First-principles calculations of hybrid inorganic–organic interfaces: from state-of-the-art to best practice

Oliver Hofmann*, Egbert Zojer, Lukas Hörmann, Andreas Jeindl, Reinhard Johann Maurer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

The computational characterization of inorganic–organic hybrid interfaces is arguably one of the technically most challenging applications of density functional theory. Due to the fundamentally different electronic properties of the inorganic and the organic components of a hybrid interface, the proper choice of the electronic structure method, of the algorithms to solve these methods, and of the parameters that enter these algorithms is highly non-trivial. In fact, computational choices that work well for one of the components often perform poorly for the other. As a consequence, default settings for one materials class are typically inadequate for the hybrid system, which makes calculations employing such settings inefficient and sometimes even prone to erroneous results. To address this issue, we discuss how to choose appropriate atomistic representations for the system under investigation, we highlight the role of the exchange–correlation functional and the van der Waals correction employed in the calculation and we provide tips and tricks how to efficiently converge the self-consistent field cycle and to obtain accurate geometries. We particularly focus on potentially unexpected pitfalls and the errors they incur. As a summary, we provide a list of best practice rules for interface simulations that should especially serve as a useful starting point for less experienced users and newcomers to the field.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8132-8180
Number of pages49
JournalPhysical Chemistry, Chemical Physics
Volume23
Issue number14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Apr 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Fields of Expertise

  • Advanced Materials Science

Cooperations

  • NAWI Graz

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