Synthesis of superconducting two-dimensional non-layered PdTe by interfacial reactions

Highly crystalline two-dimensional (2D) superconductors are emerging as promising platforms for exploring quantum phenomena. Currently, 2D crystalline superconductors are mainly limited to layered materials. In contrast, non-layered 2D superconductors have rarely been investigated due to the inherent challenges for their synthesis within the 2D limit. Here, we developed a facile approach for the synthesis of non-layered 2D superconductors by inducing interfacial reactions at solid–solid interfaces which naturally serve as 2D templates. Highly crystalline 2D PdTe, a typical non-layered superconductor, has been successfully synthesized via this approach. The obtained 2D PdTe exhibited 2D superconductivity with thickness-dependent onset critical temperatures as low as ~2.56 K, lower than that of bulk PdTe. In addition to PdTe, other materials including 2D PtTe have been synthesized via this approach. Our work offers a controlled synthetic route to 2D non-layered materials with intriguing properties for fundamental research and practical applications. Current synthesis of 2D crystalline superconductors mainly limits them to layered materials. Now, crystalline, non-layered 2D PdTe has been synthesized by inducing interfacial reactions at a solid–solid interface, exhibiting 2D superconductivity with a thickness-dependent onset critical temperature of ~2.56 K.