arXiv subjects

Wojciech Grochala

Publications and source records attributed to Wojciech Grochala.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Huge hole injection in tungsten dichalcogenide heterostructures without electric gating: a DFT study

Van der Waals heterostructures based on transition metal dichalcogenides, TMDs, provide a versatile platform for tailoring electronic properties through interlayer charge transfer, CT. Precise control of CT is essential because it directly determines the electronic structure and carrier concentration in atomically thin materials. Recently, the concept of a chemical capacitor has been proposed as a route to achieving exceptionally high carrier densities through CT across insulating separator layers. Here, we extend this concept to van der Waals heterostructures by investigating TMD hBN OX, oxidizer, systems using density functional theory, DFT. Following the screening of candidate TMDs and electron acceptors, XeF2 and KrF2 were identified as suitable acceptors exhibiting type III broken gap band alignment with WS2 and WSe2, respectively. Periodic DFT calculations of large supercells reveal CT corresponding to hole concentrations of up to 0.23 h+ and 0.35 h+ per W atom in WS2 hBN XeF2 and WSe2 hBN KrF2 heterostructures, respectively. The resulting charge redistribution demonstrates that noble gas fluorides provide an efficient route for noncontact engineering of carrier density in TMD heterostructures, offering a new strategy for tuning correlated electronic phases in two dimensional materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Superconductivity in MgHCu3 perovskite revisited

We reexamine the crystal structure, electronic structure, lattice dynamics, phonon dispersion, electron-phonon coupling, and superconducting properties of MgHCu3 perovskite using the PBEsol and PBE functionals. This perovskite phase was recently proposed to exhibit superconductivity with the critical superconducting temperature, TC, of 42 K, which falls slightly over the classical 40 K limit for the phonon driven superconductivity. We show that although the crystal and electronic structure of this hypothetical compound are quite robust with respect to the k point mesh and functional used, yet the phonons and phonon related properties are extremely sensitive to the density of the grid chosen as well as functional used for calculations. Correspondingly, the values of the critical superconducting temperature calculated here for different Gaussian broadenings vary in a broad range of ca. 10 to 31 K and they do not exceed the classical limit. We suggest that the properties of this and many other high TC hydrides claimed should be thoroughly scrutinized using a variety of functionals, and benchmarked with experiment, to provide more reliable values of TC.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2026

Theoretical exploration of Be Ag(II) F phases and their magnetic properties using learning algorithms

The search for novel silver(II) fluorides is driven by their potential as electronic and magnetic analogues to high temperature cuprate(II) superconductor precursors. Here, we explore the previously uncharted Be Ag(II) F chemical space using global structure prediction algorithms combined with first principles calculations. Focusing on the AgBeF4 stoichiometry, we identify the five lowest enthalpy polymorphs crystallizing in the C2, P minus 1, and P 21/c space groups. All polymorphs show an antiferromagnetic ground state, with AgBeF4_4 and AgBeF4_5 exhibiting unprecedented strong superexchange interactions of J equal circa to minus 460meV and J equal circa to minus 359meV respectively. Those high J values are due to the presence of either [Ag2F7] for AgBeF4_4, or related infinite [AgF2/2+2/1]2 minus chains for AgBeF4_5. Although the phases are found to be metastable with respect to binary difluorides, the thermodynamic analysis suggests that they could be targeted via synthetic routes employing fluorine radicals, with reaction enthalpies reaching minus 370 kJ/mol.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Evaluating covalency using RIXS spectral weights: Silver fluorides vs. cuprates

