Simultaneous optimization of crystal and magnetic structures: Applications to topological magnetic electrides

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1. We studied the electride phase in molecular crystals. By means of first-principles calculations, we showed that nontrivial electronic topology may be realized even in quasi-zero-dimensional molecular crystals, with the aid of interstitial electrons. We explicitly demonstrated the novel properties of such topological molecular crystals, such as multiple cleavable surfaces, moderately strong response to mechanical perturbations, and high-quality thermoelectricity. This work connects electrides with molecular crystals, and highlights the active role of interstitial electrons in electronic topology.2. We expanded the boundary of electrides to include transition metal compounds. Transition metals, like manganese, iron, cobalt, and nickel, are traditionally not considered as good cation candidates in electrides, on account of their nonstandard valence. However, we showed that the interstitial orbitals could be stabilized due to the correlation effects on transition metal 3d orbitals. We found that such transition metal electrides manifest a high work function, suggestive of their stability compared to conventional electrides. Through this study we can see the interplay between electron correlation and electride phases.