Lattice Dynamics and Thermal Properties of Ti<sub>x</sub>Zr<sub>1-x</sub>NiSn Half-Heusler Alloys

Half-Heusler alloys are promising materials for thermoelectric applications, yet the impact of the compositional disorder on their lattice dynamics remains incompletely understood. This study investigates the effect of systematic Zr substitution on the lattice dynamics and thermal properties of Ti&l...

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Main Author: Prince Sharma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Alloys
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2674-063X/4/1/3
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author Prince Sharma
author_facet Prince Sharma
author_sort Prince Sharma
collection DOAJ
description Half-Heusler alloys are promising materials for thermoelectric applications, yet the impact of the compositional disorder on their lattice dynamics remains incompletely understood. This study investigates the effect of systematic Zr substitution on the lattice dynamics and thermal properties of Ti<sub>x</sub>Zr<sub>1-x</sub>NiSn half-Heusler alloys using first-principles calculations. Through careful analysis of phonon dispersions, density of states, and thermodynamic properties, it is revealed that Zr substitution (25%, 50%, and 75%) introduces minimal structural distortion while enhancing system stability. It is shown that increasing Zr content systematically modifies the phonons, particularly affecting the high-frequency optical modes above 5 THz. Notably, with Zr content, these findings provide valuable insights for tailoring the thermal properties of half-Heusler alloys for high-temperature applications in thermoelectric devices and components.
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spelling doaj-art-68232ab7027d403090a02e9e567efe1e2025-08-20T02:11:12ZengMDPI AGAlloys2674-063X2025-02-0141310.3390/alloys4010003Lattice Dynamics and Thermal Properties of Ti<sub>x</sub>Zr<sub>1-x</sub>NiSn Half-Heusler AlloysPrince Sharma0Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USAHalf-Heusler alloys are promising materials for thermoelectric applications, yet the impact of the compositional disorder on their lattice dynamics remains incompletely understood. This study investigates the effect of systematic Zr substitution on the lattice dynamics and thermal properties of Ti<sub>x</sub>Zr<sub>1-x</sub>NiSn half-Heusler alloys using first-principles calculations. Through careful analysis of phonon dispersions, density of states, and thermodynamic properties, it is revealed that Zr substitution (25%, 50%, and 75%) introduces minimal structural distortion while enhancing system stability. It is shown that increasing Zr content systematically modifies the phonons, particularly affecting the high-frequency optical modes above 5 THz. Notably, with Zr content, these findings provide valuable insights for tailoring the thermal properties of half-Heusler alloys for high-temperature applications in thermoelectric devices and components.https://www.mdpi.com/2674-063X/4/1/3half-Heusler alloysDFTcation disorderlattice distortionquasi-harmonic approximation
spellingShingle Prince Sharma
Lattice Dynamics and Thermal Properties of Ti<sub>x</sub>Zr<sub>1-x</sub>NiSn Half-Heusler Alloys
Alloys
half-Heusler alloys
DFT
cation disorder
lattice distortion
quasi-harmonic approximation
title Lattice Dynamics and Thermal Properties of Ti<sub>x</sub>Zr<sub>1-x</sub>NiSn Half-Heusler Alloys
title_full Lattice Dynamics and Thermal Properties of Ti<sub>x</sub>Zr<sub>1-x</sub>NiSn Half-Heusler Alloys
title_fullStr Lattice Dynamics and Thermal Properties of Ti<sub>x</sub>Zr<sub>1-x</sub>NiSn Half-Heusler Alloys
title_full_unstemmed Lattice Dynamics and Thermal Properties of Ti<sub>x</sub>Zr<sub>1-x</sub>NiSn Half-Heusler Alloys
title_short Lattice Dynamics and Thermal Properties of Ti<sub>x</sub>Zr<sub>1-x</sub>NiSn Half-Heusler Alloys
title_sort lattice dynamics and thermal properties of ti sub x sub zr sub 1 x sub nisn half heusler alloys
topic half-Heusler alloys
DFT
cation disorder
lattice distortion
quasi-harmonic approximation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2674-063X/4/1/3
work_keys_str_mv AT princesharma latticedynamicsandthermalpropertiesoftisubxsubzrsub1xsubnisnhalfheusleralloys