We have carried out first-principles calculations to explore the energetics and dynamics of Li in graphdiyne monolayers. The porous structure of graphdiyne enables both in-plane and out-plane diffusion of Li ions with moderate barriers, 0.35–0.52 eV. A unique Li occupation pattern named as a triangular pattern is identified, with Li atoms occupying three symmetric sites in the triangular-like pores. Based on this occupation pattern, the Li storage capacity of single-layer graphdiyne can be as high as LiC3, which is twice the capacity of commonly used graphite (LiC6). With high Li mobility and high storage capacity, this experimentally available porous carbon material is expected to find applications in efficient lithium storage.

Graphdiyne, consisting of sp- and sp(2)-hybridized carbon atoms, is a new member of carbon allotropes which has a natural band gap ~1.0 eV. Here, we report our first-principles calculations on the stable configurations and electronic structures of graphdiyne doped with boron-nitrogen (BN) units. We show that BN unit prefers to replace the sp-hybridized carbon atoms in the chain at a low doping rate, forming linear BN atomic chains between carbon hexagons. At a high doping rate, BN units replace first the carbon atoms in the hexagons and then those in the chains. A comparison study indicates that these substitution reactions may be easier to occur than those on graphene which composes purely of sp(2)-hybridized carbon atoms. With the increase of BN component, the band gap increases first gradually and then abruptly, corresponding to the transition between the two substitution motifs. The direct-band gap feature is intact in these BN-doped graphdiyne regardless the doping rate. A simple tight-binding model is proposed to interpret the origin of the band gap opening behaviors. Such wide-range band gap modification in graphdiyne may find applications in nanoscaled electronic devices and solar cells.

From first-principles calculations, we proposed a silicon germanide (SiGe) analog of silicene. This SiGe monolayer is stable and free from imaginary frequency in the phonon spectrum. The electronic band structure near the Fermi level can be characterized by Dirac cones with the Fermi velocity comparable to that of silicene. The Ge and Si atoms in SiGe monolayer exhibit different tendencies in binding with hydrogen atoms, making sublattice-selective hydrogenation and consequently electron spin-polarization possible.

No abstract

No abstract

Graphyne, consisting of sp- and sp2-hybridized carbon atoms, is a new member of carbon allotropes which has a natural porous structure. Here, we report our first-principles calculations on the possibility of Li-decorated graphyne as a hydrogen storage medium. We predict that Li-doping significantly enhances the hydrogen storage ability of graphyne compared to that of pristine graphyne, which can be attributed to the polarization of H2 molecules induced by the charge transfer from Li atoms to graphyne. The favorite H2 molecules adsorption configurations on a single side and on both sides of a Li-decorated graphyne layer are determined. When Li atoms are adsorbed on one side of graphyne, each Li can bind four H2 molecules, corresponding to a hydrogen storage capacity of 9.26 wt. %. The hydrogen storage capacity can be further improved to 15.15 wt. % as graphyne is decorated by Li atoms on both sides, with an optimal average binding energy of 0.226 eV/H2. The results show that the Li-decorated graphyne can serve as a high capacity hydrogen storage medium.

From first-principles calculations, a novel carbon material with superhardness and metallicity is proposed and a possible endothermic transition is evaluated.

No abstract