Improved description of the structure of molecular and layered crystals: ab initio DFT calculations with van der Waals corrections

State-of-the-Art Calculations of Sublimation Enthalpies for Selected Molecular Crystals and Their Computational Uncertainty

A computational methodology for calculation of sublimation enthalpies of molecular crystals from first principles is developed and validated by comparison to critically evaluated literature experimental data. Temperature-dependent sublimation enthalpies for a set of selected 22 molecular crystals in their low-temperature phases are calculated. The computational methodology consists of several building blocks based on high-level electronic structure methods of quantum chemistry and statistical thermodynamics. Ab initio methods up to the coupled clusters with iterative treatment of single and double excitations and perturbative triples correction with an estimated complete basis set description [CCSD(T)/CBS] are used to calculate the cohesive energies of crystalline phases within a fragment-based additive scheme. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations with periodic boundary conditions (PBC) coupled with the quasi-harmonic approximation are used to evaluate the thermal contributions to the enthalpy of the solid phase. The properties of the vapor phase are calculated within the ideal-gas model using the rigid-rotor harmonic-oscillator model with correction for internal rotation using a one-dimensional hindered rotor approximation and a proper treatment of the molecular rotational degrees of freedom in the vicinity of 0 K. All individual terms contributing to the sublimation enthalpy as a function of temperature are discussed and their uncertainties estimated by comparison to critically evaluated experimental data.

First-principles study on structural, thermal, mechanical and dynamic stability of T'-MoS2

Using first-principles density functional theory calculations, we investigate the structure, stability, optical modes and electronic band gap of a distorted tetragonal MoS₂ monolayer (T'-MoS₂). Our simulated scanning tunnel microscopy (STM) images of T'-MoS₂ are dramatically similar to those STM images which were identified as K _x (H₂O) _y MoS₂ from a previous experimental study. This similarity suggests that T'-MoS₂ might have already been experimentally observed, but due to being unexpected was misidentified. Furthermore, we verify the stability of T'-MoS₂ from the thermal, mechanical and dynamic aspects, by ab initio molecular dynamics simulation, elastic constants evaluation and phonon band structure calculation based on density functional perturbation theory, respectively. In addition, we calculate the eigenfrequencies and eigenvectors of the optical modes of T'-MoS₂ at [Formula: see text] point and distinguish their Raman and infrared activity by pointing out their irreducible representations using group theory. At the same time, we compare the Raman modes of T'-MoS₂ with those of H-MoS₂ and T-MoS₂. Our results provide useful guidance for further experimental identification and characterization of T'-MoS₂.

Identifying and Visualizing the Edge Terminations of Single-Layer MoSe2 Island Epitaxially Grown on Au(111)

Recently, single-layer transition-metal dichalcogenides have drawn significant attention due to their remarkable physical properties in the monolayer as well as at the edges. Here, we constructed high-quality, single-layer MoSe₂ islands on the Au(111) surfaces in ultrahigh vacuum by molecular beam epitaxy. All of the islands have hexagonal or triangular shapes with two kinds of well-defined edges. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) curves show notable differences in positive sample bias for the two types of edges. Density functional theory calculations for several edge configurations of MoSe₂ confirm that the STS differences are attributed to the coupling between the p_z orbital of Se atoms and the d_xz orbital of Mo atoms, and the two types of observed edge terminations are the bare Se edge and selenium-saturated Mo edge.

B40 cluster stability, reactivity, and its planar structural precursor

We report a comprehensive first-principles study of the structural and chemical properties of the recently discovered B₄₀ cage. It is found to be highly reactive and can exothermically dimerize, regardless of the orientation, by overcoming a small energy barrier ≃0.06 eV. The energy gap of the system varies widely with the aggregation of the increasing number of B₄₀ cages, from 3.14 eV in a single B₄₀, to 1.54 eV in the dimer, to 1.25 eV in the trimer. We also explore a recipe for protecting the B₄₀ cage by sheathing it within a carbon shell and identify carbon nanotubes with a radius of ∼6 Å as optimal hosts for an isolated cage. It is demonstrated that B₄₀ can be unfolded into a planar 'molecule' that tessellates the plane. The corresponding 2D boron sheet constitutes a structural precursor foldable into this unique boron cage structure of current interest.

