Intriguing electronic structure and photocatalytic performance of blueP–SMSe and blueP–SeMS (M = Mo, W) van der Waals heterostructures

Van der Waals (vdW) combination of two dimensional (2D) materials in the form of a heterostructure is a widely accepted tool for tailoring properties and designing novel nanoelectronic and energy harvesting applications. The stacking geometry and electronic and photocatalytic properties of vdW heterostructures based on blueP and Janus SMSe and SeMS (M = Mo, W) monolayers are investigated by using first principles calculations. Two alternate stacking configurations of both heterostructures with an alternative order of chalcogen atoms in SMSe and SeMS (M = Mo, W) are constructed and found to be energetically and thermally stable. The feasible stackings of both heterostructures exhibit type-II band alignment (except blueP–SeMoS), hence are promising for light detection devices. In particular, the suitable positions of the valence and conduction band edges of all the heterostructures (except blueP–SMoSe) are appropriate for standard redox potentials and are capable of splitting water into O(2)/H(2)O and H(+)/H(2). The findings pave the way for potential applications of these heterobilayer systems in future nanoelectronics, optoelectronics and photocatalytic water dissociation.