scholarly journals The Ionization Energies of Dust-Forming Metal Oxide Clusters

Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 243
Author(s):  
David Gobrecht ◽  
Jan Philip Sindel ◽  
Helena Lecoq-Molinos ◽  
Leen Decin
Keyword(s):  
Metal Oxide ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Stability Limit ◽  
Silicon Monoxide ◽  
Ionization Energies ◽  
Set Constraints ◽  
Metal Oxide Clusters ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Material Forming ◽  
The Stability

Stellar dust grains are predominantly composed of mineralic, anorganic material forming in the circumstellar envelopes of oxygen-rich AGB stars. However, the initial stage of the dust synthesis, or its nucleation, is not well understood. In particular, the chemical nature of the nucleating species, represented by molecular clusters, is uncertain. We investigated the vertical and adiabatic ionization energies of four different metal-oxide clusters by means of density functional theory. They included clusters of magnesia (MgO)n, silicon monoxide (SiO)n, alumina (Al2O3)n, and titania (TiO2)n with stoichiometric sizes of n = 1–8. The magnesia, alumina, and titania clusters showed relatively little variation in their ionization energies with respect to the cluster size n: 7.1–8.2 eV for (MgO)n, from 8.9–10.0 eV for (Al2O3)n, and 9.3–10.5 eV for (TiO2)n. In contrast, the (SiO)n ionization energies decrease with size n, starting from 11.5 eV for n = 1, and decreasing to 6.6 eV for n = 8. Therefore, we set constraints on the stability limit for neutral metal-oxide clusters to persist ionization through radiation or high temperatures and for the nucleation to proceed via neutral–neutral reactions.

scholarly journals Computational Modeling of Tensile Stress Effects on the Structure and Stability of Prototypical Covalent and Layered Materials

Nanomaterials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hocine Chorfi ◽  
Álvaro Lobato ◽  
Fahima Boudjada ◽  
Miguel A. Salvadó ◽  
Ruth Franco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Stress ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Stability Limit ◽  
Density Functional Theory Calculations ◽  
Layered Materials ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Ideal Strength ◽  
Critical Strength ◽  
Calculated Stress ◽  
The Stability

Understanding the stability limit of crystalline materials under variable tensile stress conditions is of capital interest for technological applications. In this study, we present results from first-principles density functional theory calculations that quantitatively account for the response of selected covalent and layered materials to general stress conditions. In particular, we have evaluated the ideal strength along the main crystallographic directions of 3C and 2H polytypes of SiC, hexagonal ABA stacking of graphite and 2H-MoS 2 . Transverse superimposed stress on the tensile stress was taken into account in order to evaluate how the critical strength is affected by these multi-load conditions. In general, increasing transverse stress from negative to positive values leads to the expected decreasing of the critical strength. Few exceptions found in the compressive stress region correlate with the trends in the density of bonds along the directions with the unexpected behavior. In addition, we propose a modified spinodal equation of state able to accurately describe the calculated stress–strain curves. This analytical function is of general use and can also be applied to experimental data anticipating critical strengths and strain values, and for providing information on the energy stored in tensile stress processes.

scholarly journals Promoting CO2 methanation via ligand-stabilized metal oxide clusters as hydrogen-donating motifs

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhang Li ◽  
Aoni Xu ◽  
Yanwei Lum ◽  
Xue Wang ◽  
Sung-Fu Hung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Metal Oxide ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Copper Catalyst ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Adsorbed Hydrogen ◽  
Co2 Methanation ◽  
Faradaic Efficiency ◽  
Metal Oxide Clusters

AbstractElectroreduction uses renewable energy to upgrade carbon dioxide to value-added chemicals and fuels. Renewable methane synthesized using such a route stands to be readily deployed using existing infrastructure for the distribution and utilization of natural gas. Here we design a suite of ligand-stabilized metal oxide clusters and find that these modulate carbon dioxide reduction pathways on a copper catalyst, enabling thereby a record activity for methane electroproduction. Density functional theory calculations show adsorbed hydrogen donation from clusters to copper active sites for the *CO hydrogenation pathway towards *CHO. We promote this effect via control over cluster size and composition and demonstrate the effect on metal oxides including cobalt(II), molybdenum(VI), tungsten(VI), nickel(II) and palladium(II) oxides. We report a carbon dioxide-to-methane faradaic efficiency of 60% at a partial current density to methane of 135 milliampere per square centimetre. We showcase operation over 18 h that retains a faradaic efficiency exceeding 55%.

