Insights into structural,electronic, optical and thermoelectric properties of WB and WAlB: a first principle study

Detailed investigations on structural, electronic, optical and thermoelectric properties of WB and WAlB have been done by using a full-potential linearised augmented plane wave method. Different approximations have been used to treat the exchange–correlation potential. The PBEsol-GGA method is found to be the most suitable for WB and WAlB. The obtained values of the equilibrium structural parameters such as lattice constants, volume and bulk modulus are in good agreement with the available experimental and theoretical data. The results of electronic charge density plots show that WB has a strong covalent bond between B-B and an ionic bond between W-B. In case of WAlB, the distance between any two atoms is more than the corresponding interatomic distance in WB. The band structure and density of states around the fermi level suggest that WB has a metallic nature and WAlB has a semimetal-like character. The optical properties are determined and analysed in detail for the first time. The larger reflectivity in the low-energy region (infrared) indicates that these materials can be used as a coating material to remove solar heating. The effects of temperature on thermoelectric parameters are also studied for the first time. High value power factor and high thermal conductivity suggest that WB and WAlB are potential candidates for thermoelectric technological applications.