Programming heterophase structure in two-dimensional palladium telluride by reaction diffusion

M Mengting Huang (School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices) S Shuangquan Qu (School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices) Z Ze Hua (Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems and School of Medical Technology) Y Yiming Ding (School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices) B Binbin Zhang (School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices) M Mingzhu Xu (School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices) S Shibo Wang Y Yuanxiao Ma (School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices) Y Yu Zhang (Xiangya Hospital, Central South University Changsha China) H Huixia Yang (School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices) S Shiqi Yang (State Key Laboratory for Mesoscopic Physics and Frontiers Science Center for Nano-optoelectronics, School of Physics) R Ruiwen Shao (Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems and School of Medical Technology) X Xiaolong Xu Y Yeliang Wang (School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices)

Abstract

Two-dimensional heterophase structures integrate distinct crystalline phases to enable novel electronic and quantum functionalities through atomic-scale interfaces, yet their controlled synthesis remains challenging due to difficulties in stabilizing metastable phases and achieving atomically defined interfaces. Here, we presented a reaction-diffusion-based approach for the spatially controlled fabrication of Pd–Te heterostructures with tailored phase compositions. By designing a vertical Pd/Te architecture and precisely regulating the Pd:Te ratio, we suppressed undesired in-plane diffusion and achieved selective phase formation through solid-state reactions. By employing an in situ optical-monitoring chemical vapor deposition strategy and subsequently characterizing the samples by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy after the reaction, we revealed that interfacial diffusion—driven by local stoichiometric deviations—triggered phase transformations and interface migration. This process was quantitatively described via Fick's law. We demonstrated the synthesis of patterned heterophase structures with atomically sharp interfaces and diverse geometries. Our work elucidates the complex diffusion mechanism and validates reaction diffusion as a novel, feasible strategy for the fabrication of heterophase structures, thereby providing a fresh pathway for advancing phase engineering.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 129, Issue 1
Published July 06, 2026
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (14)

M

Mengting Huang

School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices

S

Shuangquan Qu

School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices

Z

Ze Hua

Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems and School of Medical Technology

Y

Yiming Ding

School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices

B

Binbin Zhang

School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices

M

Mingzhu Xu

School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices

S

Shibo Wang

Y

Yuanxiao Ma

School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices

Y

Yu Zhang

Xiangya Hospital, Central South University Changsha China

H

Huixia Yang

School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices

S

Shiqi Yang

State Key Laboratory for Mesoscopic Physics and Frontiers Science Center for Nano-optoelectronics, School of Physics

R

Ruiwen Shao

Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems and School of Medical Technology

X

Xiaolong Xu

Y

Yeliang Wang

School of Integrated Circuits and Electronics, MIIT Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Quantum Structure and Devices