The spectrum of two-dimensional (2D) and layered materials 'beyond graphene' offers a remarkable platform to study new phenomena in condensed matter physics. Among these materials, layered hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), with its wide bandgap energy (∼5.0-6.0 eV), has clearly established that 2D nitrides are key to advancing 2D devices. A gap, however, remains between the theoretical prediction of 2D nitrides 'beyond hBN' and experimental realization of such structures. Here we demonstrate the synthesis of 2D gallium nitride (GaN) via a migration-enhanced encapsulated growth (MEEG) technique utilizing epitaxial graphene. We theoretically predict and experimentally validate that the atomic structure of 2D GaN grown via MEEG is notably different from reported theory. Moreover, we establish that graphene plays a critical role in stabilizing the direct-bandgap (nearly 5.0 eV), 2D buckled structure. Our results provide a foundation for discovery and stabilization of 2D nitrides that are difficult to prepare via traditional synthesis.

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Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers and heterostructures have emerged as a compelling class of materials with transformative properties that may be harnessed for novel device technologies. These materials are commonly fabricated by exfoliation of flakes from bulk crystals, but wafer-scale epitaxy of single-crystal films is required to advance the field. This article reviews the fundamental aspects of epitaxial growth of van der Waals–bonded crystals specific to TMD films. The structural and electronic properties of TMD crystals are initially described along with sources and methods used for vapor phase deposition. Issues specific to TMD epitaxy are critically reviewed, including substrate properties and film-substrate orientation and bonding. The current status of TMD epitaxy on different substrate types is discussed along with characterization techniques for large-areaepitaxial films. Future directions are proposed, including developments in substrates, in situ and full-wafer characterization techniques, and heterostructure growth.

The field of two-dimensional (2D) and layered materials continues to excite many researchers around the world who are eager to advance and innovate viable routes for large scale synthesis, doping and integration of monolayers and the development of unique characterization approaches for studying and harnessing exotic properties that will enable novel device applications. There has been a large interest in 2D materials beyond graphene, with particular emphasis on monoelemental materials (phosphorene, silicene, tellurene, etc.), 2D compounds (MXenes, oxides, nitrides, carbides and chalcogenides), their alloys and layered van der Waals heterostructures. This is not only indicated by the significant increase in the number of peer reviewed publications each year in this area of research, but also by the surging number of conference sessions focusing on 2D materials beyond graphene. This Perspective article highlights some of the recent advances in the field from a diverse international community of theoretical and experimental researchers who participated in the symposium ‘Beyond Graphene 2D Materials—Synthesis, Properties and Device Applications’ at the Materials Research Society (MRS) Fall 2019 meeting.