Interpretable Data-Driven Descriptors for Establishing the Structure-Activity Relationship of Metal-Organic Frameworks Toward Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

The development of readily accessible and interpretable descriptors is pivotal yet challenging in the rational design of metal-organic framework (MOF) catalysts. This study presents a straightforward and physically interpretable activity descriptor for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), derived from a dataset of bimetallic Ni-based MOFs. Through an artificial-intelligence (AI) data-mining subgroup discovery (SGD) approach, a combination of the d-band center and number of missing electrons in e states of Ni, as well as the first ionization energy and number of electrons in e states of the substituents, is revealed as a gene of a superior OER catalyst.

Electronic Properties of ZnVNbN Alloys to Model Novel Materials for Light-Emitting Diodes.

We propose the ZnVNbN alloy as a new promising material for optoelectronic applications, in particular for light-emitting diodes (LEDs). We perform accurate electronic-structure calculations of the alloy for several concentrations using density-functional theory with meta-GGA exchange-correlation functional TB09. The band gap is found to vary between 2.

Shared metadata for data-centric materials science.

The expansive production of data in materials science, their widespread sharing and repurposing requires educated support and stewardship. In order to ensure that this need helps rather than hinders scientific work, the implementation of the FAIR-data principles () must not be too narrow. Besides, the wider materials-science community ought to agree on the strategies to tackle the challenges that are specific to its data, both from computations and experiments.

Statistical analysis of the performance of a variety of first-principles schemes for accurate prediction of binary semiconductor band gaps.

Standard density functional theory (DFT) approximations tend to strongly underestimate band gaps, while the more accurate GW and hybrid functionals are much more computationally demanding and unsuitable for high-throughput screening. In this work, we have performed an extensive benchmark of several approximations with different computational complexity [G0W0@PBEsol, HSE06, PBEsol, modified Becke-Johnson potential (mBJ), DFT-1/2, and ACBN0] to evaluate and compare their performance in predicting the bandgap of semiconductors. The benchmark is based on 114 binary semiconductors of different compositions and crystal structures, for about half of which experimental band gaps are known.

Hierarchical Symbolic Regression for Identifying Key Physical Parameters Correlated with Bulk Properties of Perovskites.

Symbolic regression identifies nonlinear, analytical expressions relating materials properties and key physical parameters. However, the pool of expressions grows rapidly with complexity, compromising its efficiency. We tackle this challenge hierarchically: identified expressions are used as inputs for further obtaining more complex expressions.

Adatom Bonding Sites in a Nickel-Fe O (001) Single-Atom Model Catalyst and O Reactivity Unveiled by Surface Action Spectroscopy with Infrared Free-Electron Laser Light.

Single-atom (SA) catalysis presently receives much attention with its promise to decrease the cost of the active material while increasing the catalyst's performance. However, key details such as the exact location of SA species and their stability are often unclear due to a lack of atomic level information. Here, we show how vibrational spectra measured with surface action spectroscopy (SAS) and density functional theory (DFT) simulations can differentiate between different adatom binding sites and determine the location of Ni and Au single atoms on Fe O (001).

Artificial-intelligence-driven discovery of catalyst genes with application to CO activation on semiconductor oxides.

Catalytic-materials design requires predictive modeling of the interaction between catalyst and reactants. This is challenging due to the complexity and diversity of structure-property relationships across the chemical space. Here, we report a strategy for a rational design of catalytic materials using the artificial intelligence approach (AI) subgroup discovery.

Coherent vibrational dynamics reveals lattice anharmonicity in organic-inorganic halide perovskite nanocrystals.

The halide ions of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites can strongly influence the interaction between the central organic moiety and the inorganic metal halide octahedral units and thus their lattice vibrations. Here, we report the halide-ion-dependent vibrational coherences in formamidinium lead halide (FAPbX, X = Br, I) perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) via the combination of femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. We find that the FAPbX PNCs generate halide-dependent coherent vibronic wave packets upon above-bandgap non-resonant excitation.

