arXiv subjects

C. X. Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to C. X. Zhang.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

Two semiconducting three-dimensional all-sp2 carbon allotropes

Using first-principles method, we investigate the energetic stability, dynamic stability and electronic properties of two three-dimensional (3D) all-sp2 carbon allotropes, sp2-diamond and cubic-graphite. The cubic-graphite was predicted by Michael O'Keeffe in 1992 (Phys. Rev. Lett., 68, 15, 1992.) possessing space group of Pn-3m (224), whereas the sp2-diamond with the space group Fd-3m (227) same as that of diamond has not been reported before. Our results indicate that sp2-diamond is more stable than previously proposed K4-carbon and T-carbon, and cubic-graphite is even more stable than superhard M-carbon, W-carbon and Z-carbon.The calculations on vibrational properties show that both structures are dynamically stable. Interestingly, both sp2-diamond and cubic-graphite behave as semiconductors which are contrary to previously proposed all-sp2 carbon allotropes. The sp2-diamond is a semiconductor with a direct band gap of 1.66 eV, and cubic-graphite is an indirect semiconductor with band gap of 2.89 eV. The very lower densities and entirely sp2 configures of sp2-diamond and cubic-graphite can be potentially applied in hydrogen-storage, photocatalysts and molecular sieves.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2012

First-principles study of a novel superhard boron nitride phase

A superhard boron nitride phase dubbed as Z-BN is proposed as possible intermediate phase between h-BN and zinc blende BN (c-BN), and investigated using first-principles calculations within the framework of the density functional theory. Although the structure of Z-BN is similar to that of bct-BN containing four-eight BN rings, it is more energy favorable than bct-BN. Our study reveals that Z-BN, with a considerable structural stability and high density comparable to c-BN, is a transparent insulator with an indirect band gap about 5.27 eV. Amazingly, its Vickers hardness is 55.88 Gpa which is comparable to that of c-BN. This new BN phase may be produced in experiments through cold compressing AB stacking h-BN due to its low transition pressure point of 3.3 GPa.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2012

New Superhard Carbon Phases Between Graphite and Diamond

Two new carbon allotropes (H-carbon and S-carbon) are proposed, as possible candidates for the intermediate superhard phases between graphite and diamond obtained in the process of cold compressing graphite, based on the results of first-principles calculations. Both H-carbon and S-carbon are more stable than previously proposed M-carbon and W-carbon and their bulk modulus are comparable to that of diamond. H-carbon is an indirect-band-gap semiconductor with a gap of 4.459 eV and S-carbon is a direct-band-gap semiconductor with a gap of 4.343 eV. The transition pressure from cold compressing graphite is 10.08 GPa and 5.93 Gpa for H-carbon and S-carbon, respectively, which is in consistent with the recent experimental report.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2012

Structure, stability and electronic properties of tricycle type graphane

We propose a new allotrope of graphane, named as tricycle graphane,with a 4up/2down UUUDUD hydrogenation in each hexagonal carbon ring,which is different from previously proposed allotropes with UUDUUD(boat-1) and UUUUDD (boat-2) types of hydrogenation. Its stability and electronic structures are systematically studied using first-principles method. We find that the tricycle graphane is a stable phase in between the previously proposed chair and stirrup allotropes. Its electronic properties are very similar to those of chair, stirrup, boat-1, boat-2, and twist-boat allotropes. The negative Gibbs free energy of tricycle graphane is -91 meV/atom, which very close to that of the most stable chair one (-103 meV/atom). Thus, this new two-dimensional hydrocarbon may be produced in the process of graphene hydrogenation with a relative high probability compared to other conformers.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2012

Four superhard carbon allotropes: First-principle study

Using a generalized genetic algorithm, we propose four new sp3 carbon allotropes with 5-6-7 (5-6-7-type Z-ACA and Z-CACB) or 4-6-8(4-6-8-type Z4-A3B1 and A4-A2B2) carbon rings. Their stability, mechanical and electronic properties are systematically studied using first-principles method. We find that all these four carbon allotropes show amazing stability in comparison with recently proposed carbon phases. Both ZACA and Z-CACB are direct-band-gap semiconductors with band gaps of 2.261 eV and 4.196 eV, respectively. Whereas Z4-A3B1 and A4-A2B2 are indirect-band-gap semiconductors with band gaps of 3.105 eV and 3.271 eV, respectively. Their mechanical properties reveal that all these four carbon allotropes are superhard materials comparable to diamond.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