First Principles Study of the Photoelectric Properties of Alkaline Earth Metal (Be/Mg/Ca/Sr/Ba)-Doped Monolayers of MoS(2)

The energy band structure, density of states, and optical properties of monolayers of MoS(2) doped with alkaline earth metals (Be/Mg/Ca/Sr/Ba) are systematically studied based on first principles. The results indicate that all the doped systems have a great potential to be formed and structurally stable. In comparison to monolayer MoS(2), doping alkaline earth metals results in lattice distortions in the doped system. Therefore, the recombination of photogenerated hole–electron pairs is suppressed effectively. Simultaneously, the introduction of dopants reduces the band gap of the systems while creating impurity levels. Hence, the likelihood of electron transfer from the valence to the conduction band is enhanced, which means a reduction in the energy required for such a transfer. Moreover, doping monolayer MoS(2) with alkaline earth metals increases the static dielectric constant and enhances its polarizability. Notably, the Sr–MoS(2) system exhibits the highest value of static permittivity, demonstrating the strongest polarization capability. The doped systems exhibit a red-shifted absorption spectrum in the low-energy region. Consequently, the Be/Mg/Ca–MoS(2) systems demonstrate superior visible absorption properties and a favorable band gap, indicating their potential as photo-catalysts for water splitting.