On 2-Factors Splitting an Embedded Graph into Two Plane Graphs

We investigate 2-planarizing 2-factors, i.e. 2-factors of embedded graphs so that cutting along the cycles of the 2-factor we get two plane graphs where the cycles of the 2-factors are a spanning set of face boundaries in each of the graphs. We will give necessary criteria for an abstract graph to have an embedding with a 2-planarizing 2-factor as well as necessary criteria for embedded graphs to have such a 2-factor. Along the way, we discuss to which degree classical results from planar hamiltonicity theory can be extended in our framework. In addition we present computational results on how common 2-planarizing 2-factors are in small cubic graphs.