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Results for “Methods in superconductivity”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 973 records · Page 54
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Many-Body Potential for Simulating Self-Assembly of Polymer-Grafted Nanoparticles in a Polymer Matrix

Many-body interactions between polymer-grafted nanoparticles (NPs) play a key role in promoting their assembly into low-dimensional structures within polymer melts, even when the particles are spherical and isotropically grafted. However, capturing such interactions in simulations of NP assembly is very challenging because explicit modeling of the polymer grafts and melt chains is highly computationally expensive, even using coarse-grained models. Here, we develop a many-body potential for describing the effective interactions between spherical polymer-grafted NPs in a polymer matrix through a machine-learning approach. The approach involves using permutationally invariant polynomials to fit two- and three-body interactions derived from the potential of mean force calculations. The potential developed here reduces the computational cost by several orders of magnitude, thereby, allowing us to explore assembly behavior over large length and time scales. We show that the potential not only reproduces previously known assembled phases such as 1D strings and 2D hexagonal sheets, which generally cannot be achieved using isotropic two-body potentials, but can also help discover interesting phases such as networks, clusters, and gels. We demonstrate how each of these assembly morphologies intrinsically arises from a competition between two- and three-body interactions. Our approach for deriving many-body effective potentials can be readily extended to other colloidal systems, enabling researchers to make accurate predictions of their behavior and dissect the role of individual interaction energy terms of the overall potential in the observed behavior.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Database of ab initio L-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure

Abstract The L-edge X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) is widely used in the characterization of transition metal compounds. Here, we report the development of a database of computed L-edge XANES using the multiple scattering theory-based FEFF9 code. The initial release of the database contains more than 140,000 L-edge spectra for more than 22,000 structures generated using a high-throughput computational workflow. The data is disseminated through the Materials Project and addresses a critical need for L-edge XANES spectra among the research community.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2015

A comparative topological study of different metal-metal and metal-ligand interactions in polynuclear organometallic clusters

The existence and characterization of a bond between the Zn atoms in the recently synthesized complex [Zn{sub 2}(η{sup 5}−C{sub 5}Me{sub 5}){sub 2}] (I), as well as between two of the three Ru atoms in [Ru{sub 3}(μ−H){sub 2}(μ{sub 3}−MeImCH)(CO{sub 9}] (Me{sub 2}Im = 1,3-dimethylimidazolin-2-ylidene) (II), are firmly based on low temperature X-ray synchrotron diffraction experiments. The multipolar refinement of the experimental electron densities and their topological analyses by means of the Atoms in Molecules (AIM) theory reveal the details of the Zn-Zn and Ru-Ru bonds, such as their open-shell intermediate character. The results are consistent with a typical metal-metal single σ bond for the former, whereas a delocalized kind of bond involving 5c-6e is present in the latter. In addition, experimental results are compared with theoretical ab initio calculations of the DFT (density functional theory) and MP2 (Mo/ller-Plesset perturbation theory) electron densities, giving a coherent view of the bonding in both complexes. Many other topological properties of both compounds are also studied, in particular the different metal-ligand interactions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Artificial layered perovskite oxides A(B{sub 0.5}B′{sub 0.5})O{sub 3} as potential solar energy conversion materials

Perovskite oxides with a d{sup 0} electronic configuration are promising photocatalysts and exhibit high electron mobilities. However, their band gaps are too large for efficient solar energy conversion. On the other hand, transition metal cations with partially filled d{sup n} electronic configurations give rise to visible light absorption. In this study, by using hybrid density functional theory calculations, it is demonstrated that the virtues of the two categories of materials can be combined in perovskite oxide A(B{sub 0.5}B′{sub 0.5})O{sub 3} with a layered B-site ordering along the [001] direction. The electronic structures of the four selected perovskite oxide compounds, La(Ti{sub 0.5}Ni{sub 0.5})O{sub 3}, La(Ti{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.5})O{sub 3}, Sr(Nb{sub 0.5}Cr{sub 0.5})O{sub 3}, and Sr(Nb{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 0.5})O{sub 3} are calculated and discussed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Spatially separated charge densities of electrons and holes in organic-inorganic halide perovskites

