Quantum Spin Hall Effect and Su-Schrieffer-Heeger Model Implementation in Novel C3N-based Dumbbell Morphologies

TL;DR

This paper investigates the topological properties of novel C3N-based dumbbell-shaped 2D materials, revealing non-trivial phases, band inversion, and topological signatures using first-principles calculations, Berry curvature, and SSH model analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a new family of C3N-based structures with unique morphologies and explores their topological phases and transport properties with advanced theoretical methods.

Findings

Identification of topological phases in C3N dumbbell structures

Observation of band inversion and Berry curvature effects

Distinct topological signatures in quasi-1D systems using SSH model

Abstract

Two-dimensional carbon nitride materials have been the center of attention for their diverse usage in energy harvesting, environmental remediation and nanoelectronic applications. A broad range of utilities with decent synthetic plausibility have made this family a sweet spot to dive into, whereas the underlying analytical aspects are yet to have prominence. Recently, using the machinaries of first principles, we reported a family of six different structures C3NX with a unique dumbbell-shaped morphology, functionalizing the recently synthesized monolayer of C3N. Here we have critically explored the non-trivial topological phases of the semimetallic Dumbbell C3NX sheets and nanoribbons. Spin-orbit coupling induced gap across the Fermi level, its subsequent tuning via an external electric field, portrayal of band inversion from the Berry curvature distribution and the evaluation of topological index using the Wannier charge center (WCC) firmly establishes the traces of topological footprint. The real space decimation scheme and Green function technique evaluate the underlying spectral information with corresponding transport characteristics. Fascinating features of these quasi-1D systems are observed utilizing the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model where different twisted phases reveal distinct topological signatures even in a low atomic mass system like DB C4N.