The effects of rhenium doping in the range 0-10 at.% on the static and dynamic magnetic properties of Fe65Co35 thin films have been studied experimentally as well as with first-principles electronic structure calculations focusing on the change of the saturation magnetization (M-s) and the Gilbert damping parameter (alpha). Both experimental and theoretical results show that M-s decreases with increasing Re-doping level, while at the same time alpha increases. The experimental low temperature saturation magnetic induction exhibits a 29% decrease, from 2.31 to 1.64 T, in the investigated doping concentration range, which is more than predicted by the theoretical calculations. The room temperature value of the damping parameter obtained from ferromagnetic resonance measurements, correcting for extrinsic contributions to the damping, is for the undoped sample 2.1 x 10(-3), which is close to the theoretically calculated Gilbert damping parameter. With 10 at.% Re doping, the damping parameter increases to 7.8 x 10(-3), which is in good agreement with the theoretical value of 7.3 x 10(-3). The increase in damping parameter with Re doping is explained by the increase in the density of states at the Fermi level, mostly contributed by the spin-up channel of Re. Moreover, both experimental and theoretical values for the damping parameter weakly decrease with decreasing temperature.
In order to manipulate the properties of graphene, it is very important to understand the electronic structure in the presence of disorder. We investigate, within a tight-binding description, the effects of disorder in the on-site (diagonal disorder) term in the Hamiltonian as well as in the hopping integral (off-diagonal disorder) on the electronic dispersion and density of states by the augmented space recursion method. Extrinsic off-diagonal disorder is shown to have dramatic effects on the two-dimensional (2D) Dirac cone, including asymmetries in the band structures as well as the presence of discontinuous bands (because of resonances) in certain limits. Disorder-induced broadening, related to the scattering length (or lifetime) of Bloch electrons, is modified significantly with increasing strength of disorder. We propose that our methodology is suitable for the study of the effects of disorder in other 2D materials, such as a boron nitride monolayer.
We report, on the basis of density-functional theory+U (DFT+U) calculations that metalloporphyrins can adsorb on ferromagnetic metal surfaces in two distinct configurations. Two separate adsorption minima are obtained for manganese porphyrin (MnP) on Co from our DFT+U total energy calculations, which correspond to strong and weak adsorption strengths, respectively. By steering the nature of adsorption, we find that distinct chemical interactions as well as magnetic exchange interactions between the metalloporphyrin and the metal surface can be realized. We furthermore show that a switching of the MnP molecule's spin state can occur even for the weakly adsorbed case. This new discovery opens up prospects for engineering the chemical and magnetic exchange interaction in new functionalized spintronic materials.
The electronic structures, spin-states, and geometrical parameters of tetra-, penta-, and hexa-coordinated iron-porphyrins are investigated applying density functional theory (DFT) based calculations, utilizing the plane-wave pseudopotential as well as localized basis set approaches. The splitting of the spin multiplet energies are investigated applying various functionals including recently developed hybrid meta-GGA (M06 family) functionals. Almost all of the hybrid functionals accurately reproduce the experimental ground state spins of the investigated Fe-porphyrins. However, the energetic ordering of the spin-states and the energies between them are still an issue. The widely used B3LYP provides consistent results for all chosen systems. The GGA+U functionals are found to be equally competent. After assessing the performance of various functionals in spin-state calculations, the potential energy surfaces of the oxygen binding process by heme is investigated. This reveals a "double spin-crossover" feature for the lowest energy reaction path that is consistent with previous CASPT2 calculations but predicting a lowest energy singlet state. The calculations have hence captured the spin-crossover as well as spin-flip processes. These are driven by the intra-atomic orbital polarization on the central metal atom due to the atomic and orbitals rearrangements. The nature of the chemical bonding and a molecular orbital analysis are also performed for the geometrically simple but electronic structurally complicated system tetra-coordinated planar Fe porphyrin in comparison to the penta-coordinated systems. This analysis explains the observed paradoxical appearance of certain peaks in the local density of states (DOS).
