First-principles calculations for the structural and electronic properties of GaAs1−xPx nanowires

Abstract

Structural stability and electronic properties of GaAs[Formula: see text]P[Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) nanowires (NWs) in zinc-blende (ZB) ([Formula: see text] diameter [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Å) and wurtzite (WZ) ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Å) phases are investigated by first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). GaAs ([Formula: see text]) and GaP ([Formula: see text]) compound NWs in WZ phase are found energetically more stable than in ZB structural ones. In the case of GaAs[Formula: see text]P[Formula: see text] alloy NWs, the energetically favorable phase is found size and composition dependent. All the presented NWs have semiconductor characteristics. The quantum size effect is clearly demonstrated for all GaAs[Formula: see text]P[Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) NWs. The band gaps of ZB and WZ structural GaAs compound NWs with [Formula: see text] diameter [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Å and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Å, respectively are enlarged by the addition of concentrations of phosphorus for obtaining GaAs[Formula: see text]P[Formula: see text] NWs proportional to the x values around 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75.