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Modeling Disorder in Pyrochlores and Other Anion-Deficient Fluorite Structural Derivative Oxides

Journal Article · · Frontiers in Chemistry

Their very flexible chemistry gives oxide materials a richness in functionality and wide technological application. A specific group of oxides that have a structure related to fluorite but with less oxygen, termed anion-deficient fluorite structural derivatives and with pyrochlores being the most notable example, has been shown to exhibit a diversity of useful properties. For example, the possibility to undergo a transition from an ordered to disordered state allows these oxides to have high radiation tolerance. Atomistic-scale calculations in the form of molecular dynamics (MD) and density functional theory (DFT) have been extensively used to understand what drives this order/disorder transition. Here we give a brief overview of how atomistic-scale calculations are utilized in modeling disorder in pyrochlores and other anion-deficient fluorite structural derivatives. We discuss the modeling process from simple point defects to completely disordered structures, the dynamics during the disordering process, and the use of mathematical models to generate ordered solid-solution configurations. We also attempt to identify the challenges in modeling short range order and discuss future directions to more comprehensive models of the disordered structures.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001
OSTI ID:
1818816
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1820091
Report Number(s):
LA-UR--21-28443; 712543
Journal Information:
Frontiers in Chemistry, Journal Name: Frontiers in Chemistry Vol. 9; ISSN 2296-2646
Publisher:
Frontiers Media SACopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
Switzerland
Language:
English

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