Advances in Two-Dimensional Crystals and Films

Dear Colleagues,

Since 2004, the innovation of graphene, lighting up advances in van der Waals layered crystals, has attracted great enthusiasm in studying other new-fashioned two-dimensional (2D) materials. Thus far, a variety of 2D crystals in the form of monoelements (Xenes), binary/ternary metal-chalcogenides (MX₂/AB₂X₄), and the newest transition metal carbide-/nitride-compounds (MXenes) has been explored. However, these findings of layered crystals are only the tip of the iceberg since numerous discoveries of new 2D materials are still to come.

“What could we do with layered structures with just the right layers?”, asked Richard Feynman in his famous lecture (1959). These layered materials which can be thinned down to atomic thickness at physical limit have demonstrated extraordinary electronic, optical, and mechanical properties that bulk counterparts would not be able to achieve. Today, research in novel 2D crystals is in full swing, and with its fascinating physical/chemical characteristics, 2D material technology has attracted considerable attention to inspiring future electronics/energy applications.

Therefore, given the theme of this Special Issue on “Advances in Two-Dimensional Crystals and Films”, we cordially invite specialists active in the field to submit either review or research articles on the fascinating topic of 2D technology. Here, targeted thrusts for applied material sciences as well as nanotechnology reveal the huge potential of 2D materials, including but not limited to the following topics:

• van der Waals crystal family:
  • 2D conductor: graphene, etc.
  • 2D semiconductor:
    • MoS₂, WSe₂, MoTe₂, HfSe₂ (transition metal dichalcogenides)
    • InSe, Ga₂Se₃ (III-VI compounds)
    • SnS₂ (IV-VI compounds)
  • 2D superconductor: NbSe₂, etc.
  • 2D insulator: h-BN, etc.
  • 2D magnetism: CrI₃, MnSe₂, etc.
• Recent unveiled 2D crystals:
  • Monoelement (Xenes)
  • Metal carbide/nitride compounds (MXenes)
• 2D lateral/vertical heterostructures
• Superlattices enabled by van der Waals 2D materials
• Doping/defect engineering in 2D materials
• Emerging Janus 2D materials
• CVD methodology: 2D materials synthesis from single crystal to large-scale thin film
• Site-specific synthesis based on CVD/ALD processes
• 2D materials applied for nano-electronics/photonics
• Energy storage/harvesting enabled by 2D materials

Dr. Chao-Hui Yeh
Dr. Henry Medina
Guest Editors

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• van der Waals (vdWs) 2D materials
• 2D crystals
• 2D heterostructure
• 2D superlattice
• Chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
• Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs)
• Xenes
• MXenes