Tunable type-II lateral MoSi2N4/WSi2N4 heterostructures for photocatalytic applications

• Published in: Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP Vol. 24; no. 42; pp. 26307 - 26315
• Main Authors: Zhou, Wanxin, Zhou, Xingchen, Yang, Cuihong, Zhang, Jingyun, Wang, Lu, Li, Qingfang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 02.11.2022
• Subjects: Electromagnetic absorption; First principles; Heterostructures; Lateral stability; Mathematical analysis; Monolayers; Optical properties; Optoelectronic devices; Photocatalysis; Tensile strain; Water splitting
• ISSN: 1463-9076; 1463-9084
• DOI: 10.1039/d2cp03406a

Combining various two-dimensional crystals has emerged as an exciting way to tailor the properties of lateral heterostructures for new-generation optoelectronic devices. Herein, a seamless lateral heterostructure based on MoSi2N4 and MoSi2N4 monolayers along armchair interfaces is predicted, and its electronic and optical properties are investigated by using first principles calculations. Our calculations indicate that the MoSi2N4/WSi2N4 lateral heterostructures (HSs) possess excellent stability due to the very small lattice mismatch. In contrast to their parent monolayers with wide indirect band gaps, all (MoSi2N4)m(WSi2N4)n lateral HSs are direct gap semiconductors, and their direct gap nature is independent of compositions and strains. The band alignment of (MoSi2N4)m(WSi2N4)16−m lateral HSs undergoes a quasi-type-I to type-II to quasi-type-II to quasi-type-I band transition with an increase in m. (MoSi2N4)8(WSi2N4)8 is a type-II semiconductor, and the band arrangement changes from type-II to quasi-type-I upon applying tensile strain. Compared with pristine materials, the band edges of MoSi2N4/WSi2N4 lateral HSs are more favorable for photocatalytic water splitting. Furthermore, MoSi2N4/WSi2N4 lateral HSs exhibit higher visible light absorption. These results greatly expand the optoelectronic applications of Mxenes in the 2D realm.