Point Defects in a Two-Dimensional ZnSnN2 Nanosheet: A First-Principles Study on the Electronic and Magnetic Properties

The reduction of dimensionality is a very effective way to achieve appealing properties in two-dimensional materials (2DMs). First-principles calculations can greatly facilitate the prediction of 2DM properties and find possible approaches to enhance their performance. We employed first-principles calculations to gain insight into the impact of different types of point defects (vacancies and substitutional dopants) on the electronic and magnetic properties of a ZnSnN2 (ZSN) monolayer. We show that Zn, Sn, and N + Zn vacancy-defected structures are p-type conducting, while the defected ZSN with a N vacancy is n-type conducting. For substitutional dopants, we found that all doped structures are thermally and energetically stable. The most stable structure is found to be B-doping at the Zn site. The highest work function value (5.0 eV) has been obtained for Be substitution at the Sn site. Li-doping (at the Zn site) and Be-doping (at the Sn site) are p-type conducting, while B-doping (at the Zn site) is n-type conducting. We found that the considered ZSN monolayer-based structures with point defects are magnetic, except those with the N vacancy defects and Be-doped structures. The ab initio molecular dynamics simulations confirm that all substitutionally doped and defected structures are thermally stable. Thus, our results highlight the possibility of tuning the magnetism in ZnSnN2 monolayers through defect engineering.

Automated summary

The study provides insights into the impact of different types of point defects on the electronic and magnetic properties of a ZnSnN2 monolayer using first-principles calculations. The findings suggest that vacancies and substitutional dopants can influence the conductivity and stability of the structures, highlighting the potential for tuning magnetism in ZnSnN2 monolayers through defect engineering.