The role of the alkali and chalcogen atoms on the stability of the layered chalcogenide [Formula: see text] (A = alkali-metal; M = metal-cations; Q = chalcogen) compounds: a density functional theory investigation within van der Waals corrections

There is a great interest to design two-dimensional (2D) chalcogenide materials, however, our atomistic understanding of the major physical parameters that drive the formation of 2D or three-dimensional (3D) chalcogenides is far from satisfactory, in particular, for complex quaternary systems. To address this problem, we selected a set of quaternary 2D and 3D chalcogenide compounds, namely, [Formula: see text] (A  =  Li, K, Cs; Q  =  S, Se, Te), which were investigated by density functional theory calculations within van der Waals (vdW) corrections. Employing experimental crystal structures and well designed crystal modifications, we found that the average atomic radius of the alkali-metal, A, and chalcogen, Q, species play a crucial role in the stability of the 2D structures. For example, the 2D structures are energetically favored for smaller [Formula: see text] and larger [Formula: see text] average atomic radius, while 3D structures are favored at intermediate average atomic radius. Those results are explained in terms of strain minimization and Coulomb repulsion of the anionic species in the structure framework. Furthermore, the equilibrium lattice parameters are in excellent agreement with experimental results. Thus, the present insights can help in the design of stable quartenary 2D chalcogenide compounds.

Mechanism of coverage dependent CO adsorption and dissociation on the Mo(100) surface

The mechanism of coverage dependent CO adsorption and dissociation on the Mo(100) surface was investigated using periodic density functional theory. Structure optimization and frequency calculation were carried out using the GGA-PBE method and a p(3 × 3) supercell model. Energetic data have been obtained using the revised PBE method and the PBE optimized structures. CO adsorption prefers tilted adsorption configuration at the 4-fold hollow sites at low coverage and tilted and atop configurations at high coverage. The computed C-O stretching frequencies of the tilted and atop adsorbed CO molecules agree very well with the experimental results. Starting from the saturation coverage, five binding states have been found: two for molecular (α) CO adsorption and three for dissociative (β) CO adsorption, which are in agreement with the temperature-programmed desorption experiments. In addition, CO prefers dissociation with very low barriers in all coverages as long as free sites are available and is coverage independent; this nicely explains the observed CO dissociation at very low temperatures. All such agreements validate our computational methods and provide the basis of further studies.

Effects of Water Intercalation and Tribochemistry on MoS2 Lubricity: An Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Investigation

To date, no clear conclusion has been reached on the atomistic mechanisms that govern the observed decrease of lubricating capabilities of MoS₂ in humid environments. Based on ab initio molecular dynamic calculations, we show that intercalated water molecules hinder the sliding motion of both regular and defective layers considerably, with the velocities decaying exponentially with time. However, in the presence of an applied load and exposed edge terminations, water is rapidly removed from the interface and is adsorbed on the edges either in undissociated form or as OH/H fragments. These outcomes suggest that the interlayer slipperiness can be reduced by the presence of water even in the absence of any chemical oxidation. Our work could help to set up more dedicated experiments to further tackle a technologically relevant issue for the applications of MoS₂ -based lubricants.

Validation of density functionals for pancake-bonded π-dimers; dispersion is not enough

π-Stacking pancake bonding between radicals poses special challenges to density functional theories (DFTs) due to their shorter than van der Waals contact distances, their multireference singlet ground states and the concurrently important dispersion interactions.

Potential of transition metal atoms embedded in buckled monolayer g-C3N4 as single-atom catalysts

We use first-principles calculations to systematically explore the potential of transition metal atoms (Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ir, Pt, and Au) embedded in buckled monolayer g-C₃N₄ as single-atom catalysts.

Band gap opening of graphene by forming a graphene/PtSe2 van der Waals heterojunction

As a promising high performance FET, the graphene/PtSe₂ vdW heterojunction has a band gap of 0.264 eV.

Electronic and excitonic properties of two-dimensional and bulk InN crystals

Motivated by potential extensive applications in nanoelectronics devices, we calculate structural and optoelectronic properties of two-dimensional InN as well as its three-dimensional counterparts by using density functional theory.

A two-dimensional layered CdS/C2N heterostructure for visible-light-driven photocatalysis

A CdS/C₂N heterojunction possesses a type-II band alignment with respect to the standard hydrogen electrode potentials.

Theoretical exploration of the potential applications of Sc-based MXenes

Herein, we systematically explored the electronic properties of Sc-based MXenes via first-principles calculations, with the aim to extend their applicability.

Geometric and electronic properties of ultrathin anatase TiO2(001) films

The electronic structures of TiO₂(001) films exhibit pronounced odd–even oscillations with the number of atomic layers in them.

