  Two dimensional (2D) layered transition-metal-based tellurides (chalcogens)
are known to harness their surface atoms characteristics to enhance
topographical activities for energy conversion, storage, and magnetic
applications. High surface energy due to unsaturated dangling bonds and larger
lateral size than the thickness (volume) makes them a potential candidate for
emerging electronics. Nevertheless, the gradual stacking of each sheet alters
the surface atoms' subtle features, such as lattice expansion, leading to
several phenomena and rendering tunable properties. In the present work, we
have monitored thickness-dependent properties of the 2D CoTe2 sheets from
nanoscale mechanics, tribology, surface potential distributions, interfacial
interaction and magnetism using atomically resolved spectroscopy and different
surface probe techniques, in conjunction with theoretical investigations:
density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD). The variation in
properties observed in theoretical investigation unleashes the crucial role of
crystal planes of the CoTe2. The presented results are beneficial in expanding
the use of 2D telluride family in flexible electronics, piezo sensors,
tribo-generator, and next-generation memory devices.