A comparative study of small 3d-metal oxide (FeO)n, (CoO)n, and (NiO)n clusters

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (40) ◽  
pp. 27858-27867 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. L. Gutsev ◽  
K. G. Belay ◽  
K. V. Bozhenko ◽  
L. G. Gutsev ◽  
B. R. Ramachandran
Keyword(s):  
Density Functional Theory ◽  
Metal Oxide ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Electronic Structures ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Generalized Gradient ◽  
Functional Theory ◽  
Metal Oxide Clusters ◽  
Generalized Gradient Approximation

Geometrical and electronic structures of the 3d-metal oxide clusters (FeO)n, (CoO)n, and (NiO)n are computed using density functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation in the range of 1 ≤ n ≤ 10.

scholarly journals Structures and Stabilities of Alkaline Earth Metal Oxide Nanoclusters: A DFT Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prinka Batra ◽  
Ritu Gaba ◽  
Upasana Issar ◽  
Rita Kakkar
Keyword(s):  
Metal Oxide ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Alkaline Earth ◽  
Earth Metal ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Growth Strategy ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Functional Theory ◽  
Hexagonal Ring ◽  
The Stability

The stability orders of a number of alkaline earth oxide cluster isomers (MO)n, M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and 1≤n≥6 have been determined by means of density functional theory studies using the LDA-PWC functional. Among the candidate structures, the hexagonal-ring-based isomers and the slab shapes are found to display similar stabilities. Stacks of hexagonal (MO)3 rings are found to be the slightly preferred growth strategy among the (MgO)6, isomers. In contrast, the slab structures are slightly preferred for the other alkaline metal oxide (MO)6 clusters. An explanation based on packing and aromaticity arguments has been proposed. This study may have important implications for modeling and understanding the initial growth patterns of small nanostructures of alkaline earth metals.

scholarly journals Computational Modeling of Tensile Stress Effects on the Structure and Stability of Prototypical Covalent and Layered Materials

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hocine Chorfi ◽  
Alvaro Lobato ◽  
Fahima Boudjada ◽  
Miguel Ángel Salvadó ◽  
Ruth Franco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Stress ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Stability Limit ◽  
Density Functional Theory Calculations ◽  
Layered Materials ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Ideal Strength ◽  
Critical Strength ◽  
Calculated Stress ◽  
The Stability

Understanding the stability limit of crystalline materials under variable tensile stress conditions is of capital interest for their technological applications. In this study, we present results from first-principles density functional theory calculations that quantitatively account for the response of selected covalent and layered materials to general stress conditions. In particular, we have evaluated the ideal strength along the main crystallographic directions of 3C and 2H polytypes of SiC, hexagonal ABA stacking of graphite and 2H-MoS2. Transverse superimposed stress on the tensile stress was taken into account in order to evaluate how the critical strength is affected by these multi-load conditions. In general, increasing transverse stress from negative to positive values leads to the expected decreasing of the critical strength. Few exceptions found in the compressive stress region correlate with the trends in the density of bonds along the directions with the unexpected behavior. In addition, we propose a modified spinodal equation of state able to accurately describe the calculated stress-strain curves. This analytical function is of general use and can also be applied to experimental data anticipating critical strengths and strains values and providing informattion on the energy stored in tensile stress processes.

CO2 Activation on Heterostructures of Bi2O3-Nanocluster Modified TiO2: Promoting the Critical First Step in CO2 Conversion

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Nolan
Keyword(s):  
Metal Oxide ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Initial Step ◽  
Difficult Problem ◽  
Carbonate Formation ◽  
Structural Distortions ◽  
Strong Adsorption ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Key Steps ◽  
Recent Experimental Work

The conversion of CO<sub>2</sub> to fuels is of significant importance in enabling the production of sustainable fuels, contributing to alleviating greenhouse gas emissions. While there are a number of key steps required to convert CO<sub>2</sub>, the initial step of adsorption and activation by the catalyst is critical. Well-known metal oxides such as oxidised TiO<sub>2</sub> or CeO<sub>2</sub> are unable to promote this step. In addressing this difficult problem, recent experimental work shows the potential for bismuth-containing materials to activate and convert CO<sub>2</sub>, but the origin of this activity is not yet clear. Additionally, nanostructures can show enhanced activity towards CO<sub>2</sub>. In this paper we present density functional theory (DFT) simulations of CO<sub>2</sub> activation on heterostructured materials composed of extended rutile and anatase TiO<sub>2</sub> surfaces modified with nanoclusters with Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> stoichiometry. These heterostructures show low coordinated Bi sites in the nanoclusters and a valence band edge that is dominated by Bi-O states. These two factors mean that supported Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> nanoclusters are able to adsorb and activate CO<sub>2</sub>. Computed adsorption energies lie in the range of -0.54 eV to -1.01 eV. In these strong adsorption modes, CO<sub>2</sub> is activated, in which the molecule bends giving O-C-O angles of 126 - 130<sup>o</sup> and elongation of C-O distances up to 1.28 Å, with no carbonate formation. The electronic properties show a strong CO<sub>2</sub>-Bi-oxygen interaction that drives the interaction of CO<sub>2</sub> to induce the structural distortions. Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> heterostructures can be reduced to form Bi<sup>2+</sup> and Ti<sup>3+</sup> species. The interaction of CO<sub>2</sub> with this electron-rich, reduced system can produce CO directly, reoxidising the heterostructure or form an activated carboxyl species (CO<sub>2</sub><sup>-</sup>) through electron transfer from the heterostructure to CO<sub>2</sub>. These results highlight that a semiconducting metal oxide modified with suitable metal oxide nanoclusters can activate CO<sub>2</sub>, thus overcoming the difficulties associated with the difficult first step in CO<sub>2</sub> conversion.