We present a first-principles density-functional investigation of the optical and magneto-optical properties of MnGa1-xAs (with x = 0,0.0625, and 1) systems. Our calculated dielectric function, magneto-optical Kerr effect, and magnetic circular dichroism spectra agree reasonably well with existing experimental results. A comparison of the optical and magneto-optical spectra of MnAs in the naturally occurring hexagonal phase and in the cubic zinc-blende structure is made. The differences in the spectral properties of these two phases could aid detection of MnAs in the zinc-blende structure. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Motivated by the experimentally observed high mobility of gold atoms on graphene and their tendency to form nanometer-sized clusters, we present a density functional theory study of the ground state structures of small gold clusters on graphene, their mobility and clustering. Our detailed analysis of the electronic structures identifies the opportunity to form strong gold-gold bonds and the graphene-mediated interaction of the pre-adsorbed fragments as the driving forces behind gold's tendency to aggregate on graphene. While clusters containing up to three gold atoms have one unambiguous ground state structure, both gas phase isomers of a cluster with four gold atoms can be found on graphene. In the gas phase the diamond-shaped Au-4(D) cluster is the ground state structure, whereas the Y-shaped Au-4(Y) becomes the actual ground state when adsorbed on graphene. As we show, both clusters can be produced on graphene by two distinct clustering processes. We also studied in detail the stepwise formation of a gold dimer out of two pre-adsorbed adatoms, as well as the formation of Au-3. All reactions are exothermic and no further activation barriers, apart from the diffusion barriers, were found. The diffusion barriers of all studied clusters range from 4 to 36 meV only, and are substantially exceeded by the adsorption energies of -0.1 to -0.59 eV. This explains the high mobility of Au1-4 on graphene along the C-C bonds.
A manganese(II) metal-organic framework based on the hexatopic hexakis(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene, cpb6-: [Mn3(cpb)(dmf)3], was solvothermally prepared showing a Langmuir area of 438 m2/g, rapid uptake of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) as well as electrochemical and magnetic properties, while single crystal diffraction reveals an unusual rod-MOF topology.
The structural properties of a tetragonally distorted Fe1-xCox alloy, in the form of Fe1-xCox/Pt(001) superlattices with x = 0.64, have been investigated experimentally. The study follows recent theoretical predictions on the enhanced uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy of such alloys with specific combinations of chemical composition and tetragonal distortion. The ratio between out-of-plane and in-plane lattice parameters in the Fe0.36Co0.64 layers, c/a, was found to vary between 1.18 and 1.31, depending on the thickness ratio between the alloy and the spacer. This covered the range of interest c/a = 1.20-1.25 in the previous calculations and should be compared to c/a = 1 in the original bcc alloy lattice. Simulations of x-ray diffraction patterns as well as density functional calculations support the derivation of the Fe0.36Co0.64 lattice parameters.
We report on the experimental realization of tetragonal Fe-Co alloys as a constituent of Fe(0.36)Co(0.64)/Pt superlattices with huge perpendicular magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy, reaching 210 mu eV/atom, and a saturation magnetization of 2.5 mu(B)/atom at 40 K, in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions. At room temperature the corresponding values 150 mu eV/atom and 2.2 mu(B)/atom are achieved. This suggests that Fe-Co alloys with carefully chosen combinations of composition and distortion are good candidates for high-density perpendicular storage materials.
The spin and orbital moments of Au/Co/Au trilayers grown on a W(110) single crystal substrate have been investigated by means of x-ray magnetic circular dichroism. Our findings suggest that the orbital moment of Co does not obtain a maximum value along the easy axis, in contrast with previous experience. This is attributed to the large spin-orbit interaction within the Au caps. Both second order perturbation theory and first principles calculations show how the magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) is dramatically influenced by this effect, and how this leads to the fact that the orbital moment anisotropy is not proportional to the MCA.
By means of first-principles density functional calculations, we study the maximally localised Wannier functions for the 2D transition metal dichalcogenides MX2 (M = Mo, W; X = S, Se, Te). We have found that part of the energy gap is opened by the crystal field splitting induced by the X-2-like atoms. The inversion of the band character between the Gamma and the K points of the Brillouin zone is due to the M-M hybridisation. The consequence of this inversion is the closure of the gap in absence of the M-X hybridisation. The M-X hybridisation is the only one that tends to open the gap at every k-point. It is found that the change in the M-X and M-M hybridisation is the main responsible for the difference in the gap between the different dichalcogenide materials. The inversion of the bands gives rise to different spinorbit splitting at Gamma and K point in the valence band. The different character of the gap at Gamma and K point offers the chance to manipulate the semiconducting properties of these compounds. For a bilayer system, the hybridisation between the out-of-plane orbitals and the hybridisation between the in-plane orbitals split the valence band respectively at the Gamma and K point. The splitting in the valence band is opened also without spin-orbit coupling and occurs due to the M-M and X-X hybridisation between the two monolayers. The transition from direct to indirect band gap is governed by the hybridisation between out-of-plane orbitals of different layers and in-plane orbitals of different layers.
