The Pressure Dependence of Structural, Electronic, Mechanical, Vibrational, and Thermodynamic Properties of Palladium-Based Heusler Alloys

Abstract

AbstractThe pressure dependent behaviour of the structural, electronic, mechanical, vibrational, and thermodynamic properties of Pd2TiX (X=Ga, In) Heusler alloys was investigated by ab initio calculations. The lattice constant, the bulk modulus and its first pressure derivative, the electronic band structure and the density of states (DOS), mechanical properties such as elastic constants, anisotropy factor, Young’s modulus, etc., the phonon dispersion curves and phonon DOS, entropy, heat capacity, and free energy were obtained under pressure. It was determined that the calculated lattice parameters are in good agreement with the literature, the elastic constants obey the stability criterion, and the phonon dispersion curves have no negative frequency which shows that the compounds are stable. The band structures at 0, 50, and 70 GPa showed valence instability at the L point which explains the superconductivity in Pd2TiX (X=Ga, In).