Theoretical studies of the pressure-induced phase transition and elastic properties of BeS

First-principles calculations were performed to investigate the structural, electronic and elastic properties of BeS in both B3 and B8 structures. The structural phase transition from B3 to B8 occurs at 58.86 GPa with a volume decrease of 10.74%. The results of the electronic band structure show that the energy gap is indirect for B3 and B8 phases. The pressure dependence of the direct and indirect band gaps for BeS has been investigated. Especially, the elastic constants of B8 BeS under high pressure have been studied for the first time. The mechanical stability of the two phases has been discussed based on the pressure dependence of the elastic constants. In addition, the pressure dependence of bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus, elastic wave velocities and brittle-ductile behavior of BeS are all successfully obtained. Finally, the elastic anisotropy has been investigated by using two different methods. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.