Solution-processable methylammonium lead trihalide perovskites exhibit remarkable high-absorption and low-loss properties for solar energy conversion. Calculation from density functional theory indicates the presence of non-equivalent halogen atoms in the unit cell because of the specific orientation of the organic cation. Considering the 〈100〉 orientation as an example, I{sub 1}, one of the halogen atoms, differs from the other iodine atoms (I{sub 2} and I{sub 3}) in terms of its interaction with the organic cation. The valance-band-maximum (VBM) and conduction-band-minimum (CBM) states are derived mainly from 5p orbital of I{sub 1} atom and 6p orbital of Pb atom, respectively. The spatially separated charge densities of the electrons and holes justify the low recombination rate of the pure iodide perovskite. Chlorine substitution further strengthens the unique position of the I{sub 1} atom, leading to more localized charge density around the I{sub 1} atom and less charge density around the other atoms at the VBM state. The less overlap of charge densities between the VBM and CBM states explains the relatively lower carrier recombination rate of the iodine-chlorine mixed perovskite. Chlorine substitution significantly reduces the effective mass at a direction perpendicular to the Pb-Cl bond and organic axis, enhancing the carrier transport property of the mixed perovskite in this direction.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Palladium dimers adsorbed on graphene: A DFT study

The 2D structure of graphene shows a great promise for enhanced catalytic activity when adsorbed with palladium. We performed a systematic density functional theory (DFT) study of the adsorption of palladium dimer (Pd{sub 2}) on graphene using SIESTA package, in the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The adsorption energy, geometry, and charge transfer of Pd{sub 2}-graphene system are calculated. Both horizontal and vertical orientations of Pd{sub 2} on graphene are studied. Our calculations revealed that the minimum energy configuration for Pd dimer is parallel to the graphene sheet with its two atoms occupying centre of adjacent hexagonal rings of graphene sheet. Magnetic moment is induced for Pd dimer adsorbed on graphene in vertical orientation while horizontal orientation of Pd dimer on graphene do not exhibit magnetism. Insignificant energy differences among adsorption sites means that dimer mobility on the graphene sheet is high. There is imperceptible distortion of graphene sheet perpendicular to its plane. However, some lateral displacements are seen.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

H{sub 2} adsorption in Li-decorated porous graphene

Porous graphene (PG) has been decorated with Li atoms and subsequently studied the hydrogen (H{sub 2}) adsorption characteristics, by using Density Functional Theory (DFT)-based calculations. A 2×2 PG has been decorated with eight Li atoms. Upto four H{sub 2} molecules get adsorbed on each Li atom. The maximum H{sub 2} storage capacity that could be achieved in 2×2PG-8Li is 8.95 wt% which is higher than the U.S. DOE’s revised target for the on-board vehicles. The average H{sub 2} adsorption binding energy is 0.535 eV/H{sub 2}, which lies between 0.2-0.6 eV/H{sub 2} that is required for achieving adsorption and desorption at near ambient conditions. Thus, Li-decorated PG could be a viable option for on-board automobile applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Spectroscopic and thermodynamic properties of L-ornithine monohydrochloride

L-Ornithine Monohydrochloride (LOMHCL) has been investigated with the help of B3LYP density functional theory with 6-31 G (d, p) basis set. Fourier transform infrared and Fourier transform Raman spectra is to identify the various functional groups. The theoretical frequencies showed very good agreement with experimental values. On the basis of the thermodynamic properties of the title compound at different temperatures have been calculated, revealing the correlations between standard heat capacities (C) standard entropies (S), and standard enthalpy changes (H) and temperatures. Second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of the grown crystal has been studied.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Structural, vibrational spectroscopic and nonlinear optical activity studies on 2-hydroxy- 3, 5-dinitropyridine: A DFT approach

