The Rise of the Xenes: From the Synthesis to the Integration Processes for Electronics and Photonics

Abstract

The recent outcomes related to the Xenes, the two-dimensional (2D) monoelemental graphene-like materials, in three interdisciplinary fields such as electronics, photonics and processing are here reviewed by focusing on peculiar growth and device integration aspects. In contrast with forerunner 2D materials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides, the Xenes pose new and intriguing challenges for their synthesis and exploitation because of their artificial nature and stabilization issues. This effort is however rewarded by a fascinating and versatile scenario where the manipulation of the matter properties at the atomic scale paves the way to potential applications never reported to date. The current state-of-the-art about electronic integration of the Xenes, their optical and photonics properties, and the developed processing methodologies are summarized, whereas future challenges and critical aspects are tentatively outlined.

2D Functionalized Germananes: Synthesis and Applications

“…Yet, the precise control of lateral size and thickness of the free‐standing layer is a challenging task. [ 21 ] For applications or devices that require a substrate, the mono‐ or few‐layer germananes should be securely transferred to the preferred substrate. Because 2D germanene/ane layers are primarily vdWs‐bonded to the substrate or electrical contacts, an intact and low‐resistance contact remains challenging.…”

“…The large family of 2D materials includes transition metal chalcogenides, phosphites, and trichalcogenide phosphites, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ), [8,9] layered double hydroxides, [10] hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), [11] metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes), [12,13] and monoelemental materials (Xenes), such as, group 13 (X = B), group 14 (X = Si, Ge, Sn), and group 15 (X = P, As, Sb, Bi). [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Their distinct features lie within their ultra-or atomically thin layers stacked up by weak van der Waals (vdWs) interactions, allowing the integration of different materials with minimal lattice mismatch issues. Yet, the atoms are held by strong covalent bonds within the individual layers.…”

Spin-Polarized Majorana Zero Modes in Proximitized Superconducting Penta-Silicene Nanoribbons

“…One possible alternative platform is the onedimensional honeycomb nanoribbons (HNRs) that have been receiving growing attention in the literature [33][34][35][36]. Nevertheless, the mono-elemental 2D graphene-like materials coined Xenes, where X represents elements from group IIIA to group VIA of the periodic table, could constitute possible candidates to build HNRs with the ability to harbor MZMs at their ends [37][38][39][40]. Penta-Silicene (X=Si) is an up-and-coming candidate in this family for obtaining a p-SiNR geometry that can host MZMs [10,11,41].…”

Monoelemental two-dimensional iodinene nanosheets: a first-principles study of the electronic and optical properties

“…Graphene is one of the promising 2D nanomaterials that has attracted significant attention due to its unique properties [1], and it has brought about numerous potential applications in different fields. In addition to graphene, various kinds of 2D monolayers have been discovered, such as Mxenes [2,3], perovskites [4], honeycomb-like Xenes (X = Pb, Sn, Ge, and Si) [5][6][7][8], and so on. 2D materials are attracting great attention due to the potential for improving and building basic units in nanoelectronics and photovoltaic electronics such as integrated circuits, transistors, and solar cells.…”