Site preferences and effects of X (X = Mn, Fe, Co, Cu) on the properties of NiAl: A first-principles study

The site preference of X (X = Mn, Fe, Co, Cu) in NiAl and its effects on structural, electronic and elastic properties were investigated by performing first-principles calculations using density functional theory (DFT). Formation enthalpy calculations show that adding X increases the formation enthalpy of NiAl, indicating that X addition reduces the stability of system. The site preference was investigated by calculating the transfer energy of NiAl alloys with X. The results further exhibit that Mn, Fe and Cu show no site preference, but Co tends to occupy Ni site. By analyzing electronic density of states, Mulliken population, overlap population and valence charge density, the electronic property and bond characters were discussed. The elastic property calculation shows that only substitution of Ni by Cu increased the plasticity of alloy, while in the other cases the plasticity was decreased.