Ground-state Density Functional Theory Calculations Research Articles

Excitonic and Environmental Screening Effects in Two-Dimensional Janus MSO (M = Ga, In).

In this work, we investigate Janus monolayer MSO (M = Ga, In) systems using the state-of-the-art GW method within the framework of the many-body perturbation theory. Ground-state density functional theory calculations reveal that both the substitution of S atoms with O atoms and the chemisorption of the O atoms on a single side of the MS layer narrow the band gaps and reduce the carrier mobilities. Notably, one-shot GW calculations demonstrate that the GaSO-2 and InSO-1 systems exhibit optimal band gaps for visible light absorption. Based on the Bethe-Salpeter equation, the exciton binding energies of isolated Janus monolayer GaSO-2 and InSO-1 systems are lower than those of their prototype GaS and InS by 0.37 and 0.17 eV, respectively. Further calculations show that the exciton binding energies of the Janus GaSO-2 and InSO-1 systems can be precisely tuned by adjusting their thicknesses and the thicknesses of their substrates. A deep understanding of the mechanisms for tuning the exciton binding energies in Janus GaSO-2 and InSO-1 systems is crucial for the future design of advanced photovoltaic devices.

GPAW: An open Python package for electronic structure calculations.

We review the GPAW open-source Python package for electronic structure calculations. GPAW is based on the projector-augmented wave method and can solve the self-consistent density functional theory (DFT) equations using three different wave-function representations, namely real-space grids, plane waves, and numerical atomic orbitals. The three representations are complementary and mutually independent and can be connected by transformations via the real-space grid. This multi-basis feature renders GPAW highly versatile and unique among similar codes. By virtue of its modular structure, the GPAW code constitutes an ideal platform for the implementation of new features and methodologies. Moreover, it is well integrated with the Atomic Simulation Environment (ASE), providing a flexible and dynamic user interface. In addition to ground-state DFT calculations, GPAW supports many-body GW band structures, optical excitations from the Bethe-Salpeter Equation, variational calculations of excited states in molecules and solids via direct optimization, and real-time propagation of the Kohn-Sham equations within time-dependent DFT. A range of more advanced methods to describe magnetic excitations and non-collinear magnetism in solids are also now available. In addition, GPAW can calculate non-linear optical tensors of solids, charged crystal point defects, and much more. Recently, support for graphics processing unit (GPU) acceleration has been achieved with minor modifications to the GPAW code thanks to the CuPy library. We end the review with an outlook, describing some future plans for GPAW.

Rational design of one inorganic-organic hybrid Z-scheme heterojunction for high-performance photocatalytic water splitting

Searching high-performance Z-scheme heterojunction is of great significance for the solution of energy shortage and environmental pollution. Combining density functional theory (DFT) calculation and time-dependent ab-initio diabatic molecular dynamics (NAMD) simulation, we theoretically found one new inorganic–organic hybrid Z-scheme heterojunction CdS/C6N7, involving the stacking of CdS monolayer with C6N7 monolayer. The unique electronic properties (e.g. staggered band alignment, charge transfer) of Z-scheme heterojunction was strictly verified via the ground-state DFT calculations, and time-dependent NAMD simulations demonstrated the dynamic processes of photogenerated carriers separation and recombination. The strong built-in electric field from CdS to C6N7 layer promotes the non-adiabatic coupling of pristine carriers, resulting in the strong redox ability of CdS/C6N7. Catalytic property shown that CdS/C6N7 features outstanding performance for overall water splitting (OWS), where the synergy of strong redox ability and effective spatial separation of electron-holes plays an important role.

Strong out-of-plane excitons in 2D hybrid halide double perovskites

By means of an ab initio investigation, exploiting many-body perturbation theory approaches on top of ground-state density functional theory calculations, we disclose the impact of the electronic correlation on the band structure and optical properties of a class of recently synthesized Pb-free 2D-layered halide perovskites, namely, (BA)4AgBiBr8 and (BA)2CsAgBiBr7. We observe strong out-of-plane excitonic dipoles characterizing the optical spectra, a result that suggests the potential applicability of these layered hybrid materials in photonics and plasmonics, where the perpendicular field direction plays a relevant role.

