A quantum mechanical study of TiCl3α, β and γ crystal phases: geometry, electronic structure and magnetism

Abstract

The electronic structure of different magnetic states of alpha, beta and gamma modifications of TiCl(3) has been computed employing the density functional theory with periodic boundary conditions and localized Gaussian basis sets. The analysis of the density of the electronic states (DOS) and of the spin density makes it possible to classify these halides as Mott-Hubbard insulators, where the band gap appears a result of large on-site Coulomb interaction. For each crystalline phase, the relative stability of different magnetic states has been analyzed in terms of exchange mechanisms. The electronic population data along with the spin density maps support the assumption of a d(1) Titanium ion in a distorted octahedral crystal field, notwithstanding the not fully ionic character of TiCl(3) modifications. Dispersion forces are particularly important for this material: a classical correction (of the type f(R)/R(6)) has been added to the DFT energies and gradients, providing a good agreement with structural data.