A DFT study of cohesive properties of Me–X (Me=Cu,Ni, X=In,Sn) compounds is reported.
New correlations of cohesive energy and bulk modulus for stable and non-stable phases.
Electronic density of states and contributions to chemical bonding identified.
Various effects of Cu/Ni and In/Sn alloying substitutions established and explained.
A detailed picture of bonding in this class of s–p/d type of compounds is developed.