Structure search of two-dimensional systems using CALYPSO methodology

The dimensionality of structures allows materials to be classified into zero-, one-, two-, and threedimensional systems. Two-dimensional (2D) systems have attracted a great deal of attention and typically include surfaces, interfaces, and layered materials. Due to their varied properties, 2D systems hold promise for applications such as electronics, optoelectronics, magnetronics, and valleytronics. The design of 2D systems is an area of intensive research because of the rapid development of ab initiostructure-searching methods. In this paper, we highlight recent research progress on accelerating the design of 2D systems using the CALYPSO methodology. Challenges and perspectives for future developments in 2D structure prediction methods are also presented.     

A review of the interfacial properties of 2-D materials for energy storage and sensor applications

The discovery of two-dimensional (2D) materials like graphene inspired the researchers and scientists to develop new 2D materials. The 2D materials create extensive attention due to their novel electronic properties, large surface area, charging capacity, optical, biocompatible, unique physical and chemical properties. Many of these properties are an excellent requirement for an application of electrode for batteries and super-capacitors. The applications of 2D materials are not just confined to Opto and nano-electronics but a strong potential in gas, and biosensing technologies. The 2D materials are stackable through weak Van der Waals, therefore, used in alkali metal ion batteries as electrodes, this causes zero volume and area changes during the intercalation and deintercalation of alkali metal. Also, a large surface of 2D materials provides large storage capacity as compared to the bulk materials. The heterostructures based on 2D materials pay significant attention towards the optoelectronics, nanoelectronics and in alkali metal ion battery applications also. In this paper, we review the importance of heterostructure, stacking technique in interfacial synthesis, address their structural morphologies by the interface of 2D materials and its application for energy storage, gas, and biosensing applications. We will come up with an overview of interfacial characters and highlights about the advantages and individuality of 2D materials.     

Magnetic two-dimensional van der Waals materials forspintronic devices

Magnetic two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdWs) materials and their heterostructures attract increasing attention in the spintronics community due to their various degrees of freedom such as spin, charge, and energy valley, which may stimulate potential applications in the field of low-power and high-speed spintronic devices in the future. This review begins with introducing the long-range magnetic order in 2D vdWs materials and the recent progress of tunning their properties by electrostatic doping and stress. Next, the proximity-effect, current-induced magnetization switching, and the related spintronic devices (such as magnetic tunnel junctions and spin valves) based on magnetic 2D vdWs materials are presented. Finally, the development trend of magnetic 2D vdWs materials is discussed. This review provides comprehensive understandings for the development of novel spintronic applications based on magnetic 2D vdWs materials.     

The rise of two-dimensional MoS2 for catalysis

Two-dimensional (2D) MoS₂ is used as a catalyst or support and has received increased research interest because of its superior structural and electronic properties compared with those of bulk structures. In this article, we illustrate the active sites of 2D MoS₂ and various strategies for enhancing its intrinsic catalytic activity. The recent advances in the use of 2D MoS₂-based materials for applications such as thermocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis are discussed. We also discuss the future opportunities and challenges for 2D MoS₂-based materials, in both fundamental research and industrial applications.     

Two-dimensional materials-decorated microfiber devices for pulse generation and shaping in fiber lasers

Two-dimensional(2D) materials have been regarded as a promising nonlinear optical medium for fabricating versatile optical and optoelectronic devices. Among the various photonic applications, the employment of 2D materials as nonlinear optical devices such as saturable absorbers for ultrashort pulse generation and shaping in ultrafast lasers is one of the most striking aspects in recent years. In this paper, we review the recent progress of 2D materials based pulse generation and soliton shaping in ultrafast fiber lasers, and particularly in the context of 2D materials-decorated microfiber photonic devices. The fabrication of 2D materials-decorated microfiber photonic devices, high performance mode-locked pulse generation, and the nonlinear soliton dynamics based on pulse shaping method are discussed. Finally, the challenges and the perspective of the 2D materials-based photonic devices as well as their applications are also discussed.     

二维原子晶体的低电压扫描透射电子显微学研究

二维原子晶体材料,如石墨烯和过渡金属硫族化合物等,具有不同于其块体的独特性能,有望在二维半导体器件中得到广泛应用.晶体中的结构缺陷对材料的物理化学性能有直接的影响,因此研究结构缺陷和局域物性之间的关联是当前二维原子晶体研究中的重要内容,需要高空间分辨率的结构研究手段.由于绝大部分二维原子晶体在高能量高剂量的电子束辐照下容易发生结构损伤,利用电子显微方法对二维原子晶体缺陷的研究面临诸多挑战.低电压球差校正扫描透射电子显微(STEM)技术的发展,一个主要目标就是希望在不损伤结构的前提下对二维原子晶体的本征结构缺陷进行研究.在STEM下,多种不同的信号能够被同步采集,包括原子序数衬度高分辨像和电子能量损失谱等,是表征二维原子晶体缺陷的有力工具,不但能对材料的本征结构进行单原子尺度的成像和能谱分析,还能记录材料结构的动态变化.通过调节电子束加速电压和电子辐照剂量,扫描透射电子显微镜也可以作为电子刻蚀二维原子晶体材料的平台,用于加工新型纳米结构以及探索新型二维原子晶体的原位制备.本综述主要以本课题组在石墨烯和二维过渡金属硫族化合物体系的研究为例,介绍低电压扫描透射电子显微学在二维原子晶体材料研究中的实际应用.     