We investigate the electronic structure of AgF2, AgFBF4, AgF and Ag2O using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) at the Ag L3 edge. XAS results were compared with density functional theory computations of the spectra, allowing an identification of main features and an assessment of the theoretical approximations. Our RIXS measurements reveal that AgF2 exhibits charge transfer excitations and dd excitations, analogous to those observed in La2CuO4. We propose to use the ratio of dd to CT spectral weight as a measure of the covalence of the compounds and provide explicit equations for the weights as a function of the scattering geometry for crystals and powders. The measurements at the metal site L3 edge and previous measurements at the ligand K edge reveal a striking similarity between the fluorides and cuprates materials, with fluorides somewhat more covalent than cuprates. These findings support the hypothesis that silver fluorides are an excellent platform to mimic the physics of cuprates, providing a promising avenue for exploring high-Tc superconductivity and exotic magnetism in quasi-two-dimensional (AgF2) and quasi-one-dimensional (AgFBF4) materials.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Prediction of Novel Li-AgII-F Compounds using Evolutionary Algorithms

This work provides a theoretical exploration of the thermodynamic stability and magnetic behaviour of previously unknown ternary Li AgII F compounds. Convex-hull analysis shows that all predicted structures lie slightly above the LiF plus AgF2 decomposition line, indicating a natural tendency toward phase separation; nevertheless, their negative formation energies relative to AgF, LiF, and F2 or F suggest that alternative synthetic pathways may be feasible for these compounds. All studied structures show preference for antiferromagnetic ground state. Notably, the triclinic LiAgF3 type2 is predicted to exhibit an exceptionally large superexchange constant, J equal to minus 358 meV, within Ag2F7 dimers, placing it above the strongest known magnetic exchange interactions reported to date.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Chemical capacitor: its concept, functionalities and limits

We use density functional theory calculations to study simple but diverse stoichiometries within the novel chemical capacitor (CC) setup. We look at main effects occurring in this device, extremes of the physicochemical properties, and we study limits of applicability of this nano-object. In the cases studied, CC permits achieving charge transfer of up to 1.74 e per atom. Tuning of the charge transfer may be achieved via judicious choice of chemical constituents of the CC as well as use of a ferroelectric material as a separator layer. Different classes of chemical systems may be doped, including metallic and nonmetallic elements, and chemical compounds, in certain cases leading to the appearance of superconductivity.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Magnetic interactions as a pivotal determinant in stabilizing a novel AgIIAgIIIF5 polymorph with high spin AgIII

Based on theoretical calculations, we introduce a new AgIIAgIIIF5 monoclinic polymorph with a rare high spin AgIII. Our analysis of the experimental xray diffraction data available in the literature reveals that this polymorph was likely prepared in the past in a mixture with the triclinic form of the same compound. Theoretical calculations reproduce very well the lattice parameters of both forms. Calculations suggest that under ambient conditions, the monoclinic form is the more energetically stable phase of Ag2F5. We predict a strong one-dimensional antiferromagnetic superexchange between silver cations of different valences with superexchange constant of minus 207 meV (hybrid functional result). The polymorph with high spin AgIII owes its stability over the one with low spin AgIII, to these magnetic interactions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Theoretical limits of electron and hole doping in single layer graphene from DFT calculations

Density functional theory calculations suggest a pronounced hole electron doping asymmetry in a single layer graphene. It turns out that a single graphene sheet can sustain doping levels up to 0.1 holes or up to a remarkably large 1.9 electrons per atom while maintaining dynamical [phonon] stability. Estimates of the superconducting critical temperature in the electron doped regime based on McMillans formula reveal two local maxima in the function of doping level which correlate with the local maxima of the electron phonon coupling constant.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2025

Ternary nickel hydrides: a new platform for unconventional superconductivity and quantum magnetism

In this letter, we propose ternary nickel hydrides MNiH2 (M = Li, Na) as new materials that mimic cuprate physics but have important differences and interesting properties. Ni-H bands are wider than in oxides due to shorter bond lengths and covalency is larger than in Ni oxides which leads to a large scale of magnetic interactions. The charge transfer energy is smaller than in LaNiO2 which in cuprates translates to a larger Tc. We notice the formation of the electride band close to the Fermi surface which appears due to H vacancy along the c lattice vector. The considerable difference with cuprates arises from dz2 orbitals hybridization with interstitial orbitals allowing charge transfer to an apical vacancy state and self-doping the cuprate like Ni dx2-y2 H s antibonding bands which suggests that stoichiometric NaNiH2 may already be metallic and superconducting.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