Dissociative iodomethane adsorption on Ag-MOR and the formation of AgI clusters: an ab initio molecular dynamics study

Using ab initio MD simulations, a full transformation path of iodomethane in Ag-MOR is explored: from adsorption to formation of AgI clusters.

Catalyst and Process Design for the Continuous Manufacture of Rare Sugar Alcohols by Epimerization-Hydrogenation of Aldoses

Sugar alcohols are applied in the food, pharmaceutical, polymer, and fuel industries and are commonly obtained by reduction of the corresponding saccharides. In view of the rarity of some sugar substrates, epimerization of a readily available monosaccharide has been proposed as a solution, but an efficient catalytic system has not yet been identified. Herein, a molybdenum heteropolyacid-based catalyst is developed to transform glucose, arabinose, and xylose into less-abundant mannose, ribose, and lyxose, respectively. Adsorption of molybdic acid onto activated carbon followed by ion exchange to the cesium form limits leaching of the active phase, which greatly improves the catalyst stability over 24 h on stream. The hydrogenation of mixtures of epimers is studied over ruthenium catalysts, and it is found that the precursor to the desired polyol is advantageously converted with faster kinetics. This is explained by density functional theory on the basis of its more favorable adsorption on the metal surface and the lower energy barrier for the addition of a hydrogen atom to the primary carbon atom. Finally, different designs for a continuous process for the conversion of glucose into mannitol are studied, and it is uncovered that two reactors in series with one containing the epimerization catalyst and the other containing a mixture of the epimerization and hydrogenation catalysts increases the mannitol/sorbitol ratio to 1.5 from 1 for a single mixed-bed reactor. This opens a prospective route to the efficient valorization of renewables to added-value chemicals.

Ferroelectric Control of Organic/Ferromagnetic Spinterface

Organic multiferroic tunnel junctions based on La_0.6 Sr_0.4 MnO₃ /poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/Co structures are fabricated. The tunneling magneto-resistance sign can be changed by electrically switching the ferroelectric polarization of PVDF barrier. It is demonstrated that the spin-polarization of the PVDF/Co spinterface can be actively controlled by tuning the ferroelectric polarization of PVDF. This study opens new functionality in controlling the injection of spin polarization into organic materials via the ferroelectric polarization of the barrier.

Density functional theory simulation of the adsorption of sulphur multilayers on Au(100)

The adsorption of sulphur multilayers on Au(100) has been studied using density functional theory (DFT) within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The first sulphur layer was adsorbed on the four-fold sites of the unreconstructed Au(100) surface forming a lattice. The experimental parameters of the lattice were reproduced taking into account the surface expansion of the topmost Au(100) layer. This expansion should occur when gold islands are formed after the lifting of hex-reconstruction, which allows the lateral movement of the gold atoms. The second sulphur layer, on top of the lattice, consisted of eight S atoms (octomer phase) in a quasi-rectangular arrangement. The structural optimization of the octomer phase was achieved in a specific spatial orientation with respect to the lattice. The analysis of Bader atomic charges and the projected density of states (PDOS) demonstrated that charge transfer from the Au(100) surface to the sulphur layers, sulphur chemisorption and sulphur-sulphur inter-layer mixing of electronic states control the formation of sulphur multilayers.

Thermal properties of molecular crystals through dispersion-corrected quasi-harmonic ab initio calculations: the case of urea

An ab initio quantum-mechanical theoretical framework is presented to compute the thermal properties of molecular crystals. The present strategy combines dispersion-corrected density-functional-theory (DFT-D), harmonic phonon dispersion, quasi-harmonic approximation to the lattice dynamics for thermal expansion and thermodynamic functions, and quasi-static approximation for anisotropic thermo-elasticity. The proposed scheme is shown to reliably describe thermal properties of the urea molecular crystal by a thorough comparison with experimental data.

Enhancing the Hydrogen Activation Reactivity of Nonprecious Metal Substrates via Confined Catalysis Underneath Graphene

In the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the reactivity as a function of the hydrogen adsorption energy on different metal substrates follows a well-known volcano curve, peaked at the precious metal Pt. The goal of turning nonprecious metals into efficient catalysts for HER and other important chemical reactions is a fundamental challenge; it is also of technological significance. Here, we present results toward achieving this goal by exploiting the synergistic power of marginal catalysis and confined catalysis. Using density functional theory calculations, we first show that the volcano curve stays qualitatively intact when van der Waals attractions between a hydrogen adatom and different metal (111) surfaces are included. We further show that the hydrogen adsorption energy on the metal surfaces is weakened by 0.12-0.23 eV when hydrogen is confined between graphene and the metal surfaces, with Ni exhibiting the largest change. In particular, we find that the graphene-modified volcano curve peaks around Ni, whose bare surface already possesses moderate (or marginal) reactivity, and the corresponding HER rate of graphene-covered Ni is comparable to that of bare Pt. A hydrogen adatom has high mobility within the confined geometry. These findings demonstrate that graphene-covered Ni is an appealing effective, stable, and economical catalytic platform for HER.

