First-principles calculations for point defects in MAX phases Ti2AlN

This paper outlines general physical issues associated with performing computational numerical simulations of primary point defects in MAX phases Ti2AlN. First-principles solutions are possible due to the development of computational resources of software and hardware. The calculation accuracy is a good agreement with the experimental results. As an important application of our simulations, the results could provide a theoretical guidance for future experiments and application of Ti2AlN. For example, the N mono-vacancy is the most difficult to form. On the contrary, the mono-vacancy formation in Ti2AlN is energetically most favorable for the Al atom. The essence of the phenomena is explained by the calculated density of state (DOS).