Efficient computational design of two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures: Band alignment, lattice mismatch, and machine learning

We develop a computational database, website applications (web-apps), and machine-learning (ML) models to accelerate the design and discovery of two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures. Using density functional theory (DFT) based lattice parameters and electronic band energies for 674 nonmetallic exfoliable 2D materials, we generate 226 779 possible bilayer heterostructures. We classify these heterostructures into type-I, -II, and -III systems according to Anderson's rule, which is based on the relative band alignments of the noninteracting monolayers. We find that type II is the most common and type III the least common heterostructure type. We subsequently analyze the chemical trends for each heterostructure type in terms of the Periodic Table of constituent elements. The band alignment data can also be used for identifying photocatalysts and high-work-function 2D metals for contacts. We validate our results by comparing them to experimental data as well as hybrid-functional predictions. Additionally, we carry out DFT calculations of a few selected systems (MoS2/WSe2, MoS2/h-BN, and MoSe2/CrI3), to compare the band-alignment description with the predictions from Anderson's rule. We develop web-apps to enable users to virtually create combinations of 2D materials and predict their properties. Additionally, we use ML tools to predict band-alignment information for 2D materials. The web-apps, tools, and associated data will be distributed through the JARVIS-HETEROSTRUCTURE website. Our analysis, results, and the developed web-apps can be applied to the screening and design applications, such as finding alternative photocatalysts, photodetectors, and high-work-function (WF) 2D-metal contacts.

Automated summary

The authors developed a computational database, website applications, and machine-learning models to accelerate the design and discovery of 2D heterostructures. They generated possible bilayer heterostructures using density functional theory and classified them into three types based on band alignments. They analyzed the chemical trends and validated the results using experimental and hybrid-functional predictions. Web-apps and ML tools were developed for property prediction and band-alignment information. The analysis, results, and applications can be valuable in screening and designing alternative photocatalysts, photodetectors, and high-WF 2D-metal contacts.