含空位I型锡基笼合物A8Sn442的结构及能带研究

Investigation on structural and electronic properties of vacancy-containing type-I tin-based clathrates A8Sn442

  • 摘要: 基于密度泛函理论(local density approximation, LDA),研究了含空位I型锡基笼合物A8Sn442(A=K、Rb、Cs及混合碱金属原子)的电子结构及其调控机制。计算结果表明,空位优先占据Wyckoff 6c晶位,能显著提升材料的结构稳定性。未填充碱金属的Sn442骨架呈现p型简并半导体特性,其赝带隙约为0.4 eV,空位诱导的悬挂键态主导费米能级附近的电子行为。引入碱金属客体原子后,通过电荷转移饱和缺陷态,材料从简并半导体转变为窄带隙半导体,且所有体系均符合刚带模型(rigid band model, RBM)。研究发现,相较于K原子,Cs原子具有更高的电荷转移能力,可将Sn—Sn键长压缩至0.276 nm,从而增强键合强度并微调晶格参数。热电输运计算表明,材料表现出显著的各向异性,Cs8Sn442在p型掺杂下具有较高的塞贝克系数(约180 μV·K−1)和可观的电导率,展现出优化功率因子的潜力。研究揭示了空位与客体原子的协同作用机制,为设计低热导率、可调带隙的声子玻璃-电子晶体(PGEC)热电材料提供了理论支持。

     

    Abstract: Density functional theory (DFT) calculations within the LDA framework were utilized to examine the electronic structure and tuning mechanisms of vacancy-containing Type-I tin-based clathrates A8Sn442 (A = K, Rb, Cs, or mixed alkali atoms). The computational results indicate that vacancies preferentially occupy the Wyckoff 6c crystallographic sites, thereby enhancing material stability significantly. The unfilled Sn442 framework demonstrates characteristics of a p-type degenerate semiconductor, with a pseudo-bandgap of approximately 0.4 eV. Dangling-bond states induced by the vacancies dominate the electronic behavior near the Fermi level. Upon incorporating alkali metal guest atoms, charge transfer saturates these defect states, resulting in a transition from a degenerate semiconductor to a narrow-bandgap semiconductor. All clathrate compounds analyzed conform to the RBM. The study reveals that Cs atoms, rather than K counterparts, exhibit a higher charge transfer capability, compressing Sn—Sn bond lengths to 0.276 nm. Such compression enhances bond strength and facilitates fine-tuning of lattice parameters. Boltzmann transport calculations further demonstrate anisotropic electronic transport properties. Notably, Cs8Sn442 exhibits a high Seebeck coefficient (~180 μV·K−1) and substantial electrical conductivity under p-type doping conditions, indicating its potential for achieving a high power factor. This research elucidates the collaborative mechanism between vacancies and guest atoms, aiding researchers in designing PGEC (phonon glass-electron crystal) thermoelectric materials with low thermal conductivity and tunable bandgaps.

     

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