Strain engineering and photocatalytic application of single-layer ReS$_2$

TL;DR

This study explores how uniaxial and shear strains affect the electronic and photocatalytic properties of single-layer ReS$_2$, revealing strain-induced bandgap transitions and potential for water splitting applications.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical analysis of strain effects on ReS$_2$, highlighting its stability, electronic transitions, and photocatalytic capabilities under different strain conditions.

Findings

ReS$_2$ remains dynamically stable under certain strains

An indirect-direct bandgap transition occurs under tensile strain

Strain enables ReS$_2$ to catalyze water splitting in acidic conditions

Abstract

We present a theoretical study on the electronic, dynamical, and photocatalytic properties of single-layer ReS$_2$ under uniaxial and shear strains. The single-layer ReS$_2$ shows strong anisotropic responses to straining. It remains dynamically stable for a wide range of $x$-axial strain, but becomes unstable for 2\% $y$-axial compressive strain. The single-layer ReS$_2$ is calculated to be an indirect bandgap semiconductor, and there is an indirect$-$direct bandgap transition under 1$-$5\% $x$-axial tensile straining. The single-layer ReS$_2$ is predicted incapable of catalyzing the water oxidation reaction. However, 1$-$5\% $y$-axial tensile strain can enable the single-layer ReS$_2$ for overall photocatalytic water splitting. Besides, the single-layer ReS$_2$ can also catalyze the overall water splitting and be most efficient under acidic water solutions with pH=3.8.