First-principles calculation of elastic and thermodynamic properties of Ni2MnGa Heusler alloy

Abstract

The equilibrium lattice parameter, heat capacity, thermal expansion coefficient and bulk modulus of Ni2MnGa Heusler alloy are successfully obtained using the first-principles plane-wave pseudopotential (PW-PP) method as well as the quasi-harmonic Debye model. We analyse the relationship between bulk modulus B and temperature T up to 800 K and obtain the relationship between bulk modulus B and pressure at different temperatures. It is found that the bulk modulus B increases monotonically with increasing pressure and decreases with increasing temperature. The pressure dependence of heat capacity Cv and thermal expansion α at various temperatures are also analysed. Finally, the Debye temperature of Ni2MnGa is determined from the non-equilibrium Gibbs function. Our calculated results are in excellent agreement with the experimental data.