Publication
Title
Two-dimensional buckled tetragonal cadmium chalcogenides including CdS, CdSe, and CdTe monolayers as photo-catalysts for water splitting
Author
Abstract
Pure hydrogen production via water splitting is an ideal strategy for producing clean and sustainable energy. Two-dimensional (2D) cadmium chalcogenide single-layers with a tetragonal crystal structure, namely Tetra-CdX (X = S, Se, and Te) monolayers, are theoretically predicted by means of density functional theory (DFT). Their structural stability and electronic and optical properties are investigated. We find that Tetra-CdX single-layers are thermodynamically stable. Their stability decreases as we go down the 6A group in the periodic table, i.e., from X = S to Se, and Te which also means that the electronegativity decreases. All considered novel monolayers are indirect band gap semiconductors. Using the HSE06 functional the electronic band gaps of CdS, CdSe, and CdTe monolayers are predicted to be 3.10 eV, 2.97 eV, and 2.90 eV, respectively. The impact of mechanical strain on the physical properties was studied, which indicates that compressive strain increases the band gap and tensile strain decreases the band gap. The optical properties of the Tetra-CdX monolayers show the ability of these monolayers to absorb visible light. Due to the suitable band gaps and band edge positions of Tetra-CdX, these newly discovered 2D materials are promising for photocatalytic water splitting.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Physical chemistry, chemical physics / Royal Society of Chemistry [London] - Cambridge, 1999, currens
Publication
Cambridge : Royal soc chemistry , 2021
ISSN
1463-9076 [print]
1463-9084 [online]
DOI
10.1039/D1CP00317H
Volume/pages
23 :21 (2021) , p. 12226-12232
ISI
000651904600001
Pubmed ID
34009225
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 31.05.2021
Last edited 17.11.2024
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