Study of structural and mechanical properties of the C2CaNa half-Heusler alloy using density functional theory approach

Abstract

The mechanical properties of the half-Heusler alloy C2CaNa using density functional theory approach as installed in Quantum Espresso software was examined. We observed that C2CaNa will be easily compressed due to the small value of its bulk modulus. The values of the lattice constant a0, elastic constants (C11, C12, C14), Young’s modulus E, Piosson’s ratio ν, Shear modulus G, Zener anitropy A, pressure derivative B′, and band-gap Eg were obtained. Also the Voigt approximation, Reuss approximation and the Voigt–Reuss–Hill average of the approximation were gotten. Calculated values of G/B ratio is 0.581; this shows that C2CaNa has low resistance opposed to shear deformation. The B/G ratio evaluated for C2CaNa is 1.72. This implies that C2CaNa is “brittle” in nature at ambient condition. Our calculated elastic constants (C11, C12, and C44) for C2CaNa satisfied the following mechanical stability conditions for cubic structure: C11 – C12 > 0, C44 > 0, and C11 + 2C12 > 0. The value of C12 is an indication that C2CaNa is mechanically stable. This examination gives important experiences into the primary dependability and mechanical way of behavior of this material, this will empower advance material plan and application.