Structure–Assembly–Property Relationships of Simple Ditopic Hydrogen-Bonding-Capable π-Conjugated Oligomers

A series of simple ditopic hydrogen-bonding-capable molecules functionalized with 2,4-diamino-1,3,5-triazine (DAT), barbiturate (B), and phthalhydrazide (PH) on both termini of a 2,2′-bithiophene linker were designed and synthesized. The intrinsic electronic structures of the ditopic DAT, PH, and B molecules were investigated with ground-state density functional theory calculations. Their solution absorbance was investigated with UV-vis, where it was found that increasing size of R group substituents on the bithiophene linker resulted in a general blue-shift in solution absorbance maximum. The solid-state optical properties of ditopic DAT and B thin films were evaluated by UV-vis, and it was found that the solid-state absorbance was red-shifted with respect to solution absorbance in all cases. The three DAT molecules were vacuum-thermal-deposited onto Au(111) substrates and the morphologies were examined using scanning tunneling microscopy. (DAT-T)2 was observed to organize into six-membered rosettes on the surface, whereas (DAT-TMe)2 formed linear assemblies before and after thermal annealing. For (DAT-Toct)2 , an irregular arrangement was observed, while (B-TMe)2 showed several co-existent assembly patterns. The work presented here provides fundamental molecular–supramolecular relationships useful for semiconductive materials design based on ditopic hydrogen-bonding-capable building blocks.

Electronic Structure of the Hieber Anion [Fe(CO)3(NO)]− Revisited by X-ray Emission and Absorption Spectroscopy

While the Hieber anion [Fe(CO)3(NO)]- has been reincarnated in the last years as an active catalyst in organic synthesis, there is still a debate about the oxidation state of the central Fe atom and the resulting charge of the NO ligand. To shed new light on this question and to understand the Fe-NO interaction in the Hieber anion, it is investigated in comparison to the formal 3d8 reference Fe(CO)5 and the formal 3d10 reference [Fe(CO)4]2- by the combination of valence-to-core X-ray emission spectroscopy (VtC-XES), X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES), and high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detected XANES. In order to extract information about the electronic structure, time-dependent density functional theory and ground-state density functional theory calculations are applied. This combination of experimental and computational methods reveals that the electron density at the Fe center of the Hieber resembles that of the isoelectronic [Fe(CO)4]2-. These observations challenge recent descriptions of the Hieber anion and reopen the debate about the experimentally and computationally determined Fe oxidation state and charge on the NO ligand.

Investigation of the Optical and Excitonic Properties of the Visible Light-Driven Photocatalytic BiVO4 Material

An investigation of the optical and excitonic properties of photocatalytic compounds based on both experimental and theoretical approaches is proposed. More specifically, this paper reports, for the first time, the local-field, optical anisotropy, and excitonic effects in BiVO4, an active photocatalytic material in the visible range. The analyses are based on electron energy-loss spectroscopy measurements, ground-state density functional theory calculations, including crystal local-field effects, and many-body corrections using the Bethe-Salpeter equation. These results are supported by a comparison with two materials, namely, TiO2 anatase and rutile, which are well-known to differ in their photocatalytic properties, those being important and negligible, respectively. The analogies found for these two categories of compounds allow the proposal of criteria that appear to be essential for producing an optimal photocatalytic material.

Spin-Polarization-Induced Preedge Transitions in the Sulfur K-Edge XAS Spectra of Open-Shell Transition-Metal Sulfates: Spectroscopic Validation of σ-Bond Electron Transfer.

Sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) spectra of the monodentate sulfate complexes [MII(itao)(SO4)(H2O)0,1] (M = Co, Ni, Cu) and [Cu(Me6tren)(SO4)] exhibit well-defined preedge transitions at 2479.4, 2479.9, 2478.4, and 2477.7 eV, respectively, despite having no direct metal-sulfur bond, while the XAS preedge of [Zn(itao)(SO4)] is featureless. The sulfur K-edge XAS of [Cu(itao)(SO4)] but not of [Cu(Me6tren)(SO4)] uniquely exhibits a weak transition at 2472.1 eV, an extraordinary 8.7 eV below the first inflection of the rising K-edge. Preedge transitions also appear in the sulfur K-edge XAS of crystalline [MII(SO4)(H2O)] (M = Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu, but not Zn) and in sulfates of higher-valent early transition metals. Ground-state density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations show that charge transfer from coordinated sulfate to paramagnetic late transition metals produces spin polarization that differentially mixes the spin-up (α) and spin-down (β) spin orbitals of the sulfate ligand, inducing negative spin density at the sulfate sulfur. Ground-state DFT calculations show that sulfur 3p character then mixes into metal 4s and 4p valence orbitals and various combinations of ligand antibonding orbitals, producing measurable sulfur XAS transitions. TDDFT calculations confirm the presence of XAS preedge features 0.5-2 eV below the rising sulfur K-edge energy. The 2472.1 eV feature arises when orbitals at lower energy than the frontier occupied orbitals with S 3p character mix with the copper(II) electron hole. Transmission of spin polarization and thus of radical character through several bonds between the sulfur and electron hole provides a new mechanism for the counterintuitive appearance of preedge transitions in the XAS spectra of transition-metal oxoanion ligands in the absence of any direct metal-absorber bond. The 2472.1 eV transition is evidence for further radicalization from copper(II), which extends across a hydrogen-bond bridge between sulfate and the itao ligand and involves orbitals at energies below the frontier set. This electronic structure feature provides a direct spectroscopic confirmation of the through-bond electron-transfer mechanism of redox-active metalloproteins.

