Tunable electronic properties of GaS-SnS₂ heterostructure by strain and electric field

Vertically stacked heterostructures have received extensive attention because of their tunable electronic structures and outstanding optical properties. In this work, we study the structural, electronic, and optical properties of vertically stacked GaS-SnS₂ heterostructure under the frame of density functional theory. We find that the stacked GaS-SnS₂ heterostructure is a semiconductor with a suitable indirect band gap of 1.82 eV, exhibiting a type-II band alignment for easily separating the photo-generated carriers. The electronic properties of GaS-SnS₂ heterostructure can be effectively tuned by an external strain and electric field. The optical absorption of GaS-SnS₂ heterostructure is more enhanced than those of the GaS monolayer and SnS₂ monolayer in the visible light region. Our results suggest that the GaS-SnS₂ heterostructure is a promising candidate for the photocatalyst and photoelectronic devices in the visible light region.