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Neil L Allan

Publications and source records attributed to Neil L Allan.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Graphitic nanofilms as precursors to wurtzite films: theory.

Periodic ab initio density functional calculations on ultrathin films of AlN, BeO, GaN, SiC, ZnO, and ZnS demonstrate the stabilization of thicker films terminating with the polar {0001} surface via charge transfer and metallization of the surface layers. In contrast thinner films remove the dipole by adopting a graphiticlike structure in which the atoms are threefold coordinate. This structure is thermodynamically the most favorable for these thinner films. Implications for the crystal growth of wurtzite materials are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Raman spectroscopy of diamondoids.

A selection of diamondoid hydrocarbons, from adamantane to [121321] heptamantane, have been analysed by multi-wavelength laser Raman spectroscopy. Spectra were assigned using vibrational frequencies and Raman intensities were calculated by employing the B3LYP functional and the split valence basis set of Schafer, Horn and Ahlrichs with polarisation functions on carbon atoms. The variation of the spectra and associated vibrational modes with the structure and symmetry of the molecules are discussed. Each diamondoid was found to produce a unique Raman spectrum, allowing for easy differentiation between molecules. Using the peak assignments derived from the calculations we find that the low frequency region of the spectra, corresponding to CCC-bending/CC-stretching modes, is particularly characteristic of the geometric shape of the diamondoid molecules.

Adamantane↗
PubMed2005

Strikingly long C...C distances in 1,2-disubstituted ortho-carboranes and their dianions.

Neutral and especially dianionic 6- and 12-vertex closo ortho-carboranes (o-carboranes) 1,2-R2-1,2-C2BnHn (R = H, CH3, NH2, OH, F, SiH3, PH2, SH, Cl, as well as e-, CH2-, NH-, O-, SiH2-, PH-, and S- exhibit extremely large variations (over 1 A!) of the cage CC distances, from 1.626 to 2.638 A, at the B3LYP/6-31G//B3LYP/6-31G DFT level. These CC "bond lengths," among the longest ever reported, generally are greater in the icosahedral than those in the corresponding octahedral systems and depend strongly on the substituents. While 1,2-(NH2)2-1,2-C2B10H10 has the longest Cc...Cc separation in neutral species (1.860 A), Cc...Cc distances can be much larger in the corresponding dianions. These range from 1.823 A (R- = e-) to 2.638 A (R- = CH2-) for 1,2-(R-)2-1,2-C2B10H10 and from 1.626 A (R- = SiH2-) to 3.099 A (R- = NH-) for 1,2-(R-)2-1,2-C2B4H4. Remarkably, there is no abrupt discontinuity over the entire range of CC lengths. Consequently, the relationship between the gradual changes in the distances and the nature of the bonding was analyzed by means of the form of the Kohn-Sham orbitals, the Wiberg Cc...Cc bond indices, and Bader AIM method. Cluster carboranes, and possibly other heteroboranes, thus appear to offer unique opportunities for modulating Cc...Cc distances.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Monte Carlo simulation of segregation in ceramic thin films.

A Monte Carlo exchange technique is used to study segregation in thin ceramic films with application to MgO/MnO. The approach is not restricted to the dilute limit. Surface concentrations as a function of temperature and film composition are determined directly from the simulations. For all compositions studied (Mn(chi)Mg(1-chi)O, 0 < or = chi < or = 1) the (001) surface is Mn(2+) rich; the occupancy of sites by Mn(2+) decreases rapidly with depth. The ratio of the number of Mn(2+) to Mg(2+) ions at the surface decreases as a function of temperature. The calculated enthalpies of segregation of Mn(2+) for the thin film are strongly dependent on the total Mn(2+) concentration at small Mn(2+) concentrations, with the enthalpy of segregation varying by a factor of two with surface coverage.

Ceramics↗
PubMed2005

Topography of the potential energy hypersurface and criteria for fast-ion conduction in perovskite-related A2B2O5 oxides.

We discuss the importance of the topography of the potential energy hypersurface for the ionic conductivity of perovskite-related A(2)B(2)O(5) oxides. A correlation between the energetic preference of the cations for different coordination geometries and the ionic conductivity is proposed based on a first principles periodic density functional theory study of selected possible structures for Ba(2)In(2)O(5), Sr(2)Fe(2)O(5), Sr(2)Mn(2)O(5), and La(2)Ni(2)O(5). There are a large number of low-energy local minima on the potential energy hypersurfaces of the two first compounds due to an energetic preference for BO(4) tetrahedra. Tetrahedral environments are energetically unfavorable for Mn(III) in Sr(2)Mn(2)O(5) and for Ni(II) in La(2)Ni(2)O(5), and the number of low-energy configurations is relatively low in these two cases. Consistent with our findings, in contrast to Sr(2)Fe(2)O(5) and Ba(2)In(2)O(5), Sr(2)Mn(2)O(5) and La(2)Ni(2)O(5) do not exhibit transitions to disordered phases on heating, and there appear to be no reports of enhanced ionic conductivity for these compounds. Thus we suggest that the possibility of many different oxygen orderings associated with a variety of low-energy connectivity schemes within tetrahedral layers such as in the brownmillerite-based structures of Sr(2)Fe(2)O(5) and Ba(2)In(2)O(5) is a prerequisite for high ionic conductivity in perovskite-related A(2)B(2)O(5) oxides.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Simulating surface diffusion and surface growth in ceramics.

We examine the movement of ion pairs on the surfaces of simple oxides. Using temperature-accelerated dynamics the elementary processes involved are identified and the activation energies of these used as input to kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. Results are presented for the motion of BaO and SrO ion pairs on the (100) surfaces of BaO and SrO, respectively, and the formation of island pairs on these surfaces is studied. The simulations reveal the importance of exchange mechanisms in surface diffusion and growth of oxides. The importance of such reactions has been recognised previously for metallic surfaces but not for ionic systems, where it has been assumed that ionic surface diffusion is surface diffusion via the hopping motion of ion pairs from one surface site to another. Exchange mechanisms can dominate transport processes both on terraces and steps for both homoepitaxial and heteroepitaxial growth. We suggest the unavoidable mixing when an exchange mechanism operates must be considered when attempting to grow sharp interfaces in oxide nanostructures.

Journal Article↗