Density functional theory (DFT), with quarter of DFT exchange replaced by Fock exchange for the 5f electrons, is used to calculate bulk and (1 1 (2) over bar 0) surface properties of beta-Pu2O3. Lowest energy bulk structure is an anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) insulator, optimized lattice parameters agreeing well with experiment. The surface is also an AFM insulator with a predicted work function, surface energy, and a band gap of 2.52 eV, 1.58 J/m(2), and 0.7 eV, respectively, with surface properties converging at five atomic layers. The 5f electron states localization is pronounced at the top layer while bulk-like behavior is exhibited at and below the subsurface layer. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.