Materials with high volume magnetization are perpetually needed for the generation of sufficiently large magnetic fields by writer pole of magnetic hard disks, especially for achieving increased areal density in storage media. In search of suitable materials combinations for this purpose, we have employed density functional theory to predict the magnetic coupling between iron and gadolinium layers separated by one to several monolayers of 3d transition metals (Sc-Zn). We demonstrate that it is possible to find ferromagnetic coupling for many of them and in particular for the early transition metals giving rise to high moment. Cr and Mn are the only elements able to produce a significant ferromagnetic coupling for thicker spacer layers. We also present experimental results on two trilayer systems Fe/Sc/Gd and Fe/Mn/Gd. From the experiments, we confirm a ferromagnetic coupling between Fe and Gd across a 3 monolayers Sc spacer or a Mn spacer thicker than 1 monolayer. In addition, we observe a peculiar dependence of Fe/Gd magnetic coupling on the Mn spacer thickness.
We present a systematic study of the magnetic coupling between iron and gadolinium layers intermediated by 4d and 5d transition metals using density functional theory. We demonstrate that it is possible to find a magnetic coupling for most of them. In particular, for the early transition metals (d(1), d(2), d(3) and d(4)), a ferromagnetic coupling occurs even stronger than the 3d interlayers. Atomic size and the electronic configuration of the transition metals are crucial for the nature of the coupling. All the open shell transition metals present induced magnetic moments. By increasing the number of interlayers, an oscillating behavior in the magnetic coupling was found and the magnetic coupling goes to zero beyond four spacer layers. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we demonstrate that the interlayer strongly enhances the critical temperature in the Gd layers closest to the interface.
In the present study, we have explored the interaction of five distinct kinds of amino acid molecules namely, arginine (Arg), aspartic acid (Asp), alanine (Ala), asparagine (Asn) and histidine (His) with graphene and germanene monolayers employing dispersion-corrected density functional theory. The dispersion correction incorporated in the computational methodology improves the accuracy of the results by taking into account the long range van der Waals interactions between the adsorbent and adsorbate. Using this method, the equilibrium configuration, energetic, electronic and optical properties of amino acids adsorbed on substrate have systematically been found. It is also found that arginine makes the most stable complexes with graphene and germanene in comparison to the other amino acids used in this study. Compared to graphene, germanene shows higher sensitivity to amino acids indicating that germanene monolayers can be useful for bio-integrated electronic devices.
In order to explore the possibility of using 2D nanostructures as biosensors, we have studied the adsorption characteristics of nucleotide bases on armchair germanene nanoribbon (AGeNR) using density functional theory with several approximations of exchange-correlation functionals with the addition of dispersion correction. It has been found that the dispersion interactions have the key role in characterizing adsorption phenomena through the non-covalent interactions. The structural and electronic properties of the nucleobase-nanoribbon complexes have been investigated along with the study of the dependence of binding energies on ribbon widths and hence the edge (armchair or zigzag) effects. A physisorption process with binding energies in the range of about 0.83-1.37 eV has been found for 10-AGeNR, which alters the electronic and structural properties of the subsystems indicating the potential use of these complexes as biosensors.
6-Aminophenanthridine (6AP), a plant alkaloid possessing antiprion activity, inhibits ribosomal RNA dependent protein folding activity of the ribosome (referred as PFAR). We have compared 6AP and its three derivatives 6AP8Cl, 6AP8CF3 and 6APi for their activity in inhibition of PFAR. Since PFAR inhibition requires 6AP and its derivatives to bind to the ribosomal RNA (rRNA), we have measured the binding affinity of these molecules to domain V of 23S rRNA using fluorescence spectroscopy. Our results show that similar to the antiprion activity, both the inhibition of PFAR and the affinity towards rRNA follow the order 6AP8CF3 > 6AP8Cl > 6AP, while 6APi is totally inactive. To have a molecular insight for the difference in activity despite similarities in structure, we have calculated the nucleus independent chemical shift using first principles density functional theory. The result suggests that the deviation of planarity in 6APi and steric hindrance from its bulky side chain are the probable reasons which prevent it from interacting with rRNA. Finally, we suggest a probable mode of action of 6AP, 6AP8CF3 and 6AP8Cl towards rRNA.
