Tunable properties of ZnSe/graphene heterostructure as a promising candidate for photo/electro-catalyst applications

The graphene-based Van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures show great potential for the next generation of photoelectronic nanodevices. Here, we constructed the ZnSe/graphene vdW heterojunction and investigated its structural, electronic, optical, transportable, and catalytic properties by using density functional theory (DFT). The results show that ZnSe is a direct semiconductor with a bandgap of 3.24 eV. The electron mobility of ZnSe is seven times higher than that of the hole, which is beneficial for the photogenerated hole-electron separation. Besides, the n-type Schottky to Ohmic contact transformation can be realized by applying an external electric field of 0.2 V/angstrom, and the underlying mechanism is discussed. Finally, the potential ability of photo/electrocatalysis for graphene/ZnSe heterostructure and electrocatalysis for ZnSe monolayer is also explored. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) can spontaneously activate in acid (PH = 1,2) and alkaline (PH > 9) media under light irradiation. The overpotential of oxygen reduction reaction reaches 0.42 eV, which indicates graphene/ZnSe heterostructure would be a potential electrocatalyst. For the HER process of ZnSe monolayer, the overpotential is significantly decreased to 0.23 eV by doping 3d transition metal atom. Consequently, we hope our work can provide useful guidance for designing practical ZnSe-based applications.