Dense Low-Coordination Phases of Lithium

作者:Pickard Chris J*; Needs R J
来源:Physical Review Letters, 2009, 102(14): 146401.
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.146401

摘要

Ab initio density-functional-theory calculations and a structure-searching technique are used to identify candidate high-pressure phases of lithium (Li). We predict threefold coordinated structures to be stable in the pressure range 40-450 GPa and fourfold structures at higher pressures. We describe these low-coordination phases as elemental electrides. All of the stable phases are metallic but the Cmca-24 structure, and two distortions of it which are marginally the most stable in the pressure range 86-106 GPa, are nearly semiconducting with densities of electronic states at the Fermi energy of only a few percent of the free-electron value.

  • 出版日期2009-4-10