Research Article

Spintronic Potential of the BeFeCd Semi-Heusler Alloy: An Ab Initio Investigation

Volume: 15 Number: 2 June 30, 2026

Spintronic Potential of the BeFeCd Semi-Heusler Alloy: An Ab Initio Investigation

Abstract

This study comprehensively investigated the structural, elastic, electronic, magnetic and thermodynamic characteristics of the BeFeCd semi-Heusler alloy via density functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation. The alloy crystallizes in the F(43) ̅m space group, with Be, Cd and Fe atoms occupying the (0, 0, 0), (1/4, 1/4, 1/4) and (3/4, 3/4, 3/4) Wyckoff positions, respectively. Structural optimization yielded an equilibrium lattice parameter of 5.487 Å for the mechanically stable configuration. The calculated elastic constants (C11 = 195.48 GPa, C12 = 105.07 GPa, C44 = 16.44 GPa) satisfy the Born stability conditions, confirming the robustness of the crystal structure. The calculated Poisson's ratio (0.412), bulk modulus (135.21 GPa), shear modulus (24.99 GPa) and B/G ratio (5.41) suggest that the alloy combines metallic bonding characteristics with ductile mechanical behavior and has relatively low compressibility. Electronic band structure and density of states analyses revealed that the alloy possesses metallic conductivity dominated by Fe-3d electronic states. Magnetic calculations indicate a total magnetic moment of 2.2 μB per formula unit, suggesting ferromagnetic ordering. The thermodynamic properties evaluated through the Debye model, including vibrational energy, free energy, entropy and heat capacity, exhibit temperature-dependent trends that are consistent with those of typical semi-Heusler alloys. The Debye temperature was determined to be 266.242 K. Overall, these results suggest that BeFeCd is a mechanically stable, metallic and magnetically active semi-Heusler alloy with promising potential applications in spintronics and magnetoelectronics.

Keywords

References

  1. S. Tavares, K. Yang, and M. A. Meyers, “Heusler alloys: Past, properties, new alloys, and prospects,” Prog. Mater. Sci., vol. 132, p. 101017, 2023.
  2. K. Elphick et al., “Heusler alloys for spintronic devices: Recent development and future perspectives,” Sci. Technol. Adv. Mater., vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 235–271, 2021.
  3. A. Hirohata and D. C. Lloyd, “Heusler alloys for metal spintronics,” MRS Bull., vol. 47, pp. 593–599, 2022.
  4. T. Graf, C. Felser, and S. S. P. Parkin, “Simple rules for the understanding of Heusler compounds,” Prog. Solid State Chem., vol. 39, pp. 1–50, 2011.
  5. C. Felser and A. Hirohata, Eds., Heusler Alloys: Properties, Growth, Applications. Berlin, Germany: Springer, 2016.
  6. I. Galanakis, P. H. Dederichs, and N. Papanikolaou, “Slater–Pauling behavior in half-metallic Heusler alloys,” Phys. Rev. B, vol. 66, p. 174429, 2002.
  7. S. Chadov et al., “Tunable multifunctional topological insulators in ternary Heusler compounds,” Nat. Mater., vol. 9, pp. 541–545, 2010.
  8. H. Lin et al., “Half-Heusler ternary compounds as new multifunctional experimental platforms,” Nat. Mater., vol. 9, pp. 546–549, 2010.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Computational Material Sciences, Metals and Alloy Materials

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

December 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 26, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 2

APA
Albayrak, E. (2026). Spintronic Potential of the BeFeCd Semi-Heusler Alloy: An Ab Initio Investigation. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, 15(2), 782-792. https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1835528
AMA
1.Albayrak E. Spintronic Potential of the BeFeCd Semi-Heusler Alloy: An Ab Initio Investigation. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026;15(2):782-792. doi:10.17798/bitlisfen.1835528
Chicago
Albayrak, Erol. 2026. “Spintronic Potential of the BeFeCd Semi-Heusler Alloy: An Ab Initio Investigation”. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi 15 (2): 782-92. https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1835528.
EndNote
Albayrak E (June 1, 2026) Spintronic Potential of the BeFeCd Semi-Heusler Alloy: An Ab Initio Investigation. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi 15 2 782–792.
IEEE
[1]E. Albayrak, “Spintronic Potential of the BeFeCd Semi-Heusler Alloy: An Ab Initio Investigation”, Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 782–792, June 2026, doi: 10.17798/bitlisfen.1835528.
ISNAD
Albayrak, Erol. “Spintronic Potential of the BeFeCd Semi-Heusler Alloy: An Ab Initio Investigation”. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi 15/2 (June 1, 2026): 782-792. https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1835528.
JAMA
1.Albayrak E. Spintronic Potential of the BeFeCd Semi-Heusler Alloy: An Ab Initio Investigation. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026;15:782–792.
MLA
Albayrak, Erol. “Spintronic Potential of the BeFeCd Semi-Heusler Alloy: An Ab Initio Investigation”. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 15, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 782-9, doi:10.17798/bitlisfen.1835528.
Vancouver
1.Erol Albayrak. Spintronic Potential of the BeFeCd Semi-Heusler Alloy: An Ab Initio Investigation. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026 Jun. 1;15(2):782-9. doi:10.17798/bitlisfen.1835528

Bitlis Eren University

Journal of Science Editor

Bitlis Eren University Graduate Institute

Bes Minare Mah. Ahmet Eren Bulvari, Merkez Kampus, 13000 BITLIS

E-mail: fbe@beu.edu.tr