Single-atom alloy catalysts designed by first-principles calculations and artificial intelligence.

Single-atom-alloy catalysts (SAACs) have recently become a frontier in catalysis research. Simultaneous optimization of reactants' facile dissociation and a balanced strength of intermediates' binding make them highly efficient catalysts for several industrially important reactions. However, discovery of new SAACs is hindered by lack of fast yet reliable prediction of catalytic properties of the large number of candidates.

Crystallographic Orientation Dependence of Surface Segregation and Alloying on PdCu Catalysts for CO Hydrogenation.

The influence of the crystallographic orientation on surface segregation and alloy formation in model PdCu methanol synthesis catalysts was investigated using near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy under CO hydrogenation conditions. Combined with scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations, the study showed that submonolayers of Pd undergo spontaneous alloy formation on Cu(110) and Cu(100) surfaces in vacuum, whereas they do not form an alloy on Cu(111). Upon heating in H, inward diffusion of Pd into the Cu lattice is favored, facilitating alloying on all Cu surfaces.

First-Principles Atomistic Thermodynamics and Configurational Entropy.

In most applications, functional materials operate at finite temperatures and are in contact with a reservoir of atoms or molecules (gas, liquid, or solid). In order to understand the properties of materials at realistic conditions, statistical effects associated with configurational sampling and particle exchange at finite temperatures must consequently be taken into account. In this contribution, we discuss the main concepts behind equilibrium statistical mechanics.

Surface core level BE shifts for CaO(100): insights into physical origins.

The relationship between the electronic structure of CaO and the binding energy, BE, shifts between surface and bulk atoms is examined and the physical origins of these shifts are established. Furthermore, the contribution of covalent mixing to the interaction, including the energetic importance, is investigated and found to be small. In particular, the small shift between surface and bulk O(1s) BEs is shown to originate from changes in the polarizable charge distribution of surface O anions.

Ni Single Atom Catalysts for CO Activation.

We report on the activation of CO on Ni single-atom catalysts. These catalysts were synthesized using a solid solution approach by controlled substitution of 1-10 atom % of Mg by Ni inside the MgO structure. The Ni atoms are preferentially located on the surface of the MgO and, as predicted by hybrid-functional calculations, favor low-coordinated sites.

CO Adsorption on GaPd-Unravelling the Chemical Bonding in Real Space.

The electron localizability indicator-an efficient quantum chemical tool for analysis of chemical bonding-is applied to unveil the chemical bonding behind the CO adsorption on the (1‾ 1‾ 1‾ ) surface of the highly selective semi-hydrogenation catalyst GaPd. Refining the commonly applied Blyholder model, the obtained results are in excellent agreement with previous experimental and theoretical findings. The clean GaPd(1‾ 1‾ 1‾ ) surface presents unshielded negatively charged Pd centers and positively charged Ga species partially shielded by dangling bonds.

Formation of Water Chains on CaO(001): What Drives the 1D Growth?

Formation of partly dissociated water chains is observed on CaO(001) films upon water exposure at 300 K. While morphology and orientation of the 1D assemblies are revealed from scanning tunneling microscopy, their atomic structure is identified with infrared absorption spectroscopy combined with density functional theory calculations. The latter exploit an ab initio genetic algorithm linked to atomistic thermodynamics to determine low-energy H2O configurations on the oxide surface.

Big data of materials science: critical role of the descriptor.

Statistical learning of materials properties or functions so far starts with a largely silent, nonchallenged step: the choice of the set of descriptive parameters (termed descriptor). However, when the scientific connection between the descriptor and the actuating mechanisms is unclear, the causality of the learned descriptor-property relation is uncertain. Thus, a trustful prediction of new promising materials, identification of anomalies, and scientific advancement are doubtful.

