PyHTStack2D: A Python package for high-throughput homo/hetero stacking of 2D materials

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdWs) structures are the subject of extensive research in materials science, celebrated for their unique physical properties and potential technological applications. However, the diversity of stacking modes in 2D vdWs structures poses a challenge for research. In response to the complexity of the stacking process for these layered structures, we have developed a Python package, PyHTStack2D, specifically designed to support High-Throughput Stacking of 2D materials research. The package provides two primary functionalities: Firstly, it facilitates the batch stacking of homo- and heterostructures, with careful consideration of specific sequences and patterns, such as those observed in the 1T/2H phase transitions of transition metal dichalcogenides; Secondly, it aids in the efficient creation of computational directories and the generation of requisite shell scripts for the batch computation submissions of the stacked structures. By employing this package, we performed high-throughput computational simulations of properties such as electronic energy band structures and magnetic ground states of bilayers composed of 2H-TMDHs. These results have enabled us to identify the types of electronic band structures within these systems, providing critical insights into their potential applications in optoelectronics and photocatalysis. Furthermore, preliminary findings indicate the potential feasibility of generating bipolar magnetic semiconductors via the stacking of magnetic monolayers. The PyHTStack2D package provides an opportunity to perform efficient high-throughput calculations of 2D vdWs homo/heterostructures.