Ab-initio-driven prediction of puckered penta-like PdPSeX (X O, S, Te) Janus monolayers: Study on the electronic, optical, mechanical and photocatalytic properties

A systematic investigation of the structural, mechanical, electronic, and optical properties of puckered penta-like PdPSeX (XO, S and Te) Janus monolayers has been performed by means of the plane wave density functional theory. It is confirmed that the pentagonal PdPSeX monolayers are dynamically and mechanical stable by means of analysis of their phonon dispersion curves and the Born condition under harmonic approximation, respectively. The PdPSeX Janus monolayers are disclosed as brittle two-dimensional materials (2DMs). The PBE (HSE06)-based calculations exhibit they are indirect semiconductors with bandgap values of 0.65 (1.44) eV, 1.20 (2.02) eV, and 0.98 (1.70) eV for PbPSeO, PbPSeS, and PbPSeTe monolayer, sequentially. The computational results demonstrate the PdPSeTe monolayer as the best suited candidate for visible light absorption and photocatalytic water splitting within the considered pentagonal PdPSeX monolayers. Our ab-initio-based outcomes provide an insight into the fundamental properties of the penta-like PdPSeX Janus structures and surely would motivate further experimental and theoretical studies to reveal the full application potential of this new type of 2DMs.