Theoretical study on ferroelectric nitrides with super-wurtzite structures for solar energy conversion applications

Polarized structured nitride semiconductors are attractive due to their unique and environment-friendly electronic properties. The stability, ferroelectricity and photocatalytic and photovoltaic properties of super-wurtzite Mg₂XN₃ (X = Bi, Mo, Nb, Sb, Ta, Tc and W) were determined based on first principles calculations in this study. The calculated results indicate that Mg₂XN₃ (X = Sb, Ta, Bi and Nb) are stable polar nitrides by phonon frequencies, elastic coefficients and ferroelectric analysis. Mg₂XN₃ (X = Sb, Ta and Nb) with large ferroelectric polarization strength could absorb ultraviolet light to promote photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production. Mg₂BiN₃ is a new excellent photovoltaic candidate due to its ideal energy band, high electron mobility, high absorption coefficient and large ferroelectric polarization strength.