Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2025
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.21474 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Table of Contents:
- Carbon exhibits both a layered ground state structure that produces two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets and a non-layered diamond structure created under high pressure conditions. Motivated by this metastability relationship, we revisit the ground state structure of metal dichalcogenides that are known to have non-layered pyrite-type structure. Ultrathin films of pyrite-type ZnSe$_2$ spontaneously transform into a layered phase. This phase is identified as a ground state, and the monolayer exhibits strong elastic anisotropy and a semiconducting bandgap larger than that of the pyrite phase by a factor of two. We demonstrate that a two-valued but directional potential energy surface exists along a Bain-like distortion path, hiding the layered ground state. This work implies that many 2D materials are hidden in non-layered materials and connects 2D materials science with surface and high-pressure science.