The conformational analysis was carried out for 2-Hydroxy- 3, 5-dinitropyridine molecule using potential energy surface scan and the most stable optimized conformer was predicted. The vibrational frequencies and Mulliken atomic charge distribution were calculated for the optimized geometry of the molecule using DFT/B3LYP cc-pVQZ basis set by Gaussian 09 Program. The vibrational frequencies were assigned on the basis of potential energy distribution calculation using VEDA 4.0 program. In the Frontier molecular orbitals analysis, the molecular reactivity, kinetic stability, intramolecular charge transfer studies and the calculation of ionization energy, electron affinity, global hardness, chemical potential, electrophilicity index and softness values of the title molecule were carried out. The nonlinear optical activity of the molecule was studied by means of first order hyperpolarizability, which was computed as 7.64 times greater than urea. The natural bond orbital analysis was performed to confirm the nonlinear optical activity of the molecule.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Stable half-metallic monolayers of FeCl{sub 2}

The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of single layers of Iron Dichloride (FeCl{sub 2}) were calculated using first principles calculations. We found that the 1T phase of the single layer FeCl{sub 2} is 0.17 eV/unit cell more favorable than its 1H phase. The structural stability is confirmed by phonon calculations. We found that 1T-FeCl{sub 2} possess three Raman-active (130, 179, and 237 cm{sup −1}) and one infrared-active (279 cm{sup −1}) phonon branches. The electronic band dispersion of the 1T-FeCl{sub 2} is calculated using both gradient approximation of Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof and DFT-HSE06 functionals. Both functionals reveal that the 1T-FeCl{sub 2} has a half-metallic ground state with a Curie temperature of 17 K.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Ba{sub 2}TeO as an optoelectronic material: First-principles study

The band structure, optical, and defects properties of Ba{sub 2}TeO are systematically investigated using density functional theory with a view to understanding its potential as an optoelectronic or transparent conducting material. Ba{sub 2}TeO crystallizes with tetragonal structure (space group P4/nmm) and with a 2.93 eV optical bandgap [Besara et al., J. Solid State Chem. 222, 60 (2015)]. We find relatively modest band masses for both electrons and holes suggesting applications. Optical properties show infrared-red absorption when doped. This could potentially be useful for combining wavelength filtering and transparent conducting functions. Furthermore, our defect calculations show that Ba{sub 2}TeO is intrinsically p-type conducting under Ba-poor condition. However, the spontaneous formation of the donor defects may constrain the p-type transport properties and would need to be addressed to enable applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Carbon as a source for yellow luminescence in GaN: Isolated C{sub N} defect or its complexes

We study three carbon defects in GaN, isolated C{sub N} and its two complexes with donors C{sub N}–O{sub N}, and C{sub N}–Si{sub Ga}, as a cause of the yellow luminescence using accurate hybrid density functional calculation, which includes the semi-core Ga 3d electrons as valence electrons and uses a larger 300-atom supercell. We show that the isolated C{sub N} defect yields good agreement with experiment on the photoluminescence (PL) peak position, zero-phonon line, and thermodynamic defect transition level. We find that the defect state of the complexes that is involved in the PL process is the same as that of the C{sub N} defect. The role of the positively charged donors (O{sub N} or Si{sub Ga}) next to C{sub N} is to blue-shift the PL peak. Therefore, the complexes cannot be responsible for the same PL peak as isolated C{sub N}. Our detailed balance analysis further suggests that under thermal equilibrium at typical growth temperature, the concentration of isolated C{sub N} defect is orders of magnitude higher than the defect complexes, which is a result of the small binding energy in these complexes.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Lattice parameters and electronic structure of BeMgZnO quaternary solid solutions: Experiment and theory