In this communication we carry out experimental investigation of the behavior of magnetization with temperature and magnetic field of six samples at different compositions of the disordered ternary alloy NiFeMo. We analyze the data using a fist-principles density functional based electronic structure method and a mean-field phase diagram study.
We report here an experimental study of magnetization of FeNiW alloys at different compositions. We have studied variation of magnetization with temperature (at low external fields) and magnetic field (at low temperatures). The alloy shows para to ferromagnetic transitions across the composition range. We do not find any indication of the spin-glass phase. We have supplemented the experimental work with theoretical analysis using the first-principles tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbitals based augmented space recursion method. Our theoretical estimates of magnetic moment and Curie temperatures agree well with experiment. Our mean-field phase analysis also does not indicate the possibility of a spin-glass.
Unlike other transition metals alloyed with a non-magnetic metal, alloys of Ni behave rather differently. This is because of the fragility of the local magnetic moment on Ni. NiMo and NiW do not show any spin-glass phase. However, addition of Fe can bolster the moment on Ni. We wish to study whether the alloy Fe3.3Ni83.2Mo13.5, chosen near a composition where mean-field estimates suggest there could be a spin-glass phase, shows such a phase or not.
The magnetic properties of Fe/Co(001) superlattices have been studied using fully-relativistic first-principles theories. The average magnetic moment shows a behavior similar to bulk Fe-Co alloys, i.e., an enhanced magnetic moment for low Co concentrations, as described by the Slater-Pauling curve. The maximum of the magnetization curve, however, is lowered and shifted towards the Fe-rich compositions. The increased average magnetic moment for the Fe-rich superlattices, compared to bulk Fe, is due to an enhancement of the Fe spin moment close to the Fe-Co interface. The orbital moments were found to be of the same size as in bulk. The effect of interface roughness on the magnetic properties was investigated, and it was found that-despite local fluctuations due to the varying coordination-the average magnetic moment is only slightly affected. From a mapping of first-principles interactions onto the screened generalized perturbation method, we calculate the temperatures for when Fe/Co superlattices break up into an alloy configuration. Furthermore, the tetragonal distortion of the superlattice structure was found to only have a minor effect on the magnetic moments. Also, the calculated easy axis of magnetization is in the film plane for all compositions studied. It lies along the [100] direction for Fe-rich superlattices and along the [110] direction for Co-rich compositions. The transition of the easy axis occurs around a Co concentration of 50%.
We present an approach to control the magnetic structure of adatoms adsorbed on a substrate having a high magnetic susceptibility. Using finite Ni-Pt and Fe-Pt nanowires and nanostructures on Pt(111) surfaces, our ab initio results show that it is possible to tune the exchange interaction and magnetic configuration of magnetic adatoms (Fe or Ni) by introducing different numbers of Pt atoms to link them, or by including edge effects. The exchange interaction between Ni (or Fe) adatoms on Pt(111) can be considerably increased by introducing Pt chains to link them. The magnetic ordering can be regulated allowing for ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic configurations. Noncollinear magnetic alignments can also be stabilized by changing the number of Pt-mediated atoms. An Fe-Pt triangularly-shaped nanostructure adsorbed on Pt(111) shows the most complex magnetic structure of the systems considered here: a spin-spiral type of magnetic order that changes its propagation direction at the triangle vertices.