Mechanistic Evaluation of LixOy Formation on δ-MnO2 in Nonaqueous Li-Air Batteries

Transition metal oxides are usually used as catalysts in the air cathode of lithium-air (Li-air) batteries. This study elucidates the mechanistic origin of the oxygen reduction reaction catalyzed by δ-MnO2 monolayers and maps the conditions for Li2O2 growth using a combination of first-principles calculations and mesoscale modeling. The MnO2 monolayer, in the absence of an applied potential, preferentially reacts with a Li atom instead of an O2 molecule to initiate the formation of LiO2. The oxygen reduction products (LiO2, Li2O2, and Li2O molecules) strongly interact with the MnO2 monolayer via the stabilization of Li-O chemical bonds with lattice oxygen atoms. As compared to the disproportionation reaction, direct lithiation reactions are the primary contributors to the stabilization of Li2O2 on the MnO2 monolayer. The energy profiles of (Li2O2)2 and (Li2O)2 nucleation on δ-MnO2 monolayer during the discharge process demonstrate that Li2O2 is the predominant discharge product and that further reduction to Li2O is inhibited by the high overpotential of 1.21 V. Interface structures have been examined to study the interaction between the Li2O2 and MnO2 layers. This study demonstrates that a Li2O2 film can be homogeneously deposited onto δ-MnO2 and that the Li2O2/MnO2 interface acts as an electrical conductor. A mesoscale model, developed based on findings from the first-principles calculations, further shows that Li2O2 is the primary product of electrochemical reactions when the applied potential is smaller than 2.4 V.

Towards J/mol Accuracy for the Cohesive Energy of Solid Argon

The cohesive energies of argon in its cubic and hexagonal closed packed structures are computed with an unprecedented accuracy of about 5 J mol(-1) (corresponding to 0.05 % of the total cohesive energy). The same relative accuracy with respect to experimental data is also found for the face-centered cubic lattice constant deviating by ca. 0.003 Å. This level of accuracy was enabled by using high-level theoretical, wave-function-based methods within a many-body decomposition of the interaction energy. Static contributions of two-, three-, and four-body fragments of the crystal are all individually converged to sub-J mol(-1) accuracy and complemented by harmonic and anharmonic vibrational corrections. Computational chemistry is thus achieving or even surpassing experimental accuracy for the solid-state rare gases.

Stacking orders induced direct band gap in bilayer MoSe2-WSe2 lateral heterostructures

The direct band gap of monolayer semiconducting transition-metal dichalcogenides (STMDs) enables a host of new optical and electrical properties. However, bilayer STMDs are indirect band gap semiconductors, which limits its applicability for high-efficiency optoelectronic devices. Here, we report that the direct band gap can be achieved in bilayer MoSe2-WSe2 lateral heterostructures by alternating stacking orders. Specifically, when Se atoms from opposite layers are stacked directly on top of each other, AA and A'B stacked heterostructures show weaker interlayer coupling, larger interlayer distance and direct band gap. Whereas, when Se atoms from opposite layers are staggered, AA', AB and AB' stacked heterostructures exhibit stronger interlayer coupling, shorter interlayer distance and indirect band gap. Thus, the direct/indirect band gap can be controllable in bilayer MoSe2-WSe2 lateral heterostructures. In addition, the calculated sliding barriers indicate that the stacking orders of bilayer MoSe2-WSe2 lateral heterostructures can be easily formed by sliding one layer with respect to the other. The novel direct band gap in bilayer MoSe2-WSe2 lateral heterostructures provides possible application for high-efficiency optoelectronic devices. The results also show that the stacking order is an effective strategy to induce and tune the band gap of layered STMDs.

