Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
A first principles density funtional computational method has been used to investigate the atomic stucture and energy of various distinct forms of the σ = 5(001) twist grain boundary in SrTiO3. The study focuses on four non-stoichiometric geometries which are all found to be stable to be the most stable. The grain boundary energies are computed as a function of TiO2 chemical potential and these define the limits of stability. The computed volume expansions are consistent with experimental observation and the in plane relaxations lower the boundary symmetry.