Recent progress on integrating two-dimensional materials with ferroelectrics for memory devices and photodetectors

Two-dimensional(2D) materials, such as graphene and Mo S2 related transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDC), have attracted much attention for their potential applications. Ferroelectrics, one of the special and traditional dielectric materials,possess a spontaneous electric polarization that can be reversed by the application of an external electric field. In recent years, a new type of device, combining 2D materials with ferroelectrics, has been fabricated. Many novel devices have been fabricated, such as low power consumption memory devices, highly sensitive photo-transistors, etc. using this technique of hybrid systems incorporating ferroelectrics and 2D materials. This paper reviews two types of devices based on field effect transistor(FET) structures with ferroelectric gate dielectric construction(termed Fe FET). One type of device is for logic applications, such as a graphene and TMDC Fe FET for fabricating memory units. Another device is for optoelectric applications, such as high performance phototransistors using a graphene p-n junction. Finally, we discuss the prospects for future applications of 2D material Fe FET.     

The rise of two-dimensional MoS<Subscript>2</Subscript> for catalysis

Two-dimensional (2D) MoS₂ is used as a catalyst or support and has received increased research interest because of its superior structural and electronic properties compared with those of bulk structures. In this article, we illustrate the active sites of 2D MoS₂ and various strategies for enhancing its intrinsic catalytic activity. The recent advances in the use of 2D MoS₂-based materials for applications such as thermocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photocatalysis are discussed. We also discuss the future opportunities and challenges for 2D MoS₂-based materials, in both fundamental research and industrial applications.     

Light–matter interaction of 2D materials:Physics and device applications

In the last decade, the rise of two-dimensional(2D) materials has attracted a tremendous amount of interest for the entire field of photonics and opto-electronics. The mechanism of light–matter interaction in 2D materials challenges the knowledge of materials physics, which drives the rapid development of materials synthesis and device applications. 2D materials coupled with plasmonic effects show impressive optical characteristics, involving efficient charge transfer, plasmonic hot electrons doping, enhanced light-emitting, and ultrasensitive photodetection. Here, we briefly review the recent remarkable progress of 2D materials, mainly on graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides, focusing on their tunable optical properties and improved opto-electronic devices with plasmonic effects. The mechanism of plasmon enhanced light–matter interaction in 2D materials is elaborated in detail, and the state-of-the-art of device applications is comprehensively described. In the future, the field of 2D materials holds great promise as an important platform for materials science and opto-electronic engineering, enabling an emerging interdisciplinary research field spanning from clean energy to information technology.     

Evaluation of Charged Defect Energy in Two-Dimensional Semiconductors for Nanoelectronics: The WLZ Extrapolation Method

Defects play a central role in controlling the electronic properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials and realizing the industrialization of 2D electronics. However, the evaluation of charged defects in 2D materials within first-principles calculation is very challenging and has triggered a recent development of the WLZ (Wang, Li, Zhang) extrapolation method. This method lays the foundation of the theoretical evaluation of energies of charged defects in 2D materials within the first-principles framework. Herein, the vital role of defects for advancing 2D electronics is discussed, followed by an introduction of the fundamentals of the WLZ extrapolation method. The ionization energies (IEs) obtained by this method for defects in various 2D semiconductors are then reviewed and summarized. Finally, the unique defect physics in 2D dimensions including the dielectric environment effects, defect ionization process, and carrier transport mechanism captured with the WLZ extrapolation method are presented. As an efficient and reasonable evaluation of charged defects in 2D materials for nanoelectronics and other emerging applications, this work can be of benefit to the community.     

Recent advances in two-dimensional layered and non-layered materials hybrid heterostructures

With the development of Moore's law, the future trend of devices will inevitably be shrinking and integration to further achieve size reduction. The emergence of new two-dimensional non-layered materials (2DNLMs) not only enriches the 2D material family to meet future development, but also stimulates the global enthusiasm for basic research and application technologies in the 2D field. Van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures, in which two-dimensional layered materials (2DLMs) are physically stacked layer by layer, can also occur between 2DLMs and 2DNLMs hybrid heterostructures, providing an alternative platform for nanoelectronics and optoelectronic applications. Here, we outline the recent developments of 2DLMs/2DNLMs hybrid heterostructures, with particular emphasis on major advances in synthetic methods and applications. And the categories and crystal structures of 2DLMs and 2DNLMs are also shown. We highlight some promising applications of the heterostructures in electronics, optoelectronics, and catalysis. Finally, we provide conclusions and future prospects in the 2D materials field.     