One of the key factors behind the rapid evolution of molecular spintronics is the efficient realization of spin manipulation of organic molecules with a magnetic center. The spin state of such molecules may depend crucially on the interaction with the substrate on which they are adsorbed. In this paper we demonstrate, using ab initio density functional calculations, that the stabilization of a high spin state of an iron porphyrin (FeP) molecule can be achieved via chemisorption on magnetic substrates of different species and orientations, viz., Co(001), Ni(001), Ni(110), and Ni(111). The signature of chemisorption of FeP on magnetic substrates is evident from broad features in N K x-ray absorption (XA) and Fe L-2,L-3 x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) measurements. Our theoretical calculations show that the strong covalent interaction with the substrate increases Fe-N bond lengths in FeP and hence a switching to a high spin state (S = 2) from an intermediate spin state (S = 1) is achieved. Due to chemisorption, ferromagnetic exchange interaction is established through a direct exchange between Fe and substrate magnetic atoms as well as through an indirect exchange via the N atoms in FeP. The mechanism of exchange interaction is further analyzed by considering structural models constructed from ab initio calculations. Also, it is found that the exchange interaction between Fe in FeP and a Ni substrate is almost 4 times smaller than with a Co substrate. Finally, we illustrate the possibility of detecting a change in the molecular spin state by XMCD, Raman spectroscopy, and spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy.
Spin switching of organometallic complexes by ferromagnetic surfaces is an important topic in the area of molecular nanospintronics. Moreover, graphene has been shown as a 2D surface for physisorption of molecular magnets and strain engineering on graphene can tune the spin state of an iron porphyrin (FeP) molecule from S = 1 to S = 2. Our ab initio density functional calculations suggest that a pristine graphene layer placed between a Ni(111) surface and FeP yields an extremely weak exchange interaction between FeP and Ni whereas the introduction of defects in graphene shows a variety of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic exchange interactions. Moreover, these defects control the easy axes of magnetization, strengths of magnetic anisotropy energies and spin-dipolar contributions. Our study suggests a new way of manipulating molecular magnetism by defects in graphene and hence has the potential to be explored in designing spin qubits to realize logic operations in molecular nanospintronics.
We have performed density-functional calculations as well as employed a tight-binding theory, to study the effect of passivation of zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNR) by hydrogen. We show that each edge C atom bonded with 2 H atoms open up a gap and destroys magnetism for small widths of the nanoribbon. However, a re-entrant magnetism accompanied by a metallic electronic structure is observed from eight rows and thicker nanoribbons. The electronic structure and magnetic state are quite complex for this type of termination, with sp(3) bonded edge atoms being nonmagnetic whereas the nearest neighboring atoms are metallic and magnetic. We have also evaluated the phase stability of several thicknesses of ZGNR and demonstrate that sp(3) bonded edge atoms with 2 H atoms at the edge can be stabilized over 1 H atom terminated edge at high temperatures and pressures.
One of the primary objectives in molecular nanospintronics is to manipulate the spin states of organic molecules with a d-electron center, by suitable external means. In this Letter, we demonstrate by first principles density functional calculations, as well as second order perturbation theory, that a strain induced change of the spin state, from S = 1 -> S = 2, takes place for an iron porphyrin (FeP) molecule deposited at a divacancy site in a graphene lattice. The process is reversible in the sense that the application of tensile or compressive strains in the graphene lattice can stabilize FeP in different spin states, each with a unique saturation moment and easy axis orientation. The effect is brought about by a change in Fe-N bond length in FeP, which influences the molecular level diagram as well as the interaction between the C atoms of the graphene layer and the molecular orbitals of FeP.
We suggest here a nanolaminate, 5[Fe]/2[W(x)Re(1-x)] (x = 0.6-0.8), with enhanced magnetic hardness in combination with a large saturation moment. The calculated magnetic anisotropy of this material reaches values of 5.3-7.0 MJ/m(3), depending on alloying conditions. We also propose a recipe in how to identify other novel magnetic materials, such as nanolaminates and multilayers, with large magnetic anisotropy in combination with a high saturation moment.
Advancement toward opening a bandgap at the Dirac point induced by symmetry breaking paved the way to realize 2D heterostructures with graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). An alternate arrangement of graphene and h-BN layers in a 3D stacking can tune the bandgaps of these composites depending on the position of B and N atoms with respect to C atoms of graphene. Herein, a unique possibility of arranging graphene and h-BN atomic layers in a quasiperiodic Fibonacci sequence to study the possibilities of controlling the electronic properties of these heterostructures is explored. Density functional theory calculations combined with van der Waals corrections reveal that these quasiperiodic heterostructures are more stable than normal periodic stacking of monolayers of graphene and h-BN. Moreover, for certain arrangements of atomic layers, sizeable bandgaps can be obtained.
