Investigating the effects of hydrostatic pressure on the physical properties of cubic Sr(3)BCl(3) (B = As, Sb) for improved optoelectronic applications: A DFT study

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET), Khulna, 9203, Bangladesh.

Published on:

Abstract

This article explores changes in the structural, electronic, elastic, and optical properties of the novel cubic SrBCl (B = As, Sb) with increasing pressure. This research aims to decrease the electronic band gap of SrBCl (B = As, Sb) by applying pressure, with the objective of enhancing the optical properties and evaluating the potential of these compounds for use in optoelectronic applications. It has been revealed that both the lattice parameter and cell volume exhibit a declining pattern as pressure increases. At ambient pressure, analysis of the band structure revealed that both SrAsCl and SrSbCl are direct band gap semiconductors. With increasing pressure up to 25 GPa the electronic band gap of SrAsCl (SrSbCl) reduces from 1.70 (1.72) eV to 0.35 (0.10) eV. However, applying hydrostatic pressure enables the attainment of optimal bandgaps for SrAsCl and SrSbCl, offering theoretical backing for the adjustment of SrBCl (B = As, Sb) perovskite’s bandgaps. The electron and hole effective masses in this perovskite exhibit a gradual decrease as pressure rises from 0 to 25 GPa, promoting the conductivity of both electrons and holes. The elastic properties are calculated using the Thermo-PW tool, revealing that they are anisotropic, ductile, mechanically stable, and resistant to plastic deformation. Importantly, these mechanical properties of both compounds are significantly enhanced under pressure. Optical properties, including the absorption and extinction coefficients, dielectric function, refractive index, reflectivity, and loss function, were calculated within the 0-20 eV range under different pressure conditions. The calculated optical properties highlight the versatility and suitability of SrAsCl and SrSbCl perovskites for pressure-tunable optoelectronic devices.

Related Concept Videos

JoVE Research Video for Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes 02:58

24.4K

Crystal Field Theory
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on…

JoVE Research Video for Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes 02:46

38.9K

Tetrahedral Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than…

JoVE Research Video for Metallic Solids 02:37

17.2K

Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and…