2D noncarbon materials-based nonlinear optical devices for ultrafast photonics [Invited]

Ultrafast lasers play an important role in a variety of applications ranging from optical communications to medical diagnostics and industrial materials processing. Graphene and other two-dimensional(2D) noncarbon materials, including topological insulators(TIs), transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDCs), phosphorene, bismuthene, and antimonene, have witnessed a very fast development of both fundamental and practical aspects in ultrafast photonics since 2009. Their unique nonlinear optical properties enable them to be used as excellent saturable absorbers(SAs) that have fast responses and broadband operation, and can be easily integrated into lasers. Here, we catalog and review recent progress in the exploitation of these 2D noncarbon materials in this emerging field. The fabrication techniques, nonlinear optical properties, and device integration strategies of 2D noncarbon materials are first introduced with a comprehensive view. Then, various mode-locked/Q-switched lasers(e.g., fiber, solid-state, disk, and waveguide lasers) based on 2D noncarbon materials are reviewed. In addition, versatile soliton pulses generated from the mode-locked fiber lasers based on 2D noncarbon materials are also summarized. Finally, future challenges and perspectives of 2D materials-based lasers are addressed.     

二维材料的转移方法

二维材料及其异质结在电子学、光电子学等领域具有潜在应用,是延续摩尔定律的候选电子材料.二维材料的转移对于物性测量与器件构筑至关重要.本文综述了一些具有代表性的转移方法,详细介绍了各个方法的操作步骤,并基于转移后样品表面清洁程度、转移所需时间以及操作难易等方面对各个转移方法进行了对比归纳.经典干、湿法转移技术是进行物理堆叠制备原子级平整且界面清晰范德瓦耳斯异质结的常用手段,结合惰性气体保护或在真空条件下操作还可以避免转移过程中二维材料破损和界面吸附.高效、无损大面积转移方法为二维材料异质结构建和材料本征物理化学性质测量提供了强有力的技术保障.转移技术的优化将进一步扩展二维材料在高温超导、拓扑绝缘体、低能耗器件、自旋谷极化、转角电子学和忆阻器等领域的研究.     

Database Construction for Two-Dimensional Material-Substrate Interfaces

Interfacial structures and interactions of two-dimensional(2D) materials on solid substrates are of fundamental importance for fabrications and applications of 2D materials. However, selection of a suitable solid substrate to grow a 2D material, determination and control of 2D material-substrate interface remain a big challenge due to the large diversity of possible configurations. Here, we propose a computational framework to select an appropriate substrate for epitaxial growth of 2D material and to predict possible 2D material-substrate interface structures and orientations using density functional theory calculations performed for all non-equivalent atomic structures satisfying the symmetry constraints. The approach is validated by the correct prediction of three experimentally reported 2D material-substrate interface systems with only the given information of two parent materials. Several possible interface configurations are also proposed based on this approach. We therefore construct a database that contains these interface systems and has been continuously expanding. This database serves as preliminary guidance for epitaxial growth and stabilization of new materials in experiments.     

二维量子片及其光学研究进展

以石墨烯为代表的二维材料因其独特的结构和优异性能而受到广泛关注。随着二维材料在无限小的方向不断发展,二维(材料)量子片逐渐引起人们极大的兴趣。二维量子片不仅保留了二维材料的本征特性,而且表现出量子限域和突出的边缘效应,为二维材料的潜在应用带来全新机遇。本文详细介绍了二维量子片的基本概念,制备现状与光学性能的研究进展,特别强调了二维量子片本征、普适和规模制备的实现及其重大意义。此外,重点关注了二维量子片的光致发光特性以及在非线性光学、固态发光器件等领域的应用。最后,分析了二维量子片的发展趋势以及面临的主要挑战。     

Band gap engineering of atomically thin two-dimensional semiconductors

Atomically thin two-dimensional(2D) layered materials have potential applications in nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, and integrated optoelectronics. Band gap engineering of these 2D semiconductors is critical for their broad applications in high-performance integrated devices, such as broad-band photodetectors, multi-color light emitting diodes(LEDs), and high-efficiency photovoltaic devices. In this review, we will summarize the recent progress on the controlled growth of composition modulated atomically thin 2D semiconductor alloys with band gaps tuned in a wide range, as well as their induced applications in broadly tunable optoelectronic components. The band gap engineered 2D semiconductors could open up an exciting opportunity for probing their fundamental physical properties in 2D systems and may find diverse applications in functional electronic/optoelectronic devices.     

