High-throughput density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to accelerate the discovery of new oxychalcogenide compounds. In particular, experimentally-known crystal structures are decorated with essentially all possible combinations of elements in the periodic table, generating thousands of potential compounds. High-throughput DFT calculations carried out on these compounds are then screened for thermodynamic stability utilizing the Open Quantum Materials Database. Several of the newly predicted oxychalcogenide compounds are predicted to have promising applications such as thermoelectrics, transparent conductors, photovoltaics, and lithium superionic conductors.
Northwestern Materials Research Science and Engineering Center
NU-MRSEC advances world-class materials research, education, and outreach via active interdisciplinary collaborations within the Center and with external partners in academia, industry, national laboratories, and museums, both domestically and abroad.