A two-dimensional tetragonal yttrium nitride monolayer: a ferroelastic semiconductor with switchable anisotropic properties.

Title A two-dimensional tetragonal yttrium nitride monolayer: a ferroelastic semiconductor with switchable anisotropic properties.
Authors B. Xu; H. Xiang; J. Yin; Y. Xia; Z. Liu
Journal Nanoscale
DOI 10.1039/c7nr05679f
Abstract

We propose a two-dimensional (2D) tetragonal material: an yttrium nitride (t-YN) monolayer, with a distinguished combination of mechanical and electronic properties based on first-principles calculations. We find that the t-YN monolayer is a low direct band gap semiconductor (0.55 eV) with strong anisotropic mechanical and electronic properties. We also identify that the t-YN monolayer to be a 2D ferroelastic material with a reversible strain of about 14.4%, indicating that the anisotropic properties of the t-YN monolayer can be switched by applying external stress. Furthermore, the moderate-switching barrier (33 meV/atom) of ferroelastic lattice rotation renders the switchable anisotropic properties accessible experimentally. These outstanding properties make the t-YN monolayer a promising switchable anisotropic 2D material for electronic and mechanical applications.

Citation B. Xu; H. Xiang; J. Yin; Y. Xia; Z. Liu.A two-dimensional tetragonal yttrium nitride monolayer: a ferroelastic semiconductor with switchable anisotropic properties.. Nanoscale. 2017;10(1):215221. doi:10.1039/c7nr05679f

Related Elements

Yttrium

See more Yttrium products. Yttrium (atomic symbol: Y, atomic number: 39) is a Block D, Group 3, Period 5 element with an atomic weight of 88.90585. Yttrium Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of yttrium's shells is [2, 8, 18, 9, 2] and its electron configuration is [Kr] 4d1 5s2. The yttrium atom has a radius of 180 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 219 pm. Yttrium was discovered by Johann Gadolin in 1794 and first isolated by Carl Gustav Mosander in 1840. In its elemental form, Yttrium has a silvery white metallic appearance. Yttrium has the highest thermodynamic affinity for oxygen of any element. Elemental YttriumYttrium is not found in nature as a free element and is almost always found combined with the lanthanides in rare earth minerals. While not part of the rare earth series, it resembles the heavy rare earths which are sometimes referred to as the "yttrics" for this reason. Another unique characteristic derives from its ability to form crystals with useful properties. The name yttrium originated from a Swedish village near Vaxholm called Yttbery where it was discovered.

Nitrogen

See more Nitrogen products. Nitrogen is a Block P, Group 15, Period 2 element. Its electron configuration is [He]2s22p3. Nitrogen is an odorless, tasteless, colorless and mostly inert gas. It is the seventh most abundant element in the universe and it constitutes 78.09% (by volume) of Earth's atmosphere. Nitrogen was discovered by Daniel Rutherford in 1772.

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