On the application of Marcus–Hush theory to small polaron chemical dynamics in oxides: its relationship to the Holstein model and the importance of lattice–orbital symmetries

Abstract

The chemical dynamics of small polaron hopping within oxides is often interpreted through two-site variations on Marcus–Hush theory, while from a physics perspective small polaron hopping is more often approached from Holstein's solid-state formalism. Here we seek to provide a chemically oriented viewpoint, focusing on small polaron hopping in oxides, concerning these two phenomenological frameworks by employing both tight-binding modelling and first-principles calculations. First, within a semiclassical approach the Marcus–Hush relations are overviewed as a two-site reduction of Holstein's model. Within the single-band regime, similarities and differences between Holstein derived small polaron hopping and the Marcus–Hush model are also discussed. In this context the emergence of adiabaticity (or, conversely, diabaticity) is also explored within each framework both analytically and by directly evolving the system wavefunction. Then, through first-principles calculations of select oxides we explore how coupled lattice and orbital symmetries can impact on hopping properties – in a manner that is quite distinct typical chemical applications of Marcus–Hush theory. These results are then related back to the Holstein model to explore the relative applicability of the two frameworks towards interpreting small polaron hopping properties, where it is emphasized that the Holstein model offers an increasingly more appealing physicochemical interpretation of hopping processes as band and/or coupling interactions increase. Overall, this work aims to strengthen the physically oriented exploration of small polarons and their physicochemical properties in the growing oxide chemistry community.