First-principles calculations of the thermodynamic and elastic properties of the Ll(2)-based Al3RE (RE = Sc, Y, La-Lu)

First-principles calculations of the total energy and elastic properties of the Ll(2)-based Al3RE (RE = Sc, Y, Lanthanide) at T = 0 K are performed by using the projector augmented-wave method within the generalized gradient approximation. The lattice constants, formation enthalpies, elastic constants and bulk modulus of the Ll(2)-based Al3RE are obtained. Young's modulus, shear modulus and Poisson's ratios are also estimated in the present work. By using the Debye-Gruneisen model, the Debye temperatures, Gruneisen constants and the sound velocity are obtained for the Ll(2)-based Al3RE. All the calculated results are in good agreement with experimental values and other theoretical calculations available.