Be{sub x}Mg{sub y}Zn{sub 1−x−y}O semiconductor solid solutions are attractive for UV optoelectronics and electronic devices owing to their wide bandgap and capability of lattice-matching to ZnO. In this work, a combined experimental and theoretical study of lattice parameters, bandgaps, and underlying electronic properties, such as changes in band edge wavefunctions in Be{sub x}Mg{sub y}Zn{sub 1−x−y}O thin films, is carried out. Theoretical ab initio calculations predicting structural and electronic properties for the whole compositional range of materials are compared with experimental measurements from samples grown by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy on (0001) sapphire substrates. The measured a and c lattice parameters for the quaternary alloys Be{sub x}Mg{sub y}Zn{sub 1−x} with x = 0−0.19 and y = 0–0.52 are within 1%–2% of those calculated using generalized gradient approximation to the density functional theory. Additionally, composition independent ternary BeZnO and MgZnO bowing parameters were determined for a and c lattice parameters and the bandgap. The electronic properties were calculated using exchange tuned Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof hybrid functional. The measured optical bandgaps of the quaternary alloys are in good agreement with those predicted by the theory. Strong localization of band edge wavefunctions near oxygen atoms for BeMgZnO alloy in comparison to the bulk ZnO is consistent with large Be-related bandgap bowing of BeZnO and BeMgZnO (6.94 eV). The results in aggregate show that precise control over lattice parameters by tuning the quaternary composition would allow strain control in Be{sub x}Mg{sub y}Zn{sub 1−x−y}O/ZnO heterostructures with possibility to achieve both compressive and tensile strain, where the latter supports formation of two-dimensional electron gas at the interface.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Magnetic and magneto-transport studies of substrate effect on the martensitic transformation in a NiMnIn shape memory alloy

The effect of substrates on the magnetic and transport properties of Ni{sub 2}Mn{sub 1.5}In{sub 0.5} ultra-thin films were studied theoretically and experimentally. High quality 8-nm films were grown by laser-assisted molecular beam epitaxy deposition. Magneto-transport measurements revealed that the films undergo electronic structure transformation similar to those of bulk materials at the martensitic transformation. The temperature of the transformation depends strongly on lattice parameters of the substrate. To explain this behavior, we performed DFT calculations on the system and found that different substrates change the relative stability of the ferromagnetic (FM) austenite and ferrimagnetic (FiM) martensite states. We conclude that the energy difference between the FM austenite and FiM martensite states in Ni{sub 2}Mn{sub 1.5}In{sub 0.5} films grown on MgO (001) substrates is ΔE = 0.20 eV per NiMnIn f.u, somewhat lower compared to ΔE = 0.24 eV in the bulk material with the same lattice parameters. When the lattice parameters of Ni{sub 2}Mn{sub 1.5}In{sub 0.5} film have values close to those of the MgO substrate, the energy difference becomes ΔE = 0.08 eV per NiMnIn f.u. These results suggest the possibility to control the martensitic transition in thin films through substrate engineering.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Computational study of frontier orbitals, moments, chemical reactivity and thermodynamic parameters of sildenafil

Analysis of frontier orbitals of sildenafil has been carried using Density Functional Theory. On the basis of HOMO-LUMO energy, values of global chemical reactivity descriptors such as electronegativity, chemical hardness, softness, chemical potential, electrophilicity index have been calculated. Calculated values of dipole moment, polarizability, hyperpolarizability have also been reported for sildenafil along with its thermodynamic parameters.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

The LDA+U calculation of electronic band structure of GaAs

We present the electronic band structure of bulk gallium arsenide (GaAs) using first principle approach. A series of calculations has been performed by applying norm-conserving pseudopotentials and ultrasoft non-norm-conserving pseudopotentials within the density functional theory. These calculations yield too small band gap as compare to experiment. Thus, we use semiemperical approach called local density approximation plus the multi-orbital mean-field Hubbard model (LDA+U), which is quite effective in order to describe the band gap of GaAs.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Density functional theory based simulations of silicon nanowire field effect transistors

First-principles density functional theory (DFT) based, atomistic, self-consistent device simulations are performed for realistically sized Si nanowire field effect transistors (NW FETs) having tens of thousands of atoms. Through mode space transformation, DFT Hamiltonian and overlap matrices are reduced in size from a few thousands to around one hundred. Ultra-efficient quantum-mechanical transport calculations in the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism in a non-orthogonal basis are therefore made possible. The n-type and p-type Si NW FETs are simulated and found to exhibit similar device performance in the nanoscale regime.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