How orbitals and oxidation states determine apparent topographies in scanning tunneling microscopy: the case of fluorine on silver surfaces

We use density functional theory calculations to characterize the early stages of fluorination of silver's (100) and (110) surfaces. In the Ag(100) surface, the hollow site is the most favorable for F adatoms. In the Ag(110) surface, three adsorption sites, namely hollow, long bridge, and short bridge, exhibit similar energies. These locations are also more favorable than an F adatom occupying a vacancy site irrespectively of whether the vacancy was present or not in the pristine surface. The computed energy as a function of surface coverage is used to compute the equilibrium thermodynamics phase diagram. We argue that for the typical pressure and temperature of fluorination experiments, the state of the surface is not determined by thermodynamics but by kinetics. Combining these results with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) topographic simulations, we propose assignments to features observed experimentally. We present a minimal model of the apparent topography of adatoms in different locations in terms of hydrogenic orbitals, explaining the observed trends. The model links the STM apparent topography to structural information and the oxidation states of the Ag atoms near the adatom.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Controlling Orbital Ordering of Intergrowth Structures with Flat [Ag(II)F2] Layers to Mimic Oxocuprates(II)

Based on the Density Functional Theory calculations, we propose a new pathway toward compounds featuring flat [AgF2] layers which mimic [CuO2] layers in high-temperature oxocuprate superconductor precursors. Calculations predict the dynamic (phonon) and energetic stability of the new phases over diverse substrates. For some compounds with ferro orbital ordering, we find a gigantic intrasheet superexchange constant of up to minus 211 meV (DFT+U) and minus 256 meV (SCAN), calculated for hypothetical (CsMgF3)2KAgF3 intergrowth. Semiempirical calculations show that at optimum doping, the expected superconducting critical temperature should reach 200 K. The partial substitution of K+ with Ba2+ leads to noticeable electron doping of [AgF2] sublattice, as revealed by progressive population of the Upper-Hubbard band. On the other hand, modest 10 to 15% hole-doping through partial substitution of Mg2+ with Li+, primarily leads to the depopulation of p(z) orbitals of apical F atoms. We also find structures with an undesired antiferrodistortive structural ordering and discuss the structural factors that determine the transition from buckled to flat planes and from different types of orbital ordering using Landau theory of phase transitions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Electron-overdoped Ag(II)F2: mixed-valence fluorides Ag(I)Ag(II)F3 and Ag(I)2Ag(II)F4

We have successfully prepared two novel mixed-valence compounds of silver, Ag(I)Ag(II)F3 and Ag(I)2Ag(II)F4. They may be considered to be long-sought strongly electron-overdoped Ag(II)F2. Their crystal structures indicate that both belong to the Class I (mixed-valence) family with frozen Ag(I) and Ag(II) valences. The measured Raman spectra are well-correlated with the theoretical ones. Density functional theory calculations reveal their smaller fundamental band gaps as compared to pristine AgF2, due to the presence of Ag(I) states in the valence band.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Novel Ternary AgIICoIIIF5 Fluoride: Synthesis, Structure and Magnetic Characteristics

We present a new compound in the silver cobalt fluoride system, featuring paramagnetic silver (d9) and high-spin cobalt (d6), synthesized by solid state method in an autoclave under F2 overpressure. Based on powder X ray diffraction, we determined that AgIICoIIIF5 crystallizes in a monoclinic system with space group C2/c. The calculated fundamental band gap falls in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the compound has the character of charge-transfer insulator. AgCoF5 is a ferrimagnet with one predominant superexchange magnetic interaction constant between mixed spin cations (Ag ... Co) of minus 62 meV (SCAN result). Magnetometric measurements conducted on a powdered sample allowed the identification of a transition at 128 K, which could indicate magnetic ordering.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Rearrangement of orbitals in KAgF3 due to Kugel-Khomskii mechanism: a Neutron diffraction and Density Functional Theory study

