First Principles Calculations to Describe Zirconia Pseudopolymorphs

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe structural and electronic properties of four different structures of zirconia (ZrO2) are studied using ab initio total energy calculations. The calculations are made in the framework of density functional (DFT) and pseudopotential theory. We compare results given within the LDA (Local Density Approximation) and including Generalized Gradient Corrections (GGCs) in the Perdew Wang and Perdew Becke formalisms. We present results for pure and defective zirconia (oxygen vacancies and Zr substitution by Fe) showing the effects of such point defects on tne relative structural stabilities of the different pseudopolymorphs.