sites and enhanced in interstitial region. Substitution of Al atoms for two of the Ni atoms coordinating the boron, however, reduces the interstitial charge density between certain atomic planes. In contrast to boron, hydrogen appears to deplete the interstitial charge, even when fully coordinated by Ni atoms. We suggest that these results are broadly consistent with the notion of boron as a cohesion enhancer and hydrogen as an embrittler.
Large-Scale First-Principles Electronic Structure Calculations for Nano-Meter Size Si Quantum Dots
