Dynamical approach to the atomic and electronic structures of the ductile semiconductor Ag2S

Silver sulfide in monoclinic phase (a-Ag2S) has attracted significant attention owing to its metal-like ductility and promising thermoelectric properties near room temperature. However, first-principles studies on this material by density functional theory calculations have been challenging as both the symmetry and atomic structure of a-Ag2S predicted from such calculations are inconsistent with experimental findings. Here, we propose that a dynamical approach is imperative for correctly describing the structure of a-Ag2S. The approach is based on a combination of ab initio molecular dynamics simulation and deliberately chosen density functional considering both proper treatment of the van der Waals interaction and on-site Coulomb interaction. The obtained lattice parameters and atomic site occupations of a-Ag2S are in good agreement with experimental data. A stable phonon spectrum at room temperature can be obtained from this structure, which also yields a bandgap in accord with experimental measurements. The dynamical approach thus paves the way for studying this important ductile semiconductor in not only thermoelectric but also optoelectronic applications.

Automated summary

A dynamical approach is proposed to accurately describe the structure of Ag2S, a significant ductile semiconductor with promising thermoelectric and optoelectronic properties. The approach combines ab initio molecular dynamics simulation and density functional theory calculations, and successfully reproduces the experimental data.