Study of the Structural and the Electronic Properties of Half Heusler Alloy

Study of the Structural and the Electronic Properties of Half Heusler Alloy

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

As man evolve, the need for cleaner and sustainable source of energy increases. To achieve this, one must first understand material characterization. In the area of material science different materials are used for different purposes. Hence, the need to characterize materials according to their chemical, mechanical, structural, thermal properties etc. Due to the techniques available, the study of materials in order to classify them for technological application has become easier. Materials must first undergo characterization before they can be properly utilized. For the purpose of this work RhMnP, RhFeGe, RhFeSn which are Rhodium based half Heusler compounds would be studied with reference to their structural, magnetic and electronic properties.

1.0 Background of the study

Material science is an interdisciplinary field involving the properties of materials and its applications to various areas of science and engineering. It includes elements of applied physics and chemistry, as well as chemical, mechanical, civil and electrical engineering.

With significant media attention to nano-science and nanotechnology in the recent years, materials science has been propelled to the forefront at many universities, sometimes controversially.

In materials science, rather than haphazardly looking for and discovering materials and exploiting their properties, one instead aims to understand materials fundamentally so that new materials with the desired properties can be created.

The basis of all materials science involves relating the desired properties and relative performance of a material in a certain application to the structure of the atoms and phases in that material through characterization

1.1 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The aim of this study is to investigate the magnetic, electronic and structural properties of RhYZ (Y = Mn, Fe; Z = P, Ge and Sn) half Heusler alloys.

The basic objective of investigating the Heusler alloy RhMnP, RhFeGe and RhFeSn are as follow;

1. To know the magnetic and structural properties of the half Heusler alloy RhMnP, RhFeGe, and RhFeSn (XYZ)

2. To give the adequate scientific information on the Heusler alloy RhMnP, ReFeGe and RhFeSn.

3. To know the various applications of the Heusler alloy RhMnP, RhFeGe and RhFeSn.

1.2 RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY

To understand the properties of RhMnP, RhFeGe, RhFeSn half Heusler alloys and predict their possible application from first principles.

1.3 SCOPE OF STUDY

To investigate the structural, magnetic and electronic properties of RhMnP, RhFeGe and RhFeSn half Heusler alloy for the possibility of a robust and stable half metallic behavior.