The cohesive energy, equilibrium lattice constant, and bulk modulus of noble
metals are computed by different van der Waals-corrected Density Functional
Theory methods, including vdW-DF, vdW-DF2, vdW-DF-cx, rVV10 and PBE-D. Two
specifically-designed methods are also developed in order to effectively
include dynamical screening effects: the DFT/vdW-WF2p method, based on the
generation of Maximally Localized Wannier Functions, and the RPAp scheme (in
two variants), based on a single-oscillator model of the localized electron
response. Comparison with results obtained without explicit inclusion of van
der Waals effects, such as with the LDA, PBE, PBEsol, or the hybrid PBE0
functional, elucidates the importance of a suitable description of screened van
der Waals interactions even in the case of strong metal bonding. Many-body
effects are also quantitatively evaluated within the RPAp approach.Comment: 3 figure