Stability and metastability of clusters in a reactive atmosphere: theoretical evidence for unexpected stoichiometries of MgMOx.

By applying a genetic algorithm and ab initio atomistic thermodynamics, we identify the stable and metastable compositions and structures of MgMOx clusters at realistic temperatures and oxygen pressures. We find that small clusters (M≲5) are in thermodynamic equilibrium when x>M. The nonstoichiometric clusters exhibit peculiar magnetic behavior, suggesting the possibility of tuning magnetic properties by changing environmental pressure and temperature conditions.

Concentration of vacancies at metal-oxide surfaces: case study of MgO(100).

We investigate the effects of doping on the formation energy and concentration of oxygen vacancies at a metal-oxide surface, using MgO(100) as an example. Our approach employs density-functional theory, where the performance of the exchange-correlation functional is carefully analyzed, and the functional is chosen according to a condition on density-functional theory ionization energies. The approach is further validated by coupled-cluster calculations, including single, double, and perturbative triple substitutions, for embedded clusters.

Rigorous definition of oxidation states of ions in solids.

We present justification and a rigorous procedure for electron partitioning among atoms in extended systems. The method is based on wave-function topology and the modern theory of polarization, rather than charge density partitioning or wave-function projection, and, as such, reformulates the concept of oxidation state without assuming real-space charge transfer between atoms. This formulation provides rigorous electrostatics of finite-extent solids, including films and nanowires.

Influence of ferroelectric polarization on the equilibrium stoichiometry of lithium niobate (0001) surfaces.

We present a first-principles density functional theory study predicting the relative thermodynamic stability of ferroelectric lithium niobate (LiNbO3) (0001) surfaces of different stoichiometry. We predict that the equilibrium stoichiometries are different for the positively and negatively polarized LiNbO3 surfaces under the same conditions. Based on the modern theory of polarization, we demonstrate how a simple ionic model can be used to calculate surface charges for ferroelectric surfaces with intrinsic polar stacking.

Photodissociation dynamics of the NO dimer. I. Theoretical overview of the ultraviolet singlet excited states.

Molecular orbital theory and calculations are used to describe the ultraviolet singlet excited states of NO dimer. Qualitatively, we derive and catalog the dimer states by correlating them with monomer states, and provide illustrative complete active space self-consistent field calculations. Quantitatively, we provide computational estimates of vertical transition energies and absorption intensities with multireference configuration interaction and equations-of-motion coupled-cluster methods, and examine an important avoided crossing between a Rydberg and a valence state along the intermonomer and intramonomer stretching coordinates.

Beyond vinyl: electronic structure of unsaturated propen-1-yl, propen-2-yl, 1-buten-2-yl, and trans-2-buten-2-yl hydrocarbon radicals.

Vertical excitation energies and oscillator strengths for several valence and Rydberg electronic states of vinyl, propen-1-yl, propen-2-yl, 1-buten-2-yl, and trans-2-buten-2-yl radicals are calculated using the equation-of-motion coupled cluster methods with single and double substitutions (EOM-CCSD). The ground and the lowest excited state (n <-- pi) equilibrium geometries are calculated using the CCSD(T) and EOM-SF-CCSD methods, respectively, and adiabatic excitation energies for the n <-- pi state are reported. Systematic changes in the geometries, excitation energies, and Rydberg state quantum defects within this group of radicals are discussed.

Analytic gradients for the spin-conserving and spin-flipping equation-of-motion coupled-cluster models with single and double substitutions.

Analytic gradient expressions for the spin-conserving and spin-flipping equation-of-motion coupled-cluster models with single and double substitutions are derived using a Lagrangian approach for the restricted and unrestricted Hartree-Fock references, both for the case of all orbitals being active in correlated calculations and for the frozen core and/or virtual orbitals. Details of the implementation within the Q-CHEM electronic structure package are discussed. The capabilities of the new code are demonstrated by application to cyclobutadiene.