In this work, we report a detailed study of the electronic structure and transport properties of mono- and difluorinated edges of zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNR) using density functional theory (DFT). The calculated formation energies at 0 K indicate that the stability of the nanoribbons increases with the increase in the concentration of difluorinated edge C atoms along with an interesting variation of the energy gaps between 0.0 to 0.66 eV depending on the concentration. This gives a possibility of tuning the band gaps by controlling the concentration of F for terminating the edges of the nanoribbons. The DFT results have been reproduced by density functional tight binding method. Using the nonequilibrium Green functional method, we have calculated the transmission coefficients of several mono- and difluorinated ZGNR as a function of unit cell size and degree of homogeneous disorder caused by the random placement of mono and difluorinated C atoms at the edges.
In this work, we report a detailed study of the electronic structure and transport properties of mono- and di-fluorinated edges of zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNR) using density functional theory (DFT). The calculated formation energies at 0K indicate that the stability of the nanoribbons increases with the increase in the concentration of di-fluorinated edge C atoms along with an interesting variation of the energy gaps between 0.0 to 0.66 eV depending on the concentration. This gives a possibility of tuning the band gaps by controlling the concentration of F for terminating the edges of the nanoribbons. The DFT results have been reproduced by single band tight binding as well as density functional tight binding methods. Using non-equilibrium Green functional method, we have calculated the transmission coecients of several mono and di-fluorinated ZGNR as a function of unit cell size and degree of homogeneous disorder caused by the random placement of mono and di-fuorinated C atoms at the edges.
A proper theoretical description of the electronic structure of the 3d orbitals in the metal centers of functional metalorganics is a challenging problem. We apply density functional theory and an exact diagonalization method in a many-body approach to study the ground-state electronic configuration of an iron porphyrin (FeP) molecule. Our study reveals that the consideration of multiple Slater determinants is important, and FeP is a potential candidate for realizing a spin crossover due to a subtle balance of crystal-field effects, on-site Coulomb repulsion, and hybridization between the Fe-d orbitals and ligand N-p states. The mechanism of switching between two close-lying electronic configurations of Fe-d orbitals is shown. We discuss the generality of the suggested approach and the possibility to properly describe the electronic structure and related low-energy physics of the whole class of correlated metal-centered organometallic molecules.
The proper description of electronic structure of correlated orbitals in the metal centers of functional metalorganics is a challenging problem. In this letter, we apply density functional theory and exact diagonalization method in a many body approach to study the ground state electronic conguration of iron porphyrin (FeP) molecule. Our study reveals that FeP is a potential candidate for realizing a spin crossover due to a subtle balance of crystal elds and hybridization of the Fe d-orbitals and ligand N p-states. Moreover, the mechanism of switching between two close lying electronic congurations of Fe-d orbitals is revealed. This hybrid method can generally be applied to properly describe the electronic and related low energy physics of the whole class of correlated metal centered organometallic molecules.
The magnetization dynamics of a synthetic antiferromagnet subjected to a short-magnetic-field pulse has been studied by using a combination of first principles calculations and atomistic spin-dynamics simulations. We observe switching phenomena on the time scale of tens of picoseconds, and inertia-like behavior in the magnetization dynamics. We explain the latter in terms of a dynamic redistribution of magnetic energy from the applied-field pulse to other possible energy terms, such as the exchange interaction and the magnetic anisotropy, without invoking concepts such as the inertia of an antiferro-magnetic vector. We also demonstrate that such dynamics can also be observed in a ferromagnetic material where the incident-field pulse pumps energy to the magnetic anisotropy.
Electronic structure calculations have been performed for the Co-phthalocyanine molecule using density functional theory (DFT) within the framework of Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA). The electronic correlation in Co 3d orbitals is treated in terms of the GGA+U method in the framework of the Hubbard model. We find that for U = 6 eV, the calculated structural parameters as well as the spectral features are in good agreement with the experimental findings. From our calculation both the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) are dominated by the pyrrole carbon, with a HOMO-LUMO gap of about 1.4 eV. The GGA+U results obtained with U = 6 eV compare reasonably well with the calculations performed using Gaussian basis set and hybrid functionals in terms of ground state geometry, spin state and spectral features. The calculated valence band photoemission spectrum is in quite good agreement with the recently published experimental results.
