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A DFT study on structural, vibrational properties, and quasiparticle band structure of solid nitromethane
S Appalakondaiah1, G Vaitheeswaran, S Lebègue
1Advanced Centre of Research in High Energy Materials (ACRHEM), University of Hyderabad, Prof. C. R. Rao Road, Gachibowli, Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad 500 046, India.
This study details the structural and vibrational properties of solid nitromethane using density functional calculations. It reveals a phase transition around 10-12 GPa and provides insights into its electronic and optical properties.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Materials science
- Computational chemistry
Background:
- Solid nitromethane's properties are crucial for understanding energetic materials.
- Previous studies have explored its behavior, but a comprehensive theoretical investigation under pressure is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a detailed theoretical study of the structural, vibrational, electronic, and optical properties of solid nitromethane.
- To investigate the pressure-induced phase transition and material behavior.
Main Methods:
- First-principles density functional calculations.
- Plane wave pseudopotential code with LDA, GGA, and dispersion corrections.
- G0W0 approximation for quasiparticle band structure.
Main Results:
- Calculated equilibrium properties agree well with experimental data.
- Identified a structural transition from phase I to phase II between 10-12 GPa.
- Predicted elastic constants, bulk modulus, and vibrational frequencies, noting softening of lattice modes.
- Determined nitromethane to be an indirect band gap insulator (7.8 eV) and analyzed its optical properties, revealing anisotropy.
Conclusions:
- The theoretical model accurately reproduces experimental trends for solid nitromethane.
- The study elucidates the pressure-induced phase transition mechanism and provides a comprehensive understanding of nitromethane's properties.
- The findings are valuable for the design and application of nitromethane-based materials.
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