Electronic and Piezoelectric properties of half-Heusler compounds: A first principles study

We have investigated the semiconducting and piezoelectric properties of bulk MNiSn (M=Ti, Zr, Hf) type a half-Heusler compound with cubic F-43m symmetry by means of density functional theory (DFT). For electron exchange correlation a generalized gradient approximation (GGA) was used. Special attention was paid to establish a most favourble ground state configuration on magnetic as well as non-magnetic ordering. With fully optimized structure the electronic and ferroelectric calculation was performed. The formation of band gap was discussed on the basis of d-d orbital hybridization. Further we have calculated the spontaneous polarization by means of structural deformation.