First principles electronic structure calculations have been performed for the double perovskite Bi2CoMnO6 in its non-centrosymmetric polar state using the generalized gradient approximation plus the Hubbard U approach. We find that the ferromagnetic state is more favored compared to the ferrimagnetic state with both Co and Mn in high spin states. The calculated dynamical charge tensors are anisotropic reflecting a low-symmetry structure of the compound. The magnetic structure dependent phonon frequencies indicate the presence of a weak spin-phonon coupling. Using the Berry phase method, we obtain a spontaneous ferroelectric polarization of 5.88 mu C cm(-2), which is close to the experimental value observed for a similar compound, Bi2NiMnO6.
The present work reports a photoelectron spectroscopy study of the low-energy region of the valence band of metal-free phthalocyanine (H2Pc) compared with those of iron phthalocyanine (FePc) and manganese phthalocyanine (MnPc). We have analysed in detail the atomic orbital composition of the valence band both experimentally, by making use of the variation in photoionization cross-sections with photon energy, and theoretically, by means of density functional theory. The atomic character of the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO), reflected on the outermost valence band binding energy region, is different for MnPc as compared to the other two molecules. The peaks related to the C 2p contributions, result in the HOMO for H2Pc and FePc and in the HOMO-1 for MnPc as described by the theoretical predictions, in very good agreement with the experimental results. The DFT simulations, discerning the atomic contribution to the density of states, indicate how the central metal atom interacts with the C and N atoms of the molecule, giving rise to different partial and total density of states for these three Pc molecules.
Using Near Edge X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) Spectroscopy, the thickness dependent formation of Lutetium Phthalocyanine (LuPc2) films on a stepped passivated Si(100)2x1 reconstructed surface was studied. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to gain detailed insights into the electronic structure. Photoelectron spectroscopy measurements have not revealed any noticeable interaction of LuPc2 with the H-passivated Si surface. The presented study can be considered to give a comprehensive description of the LuPc2 molecular electronic structure. The DFT calculations reveal the interaction of the two molecular rings with each other and with the metallic center forming new kinds of orbitals in between the phthalocyanine rings, which allows to better understand the experimentally obtained NEXAFS results.
In this study we report on the film growth and characterization of thin films deposited on amorphous quartz. The experimental studies have been complemented by first-principles density-functional theory metastable Ti-Fe-C film changes. With increasing annealing time, there is a depletion of iron close to the surface of the film, while regions enriched in iron are simultaneously formed deeper into the film. Both the magnetic ordering temperature and the saturation magnetization changes significantly upon annealing. The DFT calculations show that the critical temperature and the magnetic moment both increase with increasing Fe and C-vacancy concentration. The formation of the metastable iron-rich Ti-Fe-C compound is reflected in the strong increase in the magnetic ordering temperature. Eventually, after enough annealing time nanocrystalline -Fe starts to precipitate, the amount and size of which can be controlled by the annealing procedure; after 20 min of annealing, the experimental results indicate a nanocrystalline iron-film embedded in a wear-resistant TiC compound. This conclusion is further supported by transmission electron microscopy studies on epitaxial Ti-Fe-C films deposited on single-crystalline MgO substrates where, upon annealing, an iron film embedded in TiC is formed. Our results suggest that annealing of metastable Ti-Fe-C films can be used as an efficient way of creating a wear-resistant magnetic thin film material. approximately 50-nm-thick Ti-Fe-CDFT calculations. Upon annealing of as-prepared films, the composition of the10 min, nanocrystalline -Fe starts to precipitate, the amount and size of which can be controlled by the annealing procedure; after 20 min of annealing, the experimental results indicate a nanocrystalline iron-film embedded in a wear-resistant TiC compound. This conclusion is further supported by transmission electron microscopy studies on epitaxial Ti-Fe-C films deposited on single-crystalline MgO substrates where, upon annealing, an iron film embedded in TiC is formed. Our results suggest that annealing of metastable Ti-Fe-C films can be used as an efficient way of creating a wear-resistant magnetic thin film material.
