Electronic structure, theoretical power conversion efficiency, and thermoelectric properties of bismuth-based alkaline earth antiperovskites

J Mol Model. 2023 Sep 30;29(10):329. doi: 10.1007/s00894-023-05732-z.

Abstract

Context: This research paper investigates the properties and potential applications of antiperovskite materials. Antiperovskites are a class of materials with a unique crystal structure, where the central atom is surrounded by a cage of anions. We review recent research on antiperovskite-based materials for energy storage, photovoltaics, catalysis, and sensors. We discovered that these materials display direct band gap semiconductors, strong absorption in the visible (VIS), ultra-violet (UV), and near infrared regions (NIR) based on their fundamental features, which is the most admirable quality that may be found in many optoelectronic devices. Both mechanical and thermodynamic stability have been confirmed for these materials. We discovered that these materials exhibit high figures of merit through the calculation of transport properties, which makes them a promising candidate for thermoelectric devices. It is anticipated that the proposed material BiPMg3, which has a theoretical efficiency of 11.5%, will make a suitable photovoltaic absorber. This paper highlights the potential of these materials for future technological advancements.

Methods: Herein, we have used most authentic techniques to compute fundamental physical properties of these antiperovskites. Full-potential linear augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method has been used to investigate electronic, magnetic, optical properties, and make antiperovskites attractive for a variety of applications. In light of its implementation, we have checked the theoretical power conversion efficiency by first principles spectroscopic screening methodology, and inspect the fundamental physical parameters of antiperovskites, focusing on their potential as functional materials for energy and information technologies.

Keywords: Absorption coefficient; Band structure; Dielectric constant; Figure of merit; Power conversion efficiency.