Van der Waals density functional theory study for bulk solids with BCC, FCC, and diamond structures

• Assessment of various van der Waals functionals based on density functional theory.
• Ten van der Waals (vdW) functionals implemented in VASP were considered.
• Bulk solids with BCC, FCC, and diamond structures were examined.
• Results provide important information for further development of vdW methods.

Proper inclusion of van der Waals (vdW) interactions in theoretical simulations based on standard density functional theory (DFT) is crucial to describe the physics and chemistry of systems such as organic and layered materials. Many encouraging approaches have been proposed to combine vdW interactions with standard approximate DFT calculations. Despite many vdW studies, there is no consensus on the reliability of vdW methods. To help further development of vdW methods, we have assessed various vdW functionals through the calculation of structural properties at equilibrium, such as lattice constants, bulk moduli, and cohesive energies, for bulk solids, including alkali, alkali-earth, and transition metals, with BCC, FCC, and diamond structures as the ground state structure. These results provide important information for the vdW-related materials research, which is essential for designing and optimizing materials systems for desired physical and chemical properties.