Prediction of a Dirac state in monolayer TiB2
Abstract
We predict the existence of a Dirac state in a monolayer TiB2 sheet (m-TiB2), a two-dimensional metal diboride, based on first-principles calculations. The band structure of m-TiB2 is found to be characterized with anisotropic Dirac cones with the largest Fermi velocity of 0.57×106 m/s, which is about one-half of that of graphene. The Dirac point is located at the Fermi level between the K and Γ points, with the Dirac states arising primarily from the d orbitals of Ti. Freestanding m-TiB2 exhibits a bending instability, so that a planar m-TiB2 needs to be stabilized on a substrate. The calculation of m-TiB2 on a h-BN substrate reveals a negligible influence of the h-BN substrate on the electronic properties of m-TiB2. Our findings extend the Dirac materials to metal diborides.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review B
- Pub Date:
- October 2014
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevB.90.161402
- Bibcode:
- 2014PhRvB..90p1402Z
- Keywords:
-
- 61.46.-w;
- 68.55.-a;
- 73.22.-f;
- Nanoscale materials;
- Thin film structure and morphology;
- Electronic structure of nanoscale materials: clusters nanoparticles nanotubes and nanocrystals