Specific features investigation of the AE2ZnN2 (AE=Ca, Sr, Ba) compounds from indirect to direct band gap: DFT study

First principles calculations are performed to investigate the structural, electronic, optical and transport properties of the ternary semiconducting compounds AE(2)ZnN(2) (AE= Ca, Sr, Ba) in the tetragonal crystal phase by using a modern and highly accurate full potential linearized augmented plane wave method. In the tetragonal ternary nitrides AE(2)ZnN(2), Zn has a unusual linear coordination with nitrogen (N-Zn-N) along the c-axis. The band gap values for the AE(2)ZnN(2) compounds are calculated with the modified Becke-Johnson (mBJ) approximation. The band gap calculation suggests that these materials are extremely attractive for excellent thermoelectric performance. Subsequently, semi-classic Boltzmann transport theory has been utilized to calculate the thermoelectric properties of the AE(2)ZnN(2) (AE= Ca, Sr, Ba) compounds. The band gap of these compounds varies by replacing the cation AE and the band gap dependent optical parameters are predicted for experimental perspectives. In addition, the optical response suggests that the AE(2)ZnN(2) materials are useful for optoelectronic devices. Furthermore, the figures of merit, thermo power, power factor, electrical and thermal conductivity are calculated for each compound.