Earth-abundant silicon-, phosphorus-, and sulfur-related
compounds
are crucial for optoelectronic application. Specifically, experimentally
proven monolayer SiP has attracted a great deal of attention in above
listed field owing to its unique properties but is plagued with challenges
such as photocorrosion and poor charge separation. Moreover, theoretical
understanding on the relationship of the interface and photocatalytic
activity in SiP-based chemicals is not well understood. In this work,
hybrid functional first-principles calculations were used to explore
the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of SiP–PtS2 heterostructure. Further examination of phonon, ab initio
molecular dynamics (AIMD), and elastic property simulations confirms
its dynamical stability. Its computed band gap of 1.59 eV is suitable
for maximizing solar energy conversion efficiency, with noticeable
strong absorption coefficients of 105 cm–1 order across visible–ultraviolet domains, asymmetric decent
carrier mobility (∼103 cm2 V–1 s–1), and low exciton binding energy (0.56 eV).
Differences in charge density and Bader and Mulliken population analyses
reveal that charge flows from the SiP to the PtS2 layers,
performing the dual functions of segregating photoinduced charge carriers
and increasing their lifetimes. The relative band alignment of the
monolayers promotes a spatial separation of the charges. An important
feature of this heterostructure is that the band edges cross the water
redox potential at pH of 0 upon −2% of compressive biaxial
straining, with ΔG for hydrogen evolution reaction
(HER) barrier lower than −0.2 eV. The quadratic relationship
between biaxial strain and atomic energy indicates that both the system
and strains are elastic. Redox thermodynamic analysis predicts facile
hydrogen production on the heterostructure. In particular, the calculated
maximum solar power conversion efficiency (PCE) and solar-to-hydrogen
(STH) efficiency can reach 22.9 and 23.8%, respectively.