DFT based investigation of bulk mechanical, thermophysical and optoelectronic properties of PbTaSe2 topological semimetal

Abstract

PbTaSe2 is a non-centrosymmetric topological semimetal. In this work we have explored the structural, elastic, mechanical, bonding, electronic, acoustic, thermal, and optical properties of PbTaSe2. The electronic bond structure calculations confirm semi-metallic character. Fermi surface topology shows both electron and hole sheets. The single crystal elastic constants reveal that PbTaSe2 is elastically stable. The compound is soft, brittle, and highly machinable at the same time. It also possesses very high level of dry lubricity. Various anisotropy indicators suggest that PbTaSe2 is elastically anisotropic with layered character. The phonon dynamics has been investigated. Phonon dispersion plot shows that the compound is dynamically stable with a clear frequency gap between the acoustic and optical branches. The Debye temperature, phonon thermal conductivity, and melting temperature of PbTaSe2 is low. The compound has medium Grüneisen parameter. The bonding character is mainly dominated by ionic bonding with some metallic contribution. The optical parameters have been studied in detail. The optical spectra reveal metallic features. The compound reflects visible light very efficiently (reflectance above 60%). It is also an efficient absorber of the ultraviolet light. The compound exhibits significant optical anisotropy with respect to the polarization directions of the incident electric field.