A deep view in cultural heritage—confocal micro X-ray spectroscopy for depth resolved elemental analysis

Quantitative X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) techniques have been developed mostly for the elemental analysis of homogeneous bulk or very simple layered materials. Further on, the microprobe version of both techniques is applied for 2D elemental mapping of surface heterogeneities. At typical XRF/PIXE fixed geometries and exciting energies (15–25 keV and 2–3 MeV, respectively), the analytical signal (characteristic X-ray radiation) emanates from a variable but rather extended depth within the analyzed material, according to the exciting probe energy, set-up geometry, specimen matrix composition and analyte. Consequently, the in-depth resolution offered by XRF and PIXE techniques is rather limited for the characterization of materials with micrometer-scale stratigraphy or 3D heterogeneous structures. This difficulty has been over-passed to some extent in the case of an X-ray or charged particle microprobe by creating the so-called confocal geometry. The field of view of the X-ray spectrometer is spatially restricted by a polycapillary X-ray lens within a sensitive microvolume formed by the two inter-sectioned focal regions. The precise scanning of the analyzed specimen through the confocal microvolume results in depth-sensitive measurements, whereas the additional 2D scanning microprobe possibilities render to element-specific 3D spatial resolution (3D micro-XRF and 3D micro-PIXE). These developments have contributed since 2003 to a variety of fields of applications in environmental, material and life sciences. In contrast to other elemental imaging methods, no size restriction of the objects investigated and the non-destructive character of analysis have been found indispensable for cultural heritage (CH) related applications. The review presents a summary of the experimental set-up developments at synchrotron radiation beamlines, particle accelerators and desktop spectrometers that have driven methodological developments and applications of confocal X-ray microscopy including depth profiling speciation studies by means of confocal X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The solid mathematical formulation developed for the quantitative in-depth elemental analysis of stratified materials is exemplified and depth profile reconstruction techniques are discussed. Selected CH applications related to the characterization of painted layers from paintings and decorated artifacts (enamels, glasses and ceramics), but also from the study of corrosion and patina layers in glass and metals, respectively, are presented. The analytical capabilities, limitations and future perspectives of the two variants of the confocal micro X-ray spectroscopy, 3D micro-XRF and 3D micro-PIXE, with respect to CH applications are critically assessed and discussed.     

Low-frequency interlayer vibration modes in two-dimensional layered materials

Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials have been attracted tremendous research interest because of their novel photoelectric properties. If a single atomic layer instead of individual atoms is taken as a rigid motion object, two unique interlayer vibrations, i.e. compression/breathing and shear motions, at ultra-low frequencies can be expected and actually have been observed in many layered materials. The vibrations stem from the interlayer van der Waals interaction and can be well described by a conventional linear-chain model in most cases. The vibration frequencies strongly depend on layer thickness, which enables an accurate determination of layer numbers. A quick and nondestructive determination of flake thickness is particularly important for the materials, since the physical properties can be dramatically changed in the cases of several atomic layers. As a measure of interlayer coupling, the low-frequency modes are also sensitive to the stacking methods of atomic layers and the overlapping of different kinds of 2D materials. This allows the modes to play a key role in the applications like van der Waals heterojunctions. In this paper, we will give a brief review on the experimental observations and theoretical understanding of the interlayer modes in several typical 2D systems, as well as their actual and potential applications.     

MR imaging with phase encoding of intermolecular multiple quantum coherences

Novel 2D and 3D pulse sequences producing images through the phase encoding of intermolecular multiple quantum coherences (i-MQCs) are presented. The signal acquired with these sequences is free from intermolecular zero quantum coherences (i-ZQCs) which are not phase encoded and additional phase cycling eliminates artifacts. Phase encoding during the n-quantum evolution period provides n times the resolution expected from equivalent phase encoding of the reconverted single quantum coherences. These sequences have potential applications for producing i-MQC images of biological tissues as well as nonbiological materials with substantial amounts of water.     

Magnetic van der Waals materials: Synthesis,structure, magnetism,and their potential applications

As the family of magnetic materials is rapidly growing, two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) magnets have attracted increasing attention as a platform to explore fundamental physical problems of magnetism and their potential applications. This paper reviews the recent progress on emergent vdW magnetic compounds and their potential applications in devices. First, we summarize the current vdW magnetic materials and their synthetic methods. Then, we focus on their structure and the modulation of magnetic properties by analyzing the representative vdW magnetic materials with different magnetic structures. In addition, we pay attention to the heterostructures of vdW magnetic materials, which are expected to produce revolutionary applications of magnetism-related devices. To motivate the researchers in this area, we finally provide the challenges and outlook on 2D vdW magnetism.