Evaluating the electronic structure of formal LnII ions in LnII(C5H4SiMe3)31- using XANES spectroscopy and DFT calculations.

The isolation of [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][Ln(C5H4SiMe3)3], formally containing LnII, for all lanthanides (excluding Pm) was surprising given that +2 oxidation states are typically regarded as inaccessible for most 4f-elements. Herein, X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES), ground-state density functional theory (DFT), and transition dipole moment calculations are used to investigate the possibility that Ln(C5H4SiMe3)31- (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Y, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu) compounds represented molecular LnII complexes. Results from the ground-state DFT calculations were supported by additional calculations that utilized complete-active-space multi-configuration approach with second-order perturbation theoretical correction (CASPT2). Through comparisons with standards, Ln(C5H4SiMe3)31- (Ln = Sm, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y) are determined to contain 4f6 5d0 (SmII), 4f13 5d0 (TmII), 4f14 5d0 (YbII), 4f14 5d1 (LuII), and 4d1 (YII) electronic configurations. Additionally, our results suggest that Ln(C5H4SiMe3)31- (Ln = Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er) also contain LnII ions, but with 4f n 5d1 configurations (not 4f n+1 5d0). In these 4f n 5d1 complexes, the C3h-symmetric ligand environment provides a highly shielded 5d-orbital of a' symmetry that made the 4f n 5d1 electronic configurations lower in energy than the more typical 4f n+1 5d0 configuration.

Nonadiabatic Dynamics for Electrons at Second-Order: Real-Time TDDFT and OSCF2.

We develop a new model to simulate nonradiative relaxation and dephasing by combining real-time Hartree-Fock and density functional theory (DFT) with our recent open-systems theory of electronic dynamics. The approach has some key advantages: it has been systematically derived and properly relaxes noninteracting electrons to a Fermi-Dirac distribution. This paper combines the new dissipation theory with an atomistic, all-electron quantum chemistry code and an atom-centered model of the thermal environment. The environment is represented nonempirically and is dependent on molecular structure in a nonlocal way. A production quality, O(N(3)) closed-shell implementation of our theory applicable to realistic molecular systems is presented, including timing information. This scaling implies that the added cost of our nonadiabatic relaxation model, time-dependent open self-consistent field at second order (OSCF2), is computationally inexpensive, relative to adiabatic propagation of real-time time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) or time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). Details of the implementation and numerical algorithm, including factorization and efficiency, are discussed. We demonstrate that OSCF2 approaches the stationary self-consistent field (SCF) ground state when the gap is large relative to k(b)T. The code is used to calculate linear-response spectra including the effects of bath dynamics. Finally, we show how our theory of finite-temperature relaxation can be used to correct ground-state DFT calculations.

Determining Relative f and d Orbital Contributions to M–Cl Covalency in MCl62– (M = Ti, Zr, Hf, U) and UOCl5– Using Cl K-Edge X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory

