Titaniumα−ωphase transformation pathway and a predicted metastable structure

As titanium is a highly utilized metal for structural lightweighting, its phases, transformation pathways (transition states), and structures have scientific and industrial importance. Using a proper solid-state nudged elastic band method employing two climbing images combined with density functional theory DFT + U methods for accurate energetics, we detail the pressure-induced $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ (ductile) to $\ensuremath{\omega}$ (brittle) transformation at the coexistence pressure. We find two transition states along the minimal-enthalpy path and discover a metastable body-centered orthorhombic structure, with stable phonons, a lower density than the end-point phases, and decreasing stability with increasing pressure.