Theoretical description of pressure-induced phase transitions: a case study of Ti-V alloys

We discuss theoretical description of pressure-induced phase transitions by means of first-principles calculations in the framework of density functional theory. We illustrate applications of theoretical tools that allow one to take into account configurational and vibrational disorders, considering Ti-V alloys as a model system. The universality of the first-principles theory allows us to apply it in studies of different phenomena that occur in the Ti-V system upon compression. Besides the transitions between different crystal structures, we discuss isostructural transitions in bcc Ti-V alloys. Moreover, we present arguments for possible electronic transitions in this system, which may explain peculiar behaviour of elastic properties of V upon compression.Funding Agencies|Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation [14.Y26.31.0005]; SSF [SRL 10-0026]; Russian Foundation for Basic Researches [13-02-00606a]; Tomsk State University Academic D.I. Mendeleev Fund Program; Program of Fundamental Research of State Academies of Sciences