Chlorine K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and ground-state and time-dependent hybrid density functional theory (DFT) were used to probe the electronic structures of O(h)-MCl(6)(2-) (M = Ti, Zr, Hf, U) and C(4v)-UOCl(5)(-), and to determine the relative contributions of valence 3d, 4d, 5d, 6d, and 5f orbitals in M-Cl bonding. Spectral interpretations were guided by time-dependent DFT calculated transition energies and oscillator strengths, which agree well with the experimental XAS spectra. The data provide new spectroscopic evidence for the involvement of both 5f and 6d orbitals in actinide-ligand bonding in UCl(6)(2-). For the MCl(6)(2-), where transitions into d orbitals of t(2g) symmetry are spectroscopically resolved for all four complexes, the experimentally determined Cl 3p character per M-Cl bond increases from 8.3(4)% (TiCl(6)(2-)) to 10.3(5)% (ZrCl(6)(2-)), 12(1)% (HfCl(6)(2-)), and 18(1)% (UCl(6)(2-)). Chlorine K-edge XAS spectra of UOCl(5)(-) provide additional insights into the transition assignments by lowering the symmetry to C(4v), where five pre-edge transitions into both 5f and 6d orbitals are observed. For UCl(6)(2-), the XAS data suggest that orbital mixing associated with the U 5f orbitals is considerably lower than that of the U 6d orbitals. For both UCl(6)(2-) and UOCl(5)(-), the ground-state DFT calculations predict a larger 5f contribution to bonding than is determined experimentally. These findings are discussed in the context of conventional theories of covalent bonding for d- and f-block metal complexes.

Excitons at the (001) surface of anatase: Spatial behavior and optical signatures

Within an ab initio study, based on the application of Many-Body Perturbation Theory approaches on top of ground-state Density Functional Theory calculations, we study the optical behavior of the TiO2 anatase (001) surface. We focus on the (1 × 1) and the (1 × 4) reconstructions, both experimentally observed, which reveal a different optical response and an anisotropy, in the (001) plane, not present in the bulk phase. The determination of the spatial behavior of the electron-hole photoexcited couple provides a possible explanation of the observed enhanced photocatalytic activity of TiO2 anatase nanostructures with a high percentage of (001)-(1 × 1) exposed facets.

Model Hamiltonian for the interaction of NO with the Au(111) surface

We have constructed a model Hamiltonian to describe the interaction of a nitric oxide (NO) molecule with a Au(111) surface. The diagonal elements of the 2x2 Hamiltonian matrix represent the diabatic potential energy surfaces corresponding to the neutral and negative-ion states of the molecule. A position-dependent off-diagonal element controls the extent of mixing of the two diabatic states. The parameters of the Hamiltonian matrix were determined from ground-state density functional theory calculations, both in the absence and presence of a small applied electric field to perturb the extent of charge transfer to the molecule. The resulting model Hamiltonian satisfactorily reproduces the ab initio results, and scattering simulations of the incident translational energy dependence of trapping probability and final rotational energy of NO agree quite well with experiment. The explicit incorporation of neutral and ionic configurations should serve as a realistic and practical platform for elucidating the importance of charge transfer and nonadiabatic effects at metal surfaces, as well as provide a useful testing ground for the development of theories of nonadiabatic dynamics.

Optical to UV spectra and birefringence ofSiO2andTiO2: First-principles calculations with excitonic effects

A first-principles approach is presented for calculations of optical, ultraviolet spectra including excitonic effects. The approach is based on Bethe-Salpeter equation calculations using the NBSE code combined with ground-state density-functional theory calculations from the electronic structure code ABINIT. Test calculations for bulk Si are presented, and the approach is illustrated with calculations of the optical spectra and birefringence of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-phase ${\text{SiO}}_{2}$ and the rutile and anatase phases of ${\text{TiO}}_{2}$. An interpretation of the strong birefringence in ${\text{TiO}}_{2}$ is presented.

Electronic structure properties of fluorene-phenylene monomer and its derivatives: TD-DFT study

Fluorene-phenylene (FP) based oligomers and polymers and their derivatives are good candidates for organic blue-light emitting diodes. In this work, the intrinsic properties of the ground and excited states of FP monomer and its derivatives are studied. The ground state optimized structures and energies were obtained using the molecular orbital theory at a restricted (closed-shell) Hartree–Fock level (RHF) and the density functional theory (DFT) as approximated by the various hybrid functionals (RB3LYP, RB3P86, RB3PW91, RMPW1PW91). The ground state potential energy curves or surfaces of FP and its derivatives were obtained using RHF. All derivatives are nonplanar in their electronic ground states. The character and energy of the first 20 singlet–singlet electronic transitions have been investigated by applying the time-dependent DFT approximations, TD-B3LYP, TD-B3P86, TD-B3PW91 and TD-MPW1PW91, to the correspondingly optimized ground state geometries. The lowest singlet state was also studied with the configuration interaction (singles) approach (CIS). For each monomer, the S 1←S 0 electronic transition involves primarily the promotion of an electron from the HOMO to the LUMO, and is strongly polarized along the monomer backbone. Excitation energies are red shifted when side chains are attached to the basic FP unit or when the unit is extended longitudinally. Similar shifts are observed in the HOMO–LUMO gaps as obtained from the ground state DFT calculations. CIS results suggest geometry relaxation in the first singlet excited state. Comparisons between the different theoretical methodologies used to study the electronic ground and excited states are made and discussed.