The electronic structure of iron phthalocyanine (FePc) in the valence region was examined within a joint theoretical-experimental collaboration. Particular emphasis was placed on the determination of the energy position of the Fe 3d levels in proximity of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). Photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) measurements were performed on FePc in gas phase at several photon energies in the interval between 21 and 150 eV. Significant variations of the relative intensities were observed, indicating a different elemental and atomic orbital composition of the highest lying spectral features. The electronic structure of a single FePc molecule was first computed by quantum chemical calculations by means of density functional theory (DFT). The hybrid Becke 3-parameter, Lee, Yang and Parr (B3LYP) functional and the semilocal 1996 functional of Perdew, Burke and Ernzerhof (PBE) of the generalized gradient approximation (GGA-) type, exchange-correlation functionals were used. The DFT/B3LYP calculations find that the HOMO is a doubly occupied pi-type orbital formed by the carbon 2p electrons, and the HOMO-1 is a mixing of carbon 2p and iron 3d electrons. In contrast, the DFT/PBE calculations find an iron 3d contribution in the HOMO. The experimental photoelectron spectra of the valence band taken at different energies were simulated by means of the Gelius model, taking into account the atomic subshell photoionization cross sections. Moreover, calculations of the electronic structure of FePc using the GGA+U method were performed, where the strong correlations of the Fe 3d electronic states were incorporated through the Hubbard model. Through a comparison with our quantum chemical calculations we find that the best agreement with the experimental results is obtained for a U-eff value of 5 eV.
We present an ab initio density functional theory study of the magnetic properties of manganese phthalocyanine dimers, where we focus on the magnetic coupling between the Mn centers and on how it is affected by external factors like chemisorption or atomic axial ligands. We have studied several different configurations for the gas phase dimers, which resulted in ferromagnetic couplings of different magnitudes. For the bare dimer we find a significant ferromagnetic coupling between the Mn centers, which decreases by about 20% when a H atom is adsorbed on one of the Mn atoms and is reduced to about 7% when a Cl atom is adsorbed. The magnetic coupling is almost fully quenched when the dimer, bare or with the H ligand, is deposited on the ferromagnetic substrate Co(001). Our calculations indicate that the coupling between the two Mn atoms principally occurs via a superexchange interaction along two possible paths within a Mn-N-Mn-N four-atom loop. When these electrons get involved in chemical bonding outside the dimer itself, an appreciable alteration of the overlap between Mn and N molecular orbitals along the loop occurs, and consequently, the magnetic interaction between the Mn centers varies. We show that this is reflected by the electronic structure of the dimer in various configurations and is also visible in the structure of the atomic loop. The chemical tuning of the magnetic coupling is highly relevant for the design of nanodevices like molecular spin valves, where the molecules need to be anchored to a support.
There exists an extensive literature on the electronic structure of transition-metal phthalocyanines (TMPcs), either as single molecules or adsorbed on surfaces, where explicit intra-atomic Coulomb interactions of the strongly correlated orbitals are included in the form of a Hubbard U term. The choice of U is, to a large extent, based solely on previous values reported in the literature for similar systems. Here, we provide a systematic analysis of the influence of electron correlation on the electronic structure and magnetism of several TMPcs (MnPc, FePc, CoPc, NiPc, and CuPc). By comparing calculated results to valence-band photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, and by determining the Hubbard term from linear response, we show that the choice of U is not as straightforward and can be different for each different TMPc. This, in turn, highlights the importance of individually estimating the value of U for each system before performing any further analysis and shows how this value can influence the final results.
It is established that density functional theory (DFT) + U is a better choice compared to DFT for describing the correlated electron metal center in organometallics. The value of the Hubbard U parameter may be determined from linear response, either by considering the response of the metal site alone or by additionally considering the response of other sites in the compound. We analyze here in detail the influence of ligand shells of increasing size on the U parameter calculated from the linear response for five transition metal phthalocyanines. We show that the calculated multiple-site U is larger than the single-site U by as much as 1 eV and the ligand atoms that are mainly responsible for this difference are the isoindole nitrogen atoms directly bonded to the central metal atom. This suggests that a different U value may be required for computations of chemisorbed molecules compared to physisorbed and gas-phase cases.
To shed light on the metal 3d electronic structure of manganese phthalocyanine, so far controversial, we performed photoelectron measurements both in the gas phase and as thin film. With the purpose of explaining the experimental results, three different electronic configurations close in energy to one another were studied by means of density functional theory. The comparison between the calculated valence band density of states and the measured spectra revealed that in the gas phase the molecules exhibit a mixed electronic configuration, while in the thin film, manganese phthalocyanine finds itself in the theoretically computed ground state, namely, the b2g1eg3a1g1b1g0 electronic configuration.