The structural, mechanical, electronic, optical and thermodynamic properties of t-X₃As₄ (X = Si, Ge and Sn) by first-principles calculations

The structural, mechanical, electronic, optical and thermodynamic properties of the t-X$_{\mathrm{3}}$As$_{\mathrm{4}}$ (X $=$ Si, Ge and Sn) with tetragonal structure have been investigated by first principles calculations. Our calculated results show that these compounds are mechanically and dynamically stable. By the study of elastic anisotropy, it is found that the anisotropic of the t-Sn$_{\mathrm{3}}$As$_{\mathrm{4}}$ is stronger than that of t-Si$_{\mathrm{3}}$As$_{\mathrm{4}}$ and t-Ge$_{\mathrm{3}}$As$_{\mathrm{4}}$. The band structures and density of states show that the t-X$_{\mathrm{3}}$As$_{\mathrm{4}}$ (Si, Ge and Sn) are semiconductors with narrow band gaps. Based on the analyses of electron density difference, in t-X$_{\mathrm{3}}$As$_{\mathrm{4}}$ As atoms get electrons, X atoms lose electrons. The calculated static dielectric constants, $\varepsilon_{1} (0)$, are 15.5, 20.0 and 15.1 eV for t-X$_{\mathrm{3}}$As$_{\mathrm{4}}$ (X $=$ Si, Ge and Sn), respectively. The Dulong-Petit limit of t-X$_{\mathrm{3}}$As$_{\mathrm{4}}$ is about 10 J mol$^{\mathrm{-1}}$K$^{\mathrm{-1}}$. The thermodynamic stability successively decreases from t-Si$_{\mathrm{3}}$As$_{\mathrm{4}}$ to t-Ge$_{\mathrm{3}}$As$_{\mathrm{4}}$ to t-Sn$_{\mathrm{3}}$As$_{\mathrm{4}}$.