The quest for a bidirectional auxetic, elastic, and enhanced fracture toughness material: Revisiting the mechanical properties of the <scp>BeH<sub>2</sub></scp> monolayers
Armando Antonio Morin-Martinez, Jessica Arcudia, Ximena Zárate, Miguel Eduardo Cifuentes‐Quintal, Gabriel Merino
Abstract
Abstract Herein we show a density functional theory‐based study performed on two recently predicted polymorphs of the BeH 2 monolayer, α‐BeH 2 and β‐BeH 2 . The α‐BeH 2 phase possesses an in‐plane negative Poisson's ratio (NPR), introducing it into the unique group of auxetic materials. Our assessment delves into the linear‐elastic and finite‐strain regimes to understand both polymorphs' structural and mechanical responses to deformation. We find that the in‐plane NPR is shown to be only parallel to the bonds in α‐BeH 2 and remains along the uniaxial tensile path. Concomitantly, an out‐of‐plane transition toward auxetic is also revealed in regions exhibiting conventional Poisson's ratios, making α‐BeH 2 a bidirectionally auxetic material. While phase transitions in β‐BeH 2 are triggered at very short strains, α‐BeH 2 displays excellent elasticity against tension, superior to that of most currently known 2D materials.