Ab initio and molecular dynamics studies of solid β-HMX: effects of hydrostatic pressure and high temperature

Abstract

Using first-principles density functional theory and classical molecular dynamics (MD), the structural, electronic and mechanical properties of the energetic material β-HMX have been studied. The crystal structure optimised by the local density approximation calculations compares reasonably with the experimental data. Electronic band structure and density of states indicate that β-HMX is an insulator with a band gap of 3.059 eV. The pressure effect on the crystal structure and physical properties has been investigated in the range of 0–40 GPa. The crystal structure and electronic properties change slightly as the pressure increases from 0 to 2.5 GPa; when the pressure is above 2.5 GPa, further increment of the pressure results in significant changes in crystal structure. There is a larger compression along the b-axis than along the a- and c-axes. Isothermal–isobaric MD simulations on β-HMX were performed in the temperature range of 5–400 K. Phase transition at 360 K, corresponding to a volume interrupt, was found. The computed thermal expansion coefficients show anisotropic behaviour with a slightly larger expansion along the b- and c-axes than along the a-axis. In the temperature range of 5–360 K, β-HMX possesses good plasticity and its stiffness decreases with increasing the temperature.