Molecular structure and vibrations of NTCDA monolayers on Ag(111) from density-functional theory and infrared absorption spectroscopy

The structure and vibrational properties of the metal-organic interface of 1,4,5,8-naphthalene-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTCDA) on Ag(111) were analysed using Fourier-transform infrared absorption spectroscopy in conjunction with density functional theory calculations including dispersion forces (PBE-D3). Mode assignments and polarizations as well as molecular distortions were determined for four adsorption geometries of NTCDA on top and bridge sites aligned either parallel or perpendicular to the Ag rows and compared to accurate calculations of the free molecule. This enables an in-depth understanding of surface effects on the computed and experimental vibrational spectra of the adsorbed NTCDA molecule. The molecule-substrate interaction comprises two major and equally important contributions: non-directional van der Waals forces between molecule and surface, and covalent bonding of the acyl oxygen atoms with underlying Ag atoms, which is quantified by charge-transfer analysis. Furthermore, adsorption energy calculations showed that the molecular axis of flat-lying NTCDA is oriented preferably in parallel to the Ag rows. The molecule is subject to particular distortions from the planar gas phase structure with covalent bonding leading to downward bending of the acyl oxygen atoms and Pauli repulsion to upward bending of the carbon core. In parallel, strong buckling of the silver surface was identified. As found in previous studies, the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the molecule slips below the Fermi level and becomes partially populated upon adsorption. Excitation of totally symmetric vibrational modes then leads to substantial interfacial dynamical charge transfer, which is convincingly reproduced in the calculated IR spectra.

The quest for rationalizing the magnetism in purely organic semiquinone-bridged bisdithiazolyl molecular magnets

Semiquinone-bridged bisdithiazolyl-based radicals (XBBO) are appealing purely organic magnetic building blocks for the synthesis of new functional materials. Remarkably, for the phenyl-derivative PhBBO, the rationalization of its magnetism becomes a proof of concept that DFT can dramatically fail to evaluate JAB magnetic interactions between purely organic radical pairs. Instead, wavefunction-based methods are required. Once JAB's are fully characterized, the magnetic topology of PhBBO is disclosed to consist of ferromagnetic FM π-stacks that are very weakly coupled (by FM and AFM JAB interactions). The magnetic susceptibility χT(T) and magnetization M(H) of PhBBO are then calculated using a first-principles bottom-up approach. The study of the unit cell contraction upon cooling from room temperature to zero-Kelvin is relevant to propose a suitable model for the phase transition that occurs at 4.5 K. A simplistic picture tells us that the antiparallel-aligned 1D-FM-chains convert into domains of weakly either FM- or AFM-coupled 1D-FM-chains. Accordingly, the presence of these domains may introduce geometrical spin frustration below 4.5 K.

CCSD(T)/CBS fragment-based calculations of lattice energy of molecular crystals

A comparative study of the lattice energy calculations for a data set of 25 molecular crystals is performed using an additive scheme based on the individual energies of up to four-body interactions calculated using the coupled clusters with iterative treatment of single and double excitations and perturbative triples correction (CCSD(T)) with an estimated complete basis set (CBS) description. The CCSD(T)/CBS values on lattice energies are used to estimate sublimation enthalpies which are compared with critically assessed and thermodynamically consistent experimental values. The average absolute percentage deviation of calculated sublimation enthalpies from experimental values amounts to 13% (corresponding to 4.8 kJ mol(-1) on absolute scale) with unbiased distribution of positive to negative deviations. As pair interaction energies present a dominant contribution to the lattice energy and CCSD(T)/CBS calculations still remain computationally costly, benchmark calculations of pair interaction energies defined by crystal parameters involving 17 levels of theory, including recently developed methods with local and explicit treatment of electronic correlation, such as LCC and LCC-F12, are also presented. Locally and explicitly correlated methods are found to be computationally effective and reliable methods enabling the application of fragment-based methods for larger systems.

Strain-Induced Electronic Structure Changes in Stacked van der Waals Heterostructures

Vertically stacked van der Waals heterostructures composed of compositionally different two-dimensional atomic layers give rise to interesting properties due to substantial interactions between the layers. However, these interactions can be easily obscured by the twisting of atomic layers or cross-contamination introduced by transfer processes, rendering their experimental demonstration challenging. Here, we explore the electronic structure and its strain dependence of stacked MoSe2/WSe2 heterostructures directly synthesized by chemical vapor deposition, which unambiguously reveal strong electronic coupling between the atomic layers. The direct and indirect band gaps (1.48 and 1.28 eV) of the heterostructures are measured to be lower than the band gaps of individual MoSe2 (1.50 eV) and WSe2 (1.60 eV) layers. Photoluminescence measurements further show that both the direct and indirect band gaps undergo redshifts with applied tensile strain to the heterostructures, with the change of the indirect gap being particularly more sensitive to strain. This demonstration of strain engineering in van der Waals heterostructures opens a new route toward fabricating flexible electronics.

