Electronic, structural and magnetic studies of niobium borides of group 8 transition metals, Nb{sub 2}MB{sub 2} (M=Fe, Ru, Os) from first principles calculations

Journal Article · Sat Mar 15 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSSC.2013.10.013· OSTI ID:22275870

Touzani, Rachid St.

The Nb{sub 2}FeB{sub 2} phase (U{sub 3}Si{sub 2}-type, space group P4/mbm, no. 127) is known for almost 50 years, but until now its magnetic properties have not been investigated. While the synthesis of Nb{sub 2}OsB{sub 2} (space group P4/mnc, no. 128, a twofold superstructure of U{sub 3}Si{sub 2}-type) with distorted Nb-layers and Os{sub 2}-dumbbells was recently achieved, “Nb{sub 2}RuB{sub 2}” is still not synthesized and its crystal structure is yet to be revealed. Our first principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations have confirmed not only the experimental structures of Nb{sub 2}FeB{sub 2} and Nb{sub 2}OsB{sub 2}, but also predict “Nb{sub 2}RuB{sub 2}” to crystalize with the Nb{sub 2}OsB{sub 2} structure type. According to chemical bonding analysis, the homoatomic B–B interactions are optimized and very strong, but relatively strong heteroatomic M–B, B–Nb and M–Nb bonds (M=Fe, Ru, Os) are also found. These interactions, which together build a three-dimensional network, are mainly responsible for the structural stability of these ternary borides. The density-of-states at the Fermi level predicts metallic behavior, as expected, from metal-rich borides. Analysis of possible magnetic structures concluded preferred antiferromagnetic ordering for Nb{sub 2}FeB{sub 2}, originating from ferromagnetic interactions within iron chains and antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between them. -- Graphical abstract: Nb{sub 2}FeB{sub 2} (U{sub 3}Si{sub 2} structure type, space group P4/mbm, no. 127) is predicted to order antiferromagnetically, due to the presence of iron chains which show ferromagnetic interactions in the chains and antiferromagnetic interactions between them. “Nb{sub 2}RuB{sub 2}” is predicted to crystallize with the recently discovered Nb{sub 2}OsB{sub 2} twofold superstructure (space group P4/mnc, no. 128) of U{sub 3}Si{sub 2} structure type. The building of ruthenium dumbbells instead of chains along [001] is found to be responsible for the stabilization of this superstructure. Highlights: • Nb{sub 2}FeB{sub 2} is predicted to order antiferromagnetically. • Ferromagnetic interactions found in iron chains and antiferromagnetic ones between them. • Unknown “Nb{sub 2}RuB{sub 2}” predicted to crystallize with a twofold U{sub 3}Si{sub 2} superstructure. • Puckering of Nb-layer and Ru-dumbbell formation responsible for superstructure occurrence.

• OSTI ID: 22275870
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 211, Issue Complete; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ANTIFERROMAGNETISM
CHEMICAL BONDS
CRYSTALS
DENSITY
DENSITY FUNCTIONAL METHOD
EXCHANGE INTERACTIONS
FERMI LEVEL
IRON
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
NIOBIUM BORIDES
RUTHENIUM
SPACE GROUPS
STABILITY
STABILIZATION
SYNTHESIS
TETRAGONAL LATTICES
URANIUM SILICIDES