Prediction of solid-aqueous equilibria: Scheme to combine first-principles calculations of solids with experimental aqueous states

We present an efficient scheme for combining ab initio calculated solid states with experimental aqueous states through a framework of consistent reference energies. Our work enables accurate prediction of phase stability and dissolution in equilibrium with water, which has many important application areas. We formally outline the thermodynamic principles of the scheme and show examples of successful applications of the proposed framework on (1) the evaluation of the water-splitting photocatalyst material Ta₃N₅ for aqueous stability, (2) the stability of small nanoparticle Pt in acid water, and (3) the prediction of particle morphology and facet stabilization of olivine LiFePO₄ as a function of aqueous conditions.