Effect of Cr substitution on the electronic structure of CuAl1-xCrxO2

The geometries and electronic structures of CuAl1-x Crx O2 have been investigated using density-functional theory with on-site corrections for strongly correlated systems (GGA+U) for x=0, 1 2, 1. Al is found to be well described within the ionic model, with a valence charge corresponding to a +3 oxi...

Popoln opis

Bibliografske podrobnosti
Main Authors: Scanlon, DO, Walsh, A, Morgan, B, Watson, G, Payne, D, Egdell, R
Format: Journal article
Jezik:English
Izdano: 2009
Opis
Izvleček:The geometries and electronic structures of CuAl1-x Crx O2 have been investigated using density-functional theory with on-site corrections for strongly correlated systems (GGA+U) for x=0, 1 2, 1. Al is found to be well described within the ionic model, with a valence charge corresponding to a +3 oxidation state. Substituting Cr for Al is predicted to increase the density of states at the top of the valence band, in agreement with experimental x-ray photoemission spectroscopy data. Analysis of atom-projected densities of states and valence charges suggests that this is due to increased covalency between Cr and O; the valence charge for O in the Cu-O-(Al,Cr) subunits changes from -1.74 to ∼-1.25 when Cr replaces Al. This produces an indirect oxygen-mediated change to the Cud states. © 2009 The American Physical Society.