Theory-Guided Synthesis and Application Exploration of Arsenene and Antimonene
Abstract
This project allows Professor Zhongfang Chen, University of Puerto Rico (UPR), to synthesize and explore the applications of single-atom-thick layers of arsenic and antimony, namely arsenene and antimonene, guided by first principles computations. Arsenene and antimonene could be efficient semiconductors that have more applications than other two-dimensional (2D) materials. The typical 2D semiconductors of MoS2, MoSe2, WS2, WSe2 and black P have garnered tremendous interest for their unique electronic, optical and chemical properties. However, 2D semiconductors are still so limited that all bandgaps are below 2.0 eV, which have greatly restricted their applications, especially in optoelectronic devices with photoresponse in the blue and UV wave bands. Our very recent theoretical studies revealed that monolayered arsenene and antimonene both have wide bandgaps and high stability, arsenic and antimony can switch from being semi-metallic in bulk to semiconducting with band gaps larger than 2.0 eV as a single-atom layer, and further loading of tiny biaxial strain can transform them from indirect into direct band-gap semiconductors (Angew Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54, 3112. Highlighted as Research Highlight by Nature 2015, 517, 246). Such dramatic electronic structure transitions could open a new door for transistors with high on/off ratio, blue/UV optoelectronic devices, and mechanical sensors based on new 2D crystals. We are targeting at the most urgent challenges in developing such novel 2D materials: (a) facile and large-scale synthesis of arsenene and antimonene by liquid phase exfoliations as well as by chemical vapor decomposition; (b) understanding the intrinsic properties of these pristine 2-D nanomaterials and their derivatives; and (d) exploring their applications in nanoelectronics, optoelectronic, etc. Under this DoD support, we have performed large-scale DFT computations to investigate the properties of the arsenene, antimonene, their derivatives, and related two-dimensional nanomaterials, examined the edge stabilities and growth kinetics of Group 15 element monolayers. We have made very good progress in the liquid phase exfoliation of few-layer antimonene using DMSO and DMF solvents, the few-layer antimonenes have been achieved and the synthesized samples have been characterized following our original plan. During this grant period, we have also actively participated various outreach activities, such as offering ÒFun Chemistry in the KitchenÓ, mentoring a REU summer undergraduate student and a high school student for summer internship.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 25, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1510650
Entities
People
- Zhongfang Chen
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Puerto Rico