Strong 1D localization and highly anisotropic electron-hole masses in heavy-halogen functionalized graphenes

TL;DR

This study explores brominated and chlorinated derivatives of fluorographene and graphane, revealing their stability, unique 1D charge localization, anisotropic electron-hole masses, and promising optical properties near 1.5 eV for photovoltaic use.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the stability, electronic structure, and optical properties of halogenated graphene derivatives, highlighting their potential for photovoltaic applications.

Findings

Brominated and chlorinated fluorographene are as stable as graphane.

Charge carriers exhibit significant 1D localization.

Optical absorption peaks are near 1.5 eV, suitable for photovoltaics.

Abstract

While halogenation of graphene presents a fascinating avenue to the construction of a chemically and physically diverse class of systems, their application in photovoltaics has been hindered by often prohibitively large optical gaps. Herein we study the effects of partial bromination and chlorination on the structure and optoelectronic properties of both graphane and fluorographene. We find brominated and chlorinated fluorographene derivatives to be as stable as graphane making them likely to be durable even at elevated temperatures. A detailed investigation of the systems band structure reveals significant 1D localization of the charge carriers as well as strongly electron-hole asymmetric effective masses. Lastly using $G_0W_0$ and BSE, we investigate the optical adsorption spectra of the aforementioned materials whose first adsorption peak is shown to lie close to the optimal peak position for photovoltaic applications ($\approx 1.5$ eV).