Half-metallicity and ferromagnetism of TcX (X=C, Si and Ge) in zinc blende structure

We report results of a first-principles density-functional study of three binary transition-metal compounds TcX (X=C, Si and Ge) in the hypothetical cubic zinc blende (ZB) structure. Our calculations are based on the full potential linear augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) plus local orbitals method, together with generalized gradient approximation for the exchange-correlation potential. Half-metallic (HM) ferromagnetism is observed in these binary compounds for their optimized cell volumes. In the HM state, these compounds possess an integer magnetic moment (1.000μB) per formula unit, which is one of the important characteristics of half-metallic ferromagnets (HMFs). The ferromagnetic (FM) state is found to be stable for ZB TcC, TcSi and TcGe against the nonmagnetic (NM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) states. Calculations show that half-metallicity can be maintained for a wide range of lattice constants in these binary compounds. Density functional calculations of exchange interactions and the Curie temperatures reveal similar trends for the three compounds with respect to the lattice parameter. These compounds are compatible with the traditional semiconductors, and could be useful in spin-electronics and other applications. The most important aspect of this work is to explore the possibility of not only magnetism, but HM ferromagnetism in compounds involving NM elements and 4d transition element Tc. - Highlights: ► We study magnetism of the compounds TcSi, TcC, and TcGe. ► These compounds, with nonmagnetic constituents, are found to be ferromagnetic. ► They show robust half-metallicity in zinc blende structure. ► Estimated Curie temperatures suggest that synthesis of these compounds is worth pursuing.