Structure, Stability and Water Adsorption on Ultra-Thin TiO2 Supported on TiN

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Julio Gutierrez Moreno ◽  
Marco Fronzi ◽  
Pierre Lovera ◽  
alan O'Riordan ◽  
Mike J Ford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Density Functional ◽  
Water Adsorption ◽  
Chemical Potential ◽  
Energy Gap ◽  
Molecular Water ◽  
Structure Stability ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Rutile Structure ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The One

<p></p><p>Interfacial metal-oxide systems with ultrathin oxide layers are of high interest for their use in catalysis. In this study, we present a density functional theory (DFT) investigation of the structure of ultrathin rutile layers (one and two TiO<sub>2</sub> layers) supported on TiN and the stability of water on these interfacial structures. The rutile layers are stabilized on the TiN surface through the formation of interfacial Ti–O bonds. Charge transfer from the TiN substrate leads to the formation of reduced Ti<sup>3+</sup> cations in TiO<sub>2.</sub> The structure of the one-layer oxide slab is strongly distorted at the interface, while the thicker TiO<sub>2</sub> layer preserves the rutile structure. The energy cost for the formation of a single O vacancy in the one-layer oxide slab is only 0.5 eV with respect to the ideal interface. For the two-layer oxide slab, the introduction of several vacancies in an already non-stoichiometric system becomes progressively more favourable, which indicates the stability of the highly non-stoichiometric interfaces. Isolated water molecules dissociate when adsorbed at the TiO<sub>2</sub> layers. At higher coverages the preference is for molecular water adsorption. Our ab initio thermodynamics calculations show the fully water covered stoichiometric models as the most stable structure at typical ambient conditions. Interfacial models with multiple vacancies are most stable at low (reducing) oxygen chemical potential values. A water monolayer adsorbs dissociatively on the highly distorted 2-layer TiO<sub>1.75</sub>-TiN interface, where the Ti<sup>3+</sup> states lying above the top of the valence band contribute to a significant reduction of the energy gap compared to the stoichiometric TiO<sub>2</sub>-TiN model. Our results provide a guide for the design of novel interfacial systems containing ultrathin TiO<sub>2</sub> with potential application as photocatalytic water splitting devices.</p><p></p>

Thermodynamic Stability of Hexagonal and Rhombohedral Bn at Cvd Conditions from Van der Waals Corrected First Principles Calculations

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Pedersen ◽  
Björn Alling ◽  
Hans Högberg ◽  
Annop Ektarawong
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Thermodynamic Stability ◽  
First Principles ◽  
Thermal Equilibrium ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Van Der Waals ◽  
Chemical Vapor ◽  
First Principles Calculations ◽  
Functional Theory ◽  
The Stability

Thin films of boron nitride (BN), particularly the sp<sup>2</sup>-hybridized polytypes hexagonal BN (h-BN) and rhombohedral BN (r-BN) are interesting for several electronic applications given band gaps in the UV. They are typically deposited close to thermal equilibrium by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at temperatures and pressures in the regions 1400-1800 K and 1000-10000 Pa, respectively. In this letter, we use van der Waals corrected density functional theory and thermodynamic stability calculations to determine the stability of r-BN and compare it to that of h-BN as well as to cubic BN and wurtzitic BN. We find that r-BN is the stable sp<sup>2</sup>-hybridized phase at CVD conditions, while h-BN is metastable. Thus, our calculations suggest that thin films of h-BN must be deposited far from thermal equilibrium.

Site preference and atomic ordering in the ternary Rh5Ga2As: first-principles calculations

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilanjan Roy ◽  
Sucharita Giri ◽  
Harshit ◽  
Partha P. Jana
Keyword(s):  
Total Energy ◽  
First Principles ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Structure Type ◽  
Site Preference ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Atomic Ordering ◽  
Functional Theory ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Bonding Characteristics

Abstract The site preference and atomic ordering of the ternary Rh5Ga2As have been investigated using first-principles density functional theory (DFT). An interesting atomic ordering of two neighboring elements Ga and As reported in the structure of Rh5Ga2As by X-ray diffraction data only is confirmed by first-principles total-energy calculations. The previously reported experimental model with Ga/As ordering is indeed the most stable in the structure of Rh5Ga2As. The calculation detected that there is an obvious trend concerning the influence of the heteroatomic Rh–Ga/As contacts on the calculated total energy. Interestingly, the orderly distribution of As and Ga that is found in the binary GaAs (Zinc-blende structure type), retained to ternary Rh5Ga2As. The density of states (DOS) and Crystal Orbital Hamiltonian Population (COHP) are calculated to enlighten the stability and bonding characteristics in the structure of Rh5Ga2As. The bonding analysis also confirms that Rh–Ga/As short contacts are the major driving force towards the overall stability of the compound.

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