Electronic and magnetic properties of CdI2-type MX2 (M = V, Nb; X = Al, Ga and In) compounds. Issue 1 (17th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jaiganesh, G; Kalpana, G
• Is Part Of: IOP conference series. Volume 73:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 012135
• Publication Date: 2015-02-17
• Subjects: Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/73/1/012135
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-8981

Abstract

Abstract: First-principle calculations within the density-functional theory is used to investigate the possibility of existence of ferromagnetism in hypothetical CdI2 -type MX2 (M = V, Nb; X = Al, Ga and In) compounds. The TBLMTO-ASA program is used for this purpose. Both spin-polarization and non-spin-polarization calculations are carried out for each compound. The spin-polarization calculation shows that VX2 (X = Al, Ga and In) compounds are ferromagnets whereas NbX2 (X = Al, Ga and In) compounds are non-magnets because no effective polarization of the energy states occurs at their equilibrium volume. However, the NbX2 (X = Al, Ga and In) compounds become ferromagnets under large volume expansion. Ferromagnetism in these compounds is predicted for the first time. The variation of lattice constant with magnetic moment for VX2 (X = Al, Ga and In) compounds are also analysed. The magnetism arises mainly from the cation d -like states. This result is similar to other transition-metal based pnictide and chalcogenide compounds. The ground-state properties like equilibrium lattice parameters, bulk modulus, heat of formation and total and partial magnetic moments are calculated.