Journal
NANOMATERIALS
Volume 11, Issue 10, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/nano11102595
Keywords
quaternary chalcogenides; topological insulators; disordered systems; kesterite; thermoelectrics
Categories
Funding
- University of Trento [CZTSHP10CONX70]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
This study introduces a candidate material for realizing a disorder-induced Topological Anderson Insulator in a real material system, demonstrating the potential for a novel topological phase in a easily-synthesized multinary, disordered compounds.
We present the first candidate for the realization of a disorder-induced Topological Anderson Insulator in a real material system. High-energy reactive mechanical alloying produces a polymorph of Cu2ZnSnS4 with high cation disorder. Density functional theory calculations show an inverted ordering of bands at the Brillouin zone center for this polymorph, which is in contrast to its ordered phase. Adiabatic continuity arguments establish that this disordered Cu2ZnSnS4 can be connected to the closely related Cu2ZnSnSe4, which was previously predicted to be a 3D topological insulator, while band structure calculations with a slab geometry reveal the presence of robust surface states. This evidence makes a strong case in favor of a novel topological phase. As such, the study opens up a window to understanding and potentially exploiting topological behavior in a rich class of easily-synthesized multinary, disordered compounds.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available