The crystal structure of KAgF3 was studied by powder neutron diffraction. KAgF3 exhibits at all temperatures an orthorhombic symmetry in space group Pnma that allows for several distortions with respect to the ideal cubic perovskite structure. At all temperatures there is a strong splitting of Ag-F distances parallel to the a,c planes that documents alternating occupation of holes in x2-y2 and z2-y2 orbitals. The orientation of the octahedron elongation and thereby the orbital order flips at a structural phase transition occurring around Ts=240K which is accompanied by a suppression of magnetic susceptibility. The orbital ordering is further enhanced in the low-temperature phase and the twisting of the AgF4 plaquettes forming the antiferromagnetic chains changes. DFT calculations show an enhancement of the magnetic interaction in the low temperature phase indicating that the transition and the orbital order are partially driven by the Kugel-Khomskii mechanism.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

BCS superconductivity in ionic hydrides using chemical capacitor setup

We apply a novel chemical capacitor setup to facilitate metallization of ionic hydrides, LiH and MgH2. It turns out that the amount of holes doped to a single layer of these materials may reach 0.72 per H atom without structure collapse; concomitant maximum TC values exceed 17 K in the absence of external pressure for 0.31-hole-doped LiH supported on the LiBaF3 perovskite.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

Polymorphism of two-dimensional antiferromagnets, AgF2 and CuF2

We present theoretical study of relative stability as well as of the magnetic and electronic properties of AgF2 and CuF2, in two related structural forms: orthorhombic (ambient pressure form of AgF2) and monoclinic (ambient pressure form of CuF2), using Density Functional Theory. We show, that at P21/c --> Pbca structural transition is associated with weakening of intra-sheet magnetic superexchange. This finding is consistent with the flattening of 2D layers, smaller charge-transfer energy and stronger admixing of Agd/Cud-Fp states in monoclinic structure, comparing to orthorhombic form. Consequently, monoclinic AgF2 should be targeted in experiment as it should show stronger magnetic coupling than its orthorhombic sibling. The dynamically stable P21/c form of AgF2 could be achieved via two alternative paths: by applied negative strain, or by rapid quenching silver(II) difluoride from temperatures higher than 480 K to low temperatures.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

A unique two-dimensional silver(II) antiferromagnet Cu[Ag(SO4)2] and perspectives for its further modifications

Copper(II) silver(II) sulfate crystallizes in a monoclinic CuSO4-related structure with P21/n symmetry. This quasi-ternary compound features [Ag(SO4)2]2- layers, while the remaining cationic sites may be occupied either completely or partially by Cu2+ cations, corresponding to the formula of (CuxAg1-x)[Ag(SO4)2], x = 0.6-1.0. CuAg(SO4)2 is antiferromagnetic with large negative Curie-Weiss temperature of -84.1 K and shows two characteristic ordering phenomena at 19 K and 40 K. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the strongest superexchange interaction is a two-dimensional antiferromagnetic coupling within [Ag(SO4)2]2- layers, with the superexchange constant J2D of -11.1 meV. This renders CuAg(SO4)2 the rare representative of layered Ag2+-based antiferromagnets. Magnetic coupling is facilitated by the strong mixing of Ag d(x2-y2) and O 2p states. Calculations show that M2+ sites in MAg(SO4)2 can be occupied with other similar cations such as Zn2+, Cd2+, Ni2+, Co2+, and Mg2+.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

Limits of stability for compounds of pentavalent praseodymium

Eleven possible candidates for compounds of pentavalent praseodymium were investigated with relativistic density functional theory using the B3LYP functional with ZORA scalar relativistic correction and including spin orbit coupling effects. Two of those candidates had previously been synthesized and another two of them were previously theoretically predicted. Three new species were proposed here as possible candidates for the compounds of Pr in its fifth oxidation state: PrF4+, PrO2F2- and PrOF2+. The main technical obstacle in synthesizing these ions is their high reactivity due to large electron affinity; decomposition via bimolecular reaction pathways and low energy of excitation to the triplet state constitute other stability limiting factors.

physics.chem-ph↗