New two-dimensional arsenene polymorph predicted by first-principles calculation: robust direct bandgap and enhanced optical adsorption

Nanotechnology. 2021 Mar 23;32(24). doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/abeb3a.

Abstract

In this work, we predict a new polymorph of 2D monolayer arsenic. This structure, namedδ-As, consists of a centrosymmetric monolayer, which is thermodynamically and kinetically stable. Distinctly different from the previously predicted monolayer arsenic with an indirect bandgap, the new allotrope exhibits a direct bandgap characteristic. Moreover, while keeping the direct bandgap unchanged, the bandgap of monolayerδ-As can be adjusted from 1.83 eV to 0 eV by applying zigzag-direction tensile strain, which is pronounced an advantage for solar cell and photodetector applications.

Keywords: artificial intelligence materials design; atomically thin arsenene; electronic properties; optoelectronics device.