First-principles calculation on the structure stability, elastic properties and electronic structure of P-doped Mg2Si

In this study, the effect on the structure stability, elastic properties and electronic structure of P-doped Mg _2 Si were studied by the first-principles pseudopotential plane wave method based on density functional theory. The lattice constants, formation enthalpy, cohesive energy, elastic constan...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yingmin Li, Tianyu Ma, Yuyan Ren, Tongyu Liu, Xue Zou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2020-01-01
Series:Materials Research Express
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/ab7e4a
Description
Summary:In this study, the effect on the structure stability, elastic properties and electronic structure of P-doped Mg _2 Si were studied by the first-principles pseudopotential plane wave method based on density functional theory. The lattice constants, formation enthalpy, cohesive energy, elastic constants, and elastic moduli of Mg _2 Si, Mg _7 Si _4 P, Mg _8 Si _3 P and Mg _8 Si _4 P were calculated, and the electronic structure analysis was also performed. The occupation tendency, structural stability, bonding characteristics, orbital hybridization and the change of conductivity of doping P atoms in the matrix were further investigated. Among them, the research results of formation enthalpy, cohesive energy and elastic constant show that Mg _2 Si, Mg _8 Si _3 P and Mg _8 Si _4 P can all exist stably in the system, and the crystal structure of Mg _7 Si _4 P can not exist stably. P atoms doping into the Mg _2 Si lattice tend to occupy Si atoms position preferentially. The results of elastic modulus study show that Mg _2 Si and Mg _8 Si _4 P are brittle phase and Mg _8 Si _3 P is ductile phase. The plasticity and toughness of Mg _2 Si alloy system are improved by doping P atoms. The electronic structure analysis shows that the method of doping P atoms changes the orbital hybridization and bonding characteristics of the system. The Mg-P and Si-P covalent bond formed by Mg _8 Si _3 P and Mg _8 Si _4 P increase the structure stability. The energy band structure analysis also show reduction of the band gap from 0.224 to 0.184 eV for Mg _2 Si with P dopants at the substitutional Si-sites and the band gap closure in the system with interstitial P-impurities. It enhances the metallic property of the material, and Mg _8 Si _4 P phase also transform from its semiconducting to metallic state. Consequently, this method both increases the carrier concentration and reduces the energy of free electron transition. The conductivity of the Mg _2 Si alloy system will be improve.
ISSN:2053-1591