Structural, elastic, electronic, andoptical properties of layered TiNX (X = F, Cl, Br, I) compounds: a density functional theory study

Titanium nitride halides, TiNX (X = F, Cl, Br, I) in the α-phase (orthorhombic) are exciting quasi two-dimensional (2D) electronic systems exhibiting a fascinating series of electronic ground states. Pristine TiNX are semiconductors with varying energy gaps and possess attractive properties for potential applications in optoelectronics, photovoltaics, and thermoelectrics. Alkali metal intercalated TiNCl becomes superconducting at reasonably high temperature. We have revisited the electronic band structure of TiNX using density functional theory (DFT) based calculations. The atomic orbital resolved partial electronic energy densities of states are calculated together with the total density of states (TDOS). The structural and elastic properties have been investigated in details for the first time. The elastic anisotropy has been explored. The optical properties of TiNX are studied for the first time. The Debye temperatures have been calculated and the related thermal and phonon parameters are discussed. The calculated physical parameters are compared with existing theoretical and experimental results and showed fair agreement. TiNX are found to reflect electromagnetic radiation strongly in the mid ultraviolet region. The elastic properties show high degree of anisotropy. The effect of halogen atoms on various structural, elastic, electronic, and thermal properties in TiNX are also discussed in detail.