Structural stability, mechanical, electronic and optical behaviour of RbXS2 (X = Y and La) under high pressure: A first-principle study

Abstract The high-pressure behaviour of the ternary sulphides, RbXS2 (X = Y and La), has been investigated by using first-principle calculations based on density functional theory. Upon applying hydrostatic pressure, the unit-cell parameters (a, c) decrease with different rates, indicating an anisotropic axial compression. The most of RbYS2 and RbLaS2 crystals compressibility comes from Rb+1–S−2 bonds. Elastic constants and their dependence on pressure and related mechanical properties have been reported and analysed. From Pugh's criterion, RbYS2 and RbLaS2 turn from brittle to ductile material for applied pressures beyond 3.1 GPa and 2.9 GPa, respectively. Stability criteria show that RbYS2 and RbLaS2 are not mechanically stable in α-NaFeO2 crystal structure above 20.63 GPa and 16.24 GPa, respectively. Both RbYS2 and RbLaS2 have indirect band gap, which decreases with increasing pressure. However, no indirect-direct band gap transition is observed for both materials. Finally, the calculated optical spectrum of both compounds exhibits an anisotropy and a broadening at high pressures.