Prediction of crystal structure, lattice dynamical, and mechanical properties of CaB 2H 2

Abstract

The phase stability of CaB 2H 2 phase at ambient and high pressures was investigated using the state-of-the-art ab initio program based on density functional theory. At ambient conditions CaB 2H 2 crystallizes in orthorhombic phase (α-modification; space group Cmc21) and at high pressure it transforms into trigonal structure (β-modification; space group P 3 ¯ m1). From the lattice dynamics simulation and mechanical properties study we have found that the predicted phases are dynamically as well as mechanically stable. The chemical bonding in CaB 2H 2 is discussed on the basis of electronic structures, charge density, and bond overlap population analysis. In order to verify the possible existence of this compound experimentally we have simulated the Raman, IR spectra and NMR related parameters like isotropic chemical shielding, quadrupolar coupling constant, and quadrupolar asymmetry parameters. The electronic structures reveal that α- and β-CaB 2H 2 modifications are indirect band gap semiconductor with estimated band gap vary between 0.32 and 1.98 eV.