First-principles calculation of structural, mechanical, magnetic and thermodynamic properties for γ-M₂₃C₆ (M = Fe, Cr) compounds

We report the results of our first-principles calculations of structural stability, mechanical, magnetic, and thermodynamic properties for γ-M ₂₃C₆ (M = Fe, Cr) compounds with each of the four metal Wyckoff sites being occupied in turn by Fe. The thermodynamic properties and the temperature dependence of the mechanical behavior of γ-M ₂₃C₆ compounds are investigated based on the quasi-harmonic Debye model. The results show that the thermodynamic properties of γ-M₂₃C₆ (M = Fe, Cr) compounds are more dependent on the position of Fe atoms than the amount of Fe.