First-principles calculations to identify key native point defects in Sr4Al14O25

This article reports for the first time an in-depth ab initio computational study on intrinsic point defects in Sr4Al14O25 that serves as host lattice for numerous phosphors. Defect Formation Enthalpies...

Thermodynamic reassessment of Au-Pt-Sn system

Au-Pt-Sn alloys are a novel class of materials with promising catalytic properties. This study provides updated information on phase equilibrium structures and thermodynamics of the Au-Pt-Sn ternary system. The formation enthalpies of Au-Sn and Pt-Sn binary subsystems were predicted by first principles calculations and these values were further refined by CALPHAD method. The results obtained accurately reproduced the experimental data. The reassessed phase diagram of the Au-Pt-Sn ternary system accurately described the phase composition of several Au-Pt-Sn alloys, which is essential for further modifications of these materials.

Thermodynamic properties of single crystals based on lithium tungstate by reaction and DSC calorimetry

For the first time, single crystals of undoped lithium tungstate and lithium tungstate doped by 1.25% molybdenum were grown by the low-temperature-gradient Czochralski technique. The standard formation enthalpies, lattices enthalpies, stabilization energies, and the heat capacity were determined in the temperature range of 320-997 K. The lattice enthalpy dependence on Mo content was constructed.

Quantum molecular dynamics investigations of protactinium (V) fluoro and oxofluoro complexes in solution

Quantum Molecular Dynamics simulations of protactinium (V) fluoro and oxofluoro complexes in solution were undertaken using density functional theory with generalised gradient approximation (and the ABINIT software package). The complexes were studied in the gas phase (at 0 K) and in solution (at 298 K) with water molecules as the solvent. We characterised all of the systems, taking into account their structures, dissociation energies, bond lengths and formation enthalpies in solution, and explained their relative stabilities. At ambient temperature, the hydrated species PaF 5, P a F 4 + $Pa{F}_{4}^{+}$ , P a O F 5 2 − $PaO{F}_{5}^{2-}$ , P a O F 4 − $PaO{F}_{4}^{-}$ and PaOF 3 were found to be the most stable (and to exhibit similar stabilities). The calculated formation enthalpies of the complexes are in close agreement with measurements made elsewhere.

DFT and HAADF-STEM Investigations of the Zn Effects on β″ Phase Structure in a Zn Added Al-Mg-Si-Cu Alloy

First-principles calculations were conducted to investigate the effects of Zn on the structure of β″ phase. The effects of Cu, which was often added in the alloy, were also taken into consideration. Firstly, single Zn or Cu atom was doped on different sites of the β″ phase. Then the formation enthalpies and lattice constants of doped β″ phases were calculated. The results showed that it was more energetically favorable for single Zn or Cu atom to occupy Si3/Al sites than other sites. Furthermore, different quantities of Zn or Cu atoms were doped on Si3/Al sites. With the amounts of doping atoms increasing, the formation enthalpies of β″ phases doped by Zn were lower than which doped by Cu, indicating that it was more preferential for Zn to enter the β″ phase when Zn content was higher than Cu. Additionally, the doping of Zn could reduce the formation enthalpies of the β″ phase, which promoted the formation of the β″ phases. As a result, the aging hardening response of the alloy was improved. High angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) characterization was also conducted on a peak-aging Zn added Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy. The HAADF-STEM image of β″ phase showed that the occupancies of Zn atoms were just on the Si3/Al sites and substituted all the Al atoms, which was consistent with the results of first-principles calculations.

Thermochemistry, Bond Energies and Internal Rotor Potentials of Acetic Acid Hydrazide, Acetamide, N-Methyl Acetamide (NMA) and Radicals

Structures, thermochemical properties, bond energies, and internal rotation potentials of acetic acid hydrazide (CH3CONHNH2), acetamide (CH3CONH2), and N-methyl acetamide (CH3CONHCH3), and their radicals corresponding to the loss of hydrogen atom, have been studied. Gas-phase standard enthalpies of formation and bond energies were calculated using the DFT methods B3LYP/6-31G(d,p), B3LYP/6-31G(2d,2p) and the composite CBS-QB3 methods employing a series of work reactions further to improve the accuracy of the ΔHf°(298 K). Molecular structures, vibration frequencies, and internal rotor potentials were calculated at the DFT level. The parent molecules’ standard formation enthalpies of CH3–C=ONHNH2, CH3–C=ONH2, and CH3–C=ONHCH3 were evaluated as −27.08, −57.40, and −56.48 kcal mol−1, respectively, from the CBS–QB3 calculations. Structures, internal rotor potentials, and C–H and N–H bond dissociation energies are reported. The DFT and the CBS-QB3 enthalpy values show close agreement, and this accord is attributed to the use of isodesmic work reactions for the analysis. The agreement also suggests this combination of the B3LYP/work reaction approach is acceptable for larger molecules. Internal rotor potentials for the amides are high, ranging from 16 to 22 kcal mol−1.

Calorimetric Studies of Magnesium-Rich Mg-Pd Alloys

Solution calorimetry with liquid aluminum as the bath was conducted to measure the enthalpy of a solution of magnesium and palladium as well as the standard formation enthalpies of selected magnesium-palladium alloys. These alloys were synthesized from pure elements, which were melted in a resistance furnace that was placed in a glove box containing high-purity argon and a very low concentration of impurities, such as oxygen and water vapor. A Setaram MHTC 96 Line evo drop calorimeter was used to determine the energetic effects of the solution. The enthalpies of the Mg and Pd solutions in liquid aluminum were measured at 1033 K, and they equaled −8.6 ± 1.1 and −186.8 ± 1.1 kJ/mol, respectively. The values of the standard formation enthalpy of the investigated alloys with concentrations close to the Mg6Pd, ε, Mg5Pd2, and Mg2Pd intermetallic phases were determined as follows: −28.0 ± 1.2 kJ/mol of atoms, −32.6 ± 1.6 kJ/mol of atoms, −46.8 ± 1.4 kJ/mol of atoms, and −56.0 ± 1.6 kJ/mol of atoms, respectively. The latter data were compared with existing experimental and theoretical data from the literature along with data calculated using the Miedema model.