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Title: Structural search for stable Mg–Ca alloys accelerated with a neural network interatomic model

Journal Article · · Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. PCCP
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/c8cp05314f · OSTI ID:1594861
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2];  [3]; ORCiD logo [4];  [2]; ORCiD logo [5]
  1. West Virginia Univ., Morgantown, WV (United States); Benemérita Autonomous Univ. of Puebla (BUAP) (Mexico); West Virginia University
  2. State Univ. of New York (SUNY), Binghamton, NY (United States)
  3. West Virginia Univ., Morgantown, WV (United States)
  4. Benemérita Autonomous Univ. of Puebla (BUAP) (Mexico)
  5. West Virginia Univ., Morgantown, WV (United States); Benemérita Autonomous Univ. of Puebla (BUAP) (Mexico)

Here, we have combined a neural network formalism with metaheuristic structural global search algorithms to systematically screen the Mg–Ca binary system for new (meta)stable alloys. The combination of these methods allows for an efficient exploration of the potential energy surface beyond the possibility of the traditional searches based on ab initio energy evaluations. The identified pool of low-enthalpy structures was complemented with special quasirandom structures (SQS) at different stoichiometries. In addition to the only Mg–Ca phase known to form under standard synthesis conditions, C14-Mg2Ca, the search has uncovered several candidate materials that could be synthesized under elevated temperatures or pressures. We demonstrate that the vibrational entropy lowers the relative free energy of several phases with magnesium kagome layers: C15 and C36 Laves structures at the 2:1 composition and an orthorhombic oS36 structure at the 7:2 composition. The estimated phase transition temperatures close to the melting point leave open the possibility of synthesizing the predicted materials at high temperatures. At high pressures up to 10 GPa, two new phases at the 1:1 and 3:1 Mg:Ca stoichiometries become thermodynamically stable and should form in multi-anvil experiments.

Research Organization:
West Virginia Univ., Morgantown, WV (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0016176
OSTI ID:
1594861
Journal Information:
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. PCCP, Journal Name: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. PCCP Journal Issue: 43 Vol. 20; ISSN 1463-9076; ISSN PPCPFQ
Publisher:
Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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