Performance of field-effect transistors based on Nb(x)W(1-x)S2 monolayers

The Schottky barrier has been detected in many field-effect transistors (FETs) based on transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) semiconductors and has seriously affected the electronic properties of the devices. In order to decrease the Schottky barrier in WS2 FETs, novel Nb doping in WS2 monolayers has been performed and p-FETs based on Nb-doped WS2 (Nb(x)W(1-x)S2) monolayers as the active channel have been fabricated for the first time. The monolayer Nb0.15W0.85S2 p-FET has a drain current of 330 μA μm(-1), an impressive I(ON)/I(OFF) of 10(7), and a high effective hole mobility of ∼146 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1). The novel Nb doping in monolayer WS2 has eliminated the ambipolar behavior and reduced the Schottky barrier in WS2 FETs. The reduction of the Schottky barrier is ascribed to the hybridization between W 5d, Nb 4d and S 3p states near the EF and to the enhancement of the metallization of the contact between the Pd metal and monolayer Nb(x)W(1-x)S2 after Nb doping.

Structural and electronic properties of epitaxial multilayer h-BN on Ni(111) for spintronics applications

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a promising material for implementation in spintronics due to a large band gap, low spin-orbit coupling, and a small lattice mismatch to graphene and to close-packed surfaces of fcc-Ni(111) and hcp-Co(0001). Epitaxial deposition of h-BN on ferromagnetic metals is aimed at small interface scattering of charge and spin carriers. We report on the controlled growth of h-BN/Ni(111) by means of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Structural and electronic properties of this system are investigated using cross-section transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron spectroscopies which confirm good agreement with the properties of bulk h-BN. The latter are also corroborated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, revealing that the first h-BN layer at the interface to Ni is metallic. Our investigations demonstrate that MBE is a promising, versatile alternative to both the exfoliation approach and chemical vapour deposition of h-BN.

Thermodynamic Properties of Molecular Crystals Calculated within the Quasi-Harmonic Approximation

A computational study of the possibilities of contemporary theoretical chemistry as regards calculated thermodynamic properties for molecular crystals from first-principles is presented. The study is performed for a testing set of 22 low-temperature crystalline phases whose properties such as densities of phonon states, isobaric heat capacities, and densities are computed as functions of temperature within the quasi-harmonic approximation. Electronic structure and lattice dynamics are treated by plane-wave based calculations with optPBE-vdW functional. Comparison of calculated results with reliable critically assessed experimental data is especially emphasized.

Exchange Coupling of Spin-Crossover Molecules to Ferromagnetic Co Islands

The properties of Fe(1,10-phenanthroline)2(NCS)2 (Fe-phen) molecules deposited on Co/Cu(111) are studied with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) operated in ultrahigh vacuum at low temperature (4 K) and ab initio calculations. Both the experimental and theoretical results are used to identify the high-spin (HS) state of Fe-phen. Additionally, the calculations reveal a strong spin-polarization of the density of states (DOS) and is validated experimentally using the spin sensitivity of spin-polarized STM. Finally, it is shown that the magnetic moment of the Fe-ion within HS Fe-phen is strongly magnetically coupled to the underlying magnetic Co through the NCS groups. These findings enable promising spintronic perspectives.

Carbon incorporation effects and reaction mechanism of FeOCl cathode materials for chloride ion batteries

Metal oxychlorides are proved to be new cathode materials for chloride ion batteries. However, this kind of cathode materials is still in a very early stage of research and development. The obtained reversible capacity is low and the electrochemical reaction mechanism concerning chloride ion transfer is not clear. Herein, we report FeOCl/carbon composites prepared by mechanical milling of the as-prepared FeOCl with carbon nanotube, carbon black or graphene nanoplatelets as cathode materials for chloride ion batteries. The electrochemical performance of the FeOCl electrode is evidently improved by the incorporation of graphene into the cathode. FeOCl/graphene cathode shows a high reversible capacity of 184 mAh g⁻¹ based on the phase transformation between FeOCl and FeO. Two stages of this phase transformation are observed for the FeOCl cathode. New insight into the reaction mechanism of chloride ion dissociation of FeOCl is investigated by DFT + U + D2 calculations.

Graphene layers on bimetallic Ni/Cu(111) surface and near surface alloys in controlled growth of graphene

Bimetallic alloy is more effective than pure metal for controlled growth of high-quality graphene.