The role of relativity in the optical response of gold within the time-dependent current-density-functional theory

We included relativistic effects in the formulation of the time-dependent current-density-functional theory for the calculation of linear response properties of metals [P. Romaniello and P. L. de Boeij, Phys. Rev. B (to be published)]. We treat the dominant scalar-relativistic effects using the zeroth-order regular approximation in the ground-state density-functional theory calculations, as well as in the time-dependent response calculations. The results for the dielectric function of gold calculated in the spectral range of 0-10 eV are compared with experimental data reported in literature and recent ellipsometric measurements. As well known, relativistic effects strongly influence the color of gold. We find that the onset of interband transitions is shifted from around 3.5 eV, obtained in a nonrelativistic calculation, to around 1.9 eV when relativity is included. With the inclusion of the scalar-relativistic effects there is an overall improvement of both real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function over the nonrelativistic ones. Nevertheless some important features in the absorption spectrum are not well reproduced, but can be explained in terms of spin-orbit coupling effects. The remaining deviations are attributed to the underestimation of the interband gap (5d-6sp band gap) in the local-density approximation and to the use of the adiabatic local-density approximation in the response calculation.

Electron energy-loss spectroscopy of the OKedge ofNbO2,MoO2, andWO2

Experimental high-energy transmission electron energy-loss absorption spectra from the oxygen $K$ edges of ${\mathrm{NbO}}_{2},\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{MoO}}_{2}$, and ${\mathrm{WO}}_{2}$ are compared with electronic structure calculations for the relevant empty states, based on the linear augmented plane wave (plus local orbital) method, in the local density approximation. These are also compared with calculations for an idealized rutile structure. The agreement of these ground-state density functional theory calculations (without core-hole effects) for these transition metal dioxides at our resolution of about 1 eV is excellent, and shows in each case an underlying structure consisting of five main peaks, despite differences in local atomic and electronic structure. We find also that shoulderlike features on an ${e}_{g}$ peak can be related to structural distortions induced by the formation of metal-metal bonds.

Finite-basis-set implementation of subspace density-functional theory for excited states

The aim of this paper is to study the peculiarities arising in a finite-basis-set implementation of the subspace density-functional theory (SDFT) for the excited states of molecules. The accuracy of different basis-set calculations is discussed within the framework of the local-density approximation. Small basis sets with adjustable parameters, optimized for each subspace energy, were found to provide a balanced description of states. On the contrary, basis sets adjusted to the ground state yield a poor approximation for the excited states. For the molecules under consideration $({\mathrm{H}}_{2},$ HeH, and LiH), the SDFT accuracy for excited states compares well with ground-state density-functional theory calculations. Despite the limited basis set used the excitation energies calculated are in agreement with the more accurate ones obtained within the wave-function formalism by the configuration interaction methods.

Relativistic effects on the optical response of InSb by time-dependent density-functional theory

In this paper we show how relativistic effects can be included in the time-dependent density-functional theory (DFT) for the optical response properties of nonmetallic crystals. The dominant scalar relativistic effects have been included using the zeroth-order regular approximation (ZORA) in the ground-state DFT calculations, as well as in the time-dependent response calculations. We show that this theory can also be applied to indium antimonide in the zinc-blende structure, notwithstanding the fact that it turns into a semimetal when scalar relativistic effects are included. Results are given for the band structure, the static dielectric constant ε∞ and the dielectric function ε(ω), for the various levels on which relativity can be included, i.e., nonrelativistic, only in the ground-state, or also in the response calculation. Comparisons of our calculated results are made with experiment and other theoretical investigations. With the inclusion of scalar relativistic effects, the band structure of InSb becomes semimetallic within the local density approximation and we find a deviation of 5% from experiment for the static dielectric constant. Also the dielectric function is improved and the spectra are in good agreement with experiment, although the spectral features are shifted to somewhat lower energies compared to experiment.