Comparative first principles investigation on the structural, optoelectronic and vibrational properties of...

Three cardinal two-dimensional semiconductorsviz., AlC₃, BC₃and C₃N, closely resembling the graphene structure, are intriguing contenders for emerging optoelectronic and thermomechanical applications. Starting from a critical stability analysis, this density functional theory study delves into a quantitative assessment of structural, mechanical, electronic, optical, vibrational and thermodynamical properties of these monolayers as a function of biaxial strain(ε)in a sublinear regime(-2%⩽ε⩽4%)of elastic deformation. The structures with cohesive energies slightly smaller than graphene, manifest exceptional mechanical stiffness, flexibility and breaking stress. The mechanical parameters have been deployed to further cultivate acoustic attributes and thermal conductivity. The hexagonal structures with mixed ionic-covalent molecular bonds have indirect electronic band-gap and work-function acutely sensitive toε. Dispersions of optical dielectric function, energy loss, refractive index, extinction coefficient, reflectivity, absorption coefficient and conductivity are deciphered in the UV-Vis-NIR regime against strain, where particular frequency bands featuring high polarization, dissipation, absorbance or reflectance are identified. Phonon band-structure and density of states testify dynamic stability in the ground state for all systems except the compressed ones. A comprehensive group theoretical analysis is performed to cultivate rotational; infrared and Raman-active modes, and the nature of molecular vibrations is delineated. The red-shifting of phonon bands andE2g/A1gRaman peaks with increasingε, associates estimation of Grüneisen parameter. Finally, strain-induced alterations of thermodynamic quantities such as entropy, enthalpy, free energy, heat capacity and Debye temperature are studied, followed by a molecular dynamics-based stability assessment under canonical ensemble.