Vertical Dipole Dominates Charge Carrier Lifetime in Monolayer Janus MoSSe

Abstract

Two-dimensional semiconductor materials with vertical dipoles are promising photocatalysts as vertical dipoles not only promote the electron–hole separation but also enhance the carrier redox ability. However, the influence of vertical dipoles on carrier recombination in such materials, especially the competing relationship between vertical dipoles and band gaps, is not yet clear. Herein, first-principles calculations and nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations were combined to clarify the influence of band gap and vertical dipole on the carrier lifetime in Janus MoSSe monolayer. By comparing with the results of MoS2 and MoSe2 as well as exploring the carrier lifetime of MoSSe under strain regulation, it has been demonstrated that the vertical dipole, rather than the band gap, is the dominant factor affecting the carrier lifetime. Strikingly, a linear relationship between the carrier lifetime and vertical dipole is revealed. These findings have important implications for the design of high-performance photocatalysts and optoelectronic devices.