The half-metallic predictions of M (M = Y, Zr, Nb)–Sc–Sn diluted ternary alloys via GGA and GGA + mBJ


Özdemir E. G.

EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL B, vol.95, pp.129-143, 2022 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 95
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1140/epjb/s10051-022-00388-9
  • Journal Name: EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL B
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Chemical Abstracts Core, Compendex, INSPEC, zbMATH
  • Page Numbers: pp.129-143
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The ab initio investigations of Mx (M = Y, Zr, Nb)–Sc1-x –Sn diluted ternary alloys were calculated for x = 0.25, 0.125, and 0.0625 ratios in GGA and GGA + mBJ methods. Half-metallic band gaps were observed in the spin-up electron states. Only the spin-up electrons of the Nb0.25Sc0.75Sn alloy cut the Fermi energy level and reduced the spin polarization amount to 75.24%. Band gap values were also obtained in both GGA and GGA + mBJ methods. When the GGA + mBJ method was used, an increase was observed in the half-metallic characters of the alloys. Therefore, all the alloys were obtained as true half-metallic ferromagnetic materials. Total magnetic moment values were obtained as 4.00 µB/f.u. in all ratios of Y–Sc–Sn alloys. Since Y and Sc are in the same period, this result is expected for half-metallic alloys. While the total magnetic moment was 3.00 µB/f.u. for the 0.25 ratio in the Zr–Sc–Sn alloy, it was obtained as 3.50 µB/f.u. and 3.75 µB/f.u. for the 0.125 and 0.0625 ratios, respectively. While the total magnetic moment of the Nb0.25Sc0.75Sn alloy was obtained as 1.923 µB/f.u., the magnetic moment values increased to 3.00 µB/f.u. and 3.50 µB/f.u., respectively, when the amount of Sc increased. In short, considering both their electronic and magnetic properties, Mx (M = Y, Zr, Nb)-Sc1-x-Sn ternary alloys are quite suitable for spintronic applications.