Calculation of the surface energy of bcc metals by using the modified embedded-atom method

The surface energies for 24 surfaces of bcc metals Li, Na, K, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W and Fe have been calculated by using the modified embedded-atom method. The results show that for most bcc metals the lowest surface energies correspond to the (110) surface, as predicted from the bcc lattice, and the highest surface energies correspond to the (433) surface. From surface energy minimization, the (110) texture should be favourable in the bcc films. This is consistent with experimental results.