Theoretical study of α-U/W(110) thin films from density functional theory calculations: Structural, magnetic and electronic properties

► We model α-U/W(110) thin films by reconstructing an fcc-like structure for α-U(001). ► The fcc-like α-U(001) has a propensity to wet the fcc-like W(110) substrate. ► In contrast to the freestanding α-U(001), α-U/W(110) is not a magnetic system. ► Interatomic U-U distances are more contracted in α-U/W(110) than α-U(001). ► 5f-U-electrons behave itinerantly and predominate the valence bands in α-U/W(110).