On the Symmetry, Electronic Properties, and Possible Metallic States in NASICON-Structured A4V2(PO4)3 (A = Li, Na, K) Phosphates

Abstract

In this work, the electronic structure and properties of NASICON-structured A4V2(PO4)3, where A = Li, Na, K were studied using hybrid density functional theory calculations. The symmetries were analyzed using a group theoretical approach, and the band structures were examined by the atom and orbital projected density of states analyses. Li4V2(PO4)3 and Na4V2(PO4)3 adopted monoclinic structures with the C2 space group and averaged vanadium oxidation states of V+2.5 in the ground state, whereas K4V2(PO4)3 adopted a monoclinic structure with the C2 space group and mixed vanadium oxidation states V+2/V+3 in the ground state. The mixed oxidation state is the least stable state in Na4V2(PO4)3 and Li4V2(PO4)3. Symmetry increases in Li4V2(PO4)3 and Na4V2(PO4)3 led to the appearance of a metallic state that was independent of the vanadium oxidation states (except for the averaged oxidation state R32 Na4V2(PO4)3). On the other hand, K4V2(PO4)3 retained a small band gap in all studied configurations. These results might provide valuable guidance for crystallography and electronic structure investigations for this important class of materials.