Antimonene: a tuneable post-graphene material for advanced applications in optoelectronics, catalysis, energy and biomedicine

The post-graphene era is undoubtedly marked by two-dimensional (2D) materials such as quasi-van der Waals antimonene. This emerging material has a fascinating structure, exhibits a pronounced chemical reactivity (in contrast to graphene), possesses outstanding electronic properties and has been postulated for a plethora of applications. However, chemistry and physics of antimonene remain in their infancy, but fortunately recent discoveries have shed light on its unmatched allotropy and rich chemical reactivity offering a myriad of unprecedented possibilities in terms of fundamental studies and applications. Indeed, antimonene can be considered as one of the most appealing post-graphene 2D materials reported to date, since its structure, properties and applications can be chemically engineered from the ground up (both using top-down and bottom-up approaches), offering an unprecedented level of control in the realm of 2D materials. In this review, we provide an in-depth analysis of the recent advances in the synthesis, characterization and applications of antimonene. First, we start with a general introduction to antimonene, and then we focus on its general chemistry, physical properties, characterization and synthetic strategies. We then perform a comprehensive study on the allotropy, the phase transition mechanisms, the oxidation behaviour and chemical functionalization. From a technological point of view, we further discuss the applications recently reported for antimonene in the fields of optoelectronics, catalysis, energy storage, cancer therapy and sensing. Finally, important aspects such as new scalable methodologies or the promising perspectives in biomedicine are discussed, pinpointing antimonene as a cutting-edge material of broad interest for researchers working in chemistry, physics, materials science and biomedicine.

Recent Development of Morphology-Controlled Hybrid Nanomaterials for Triboelectric Nanogenerator: A Review

Being cognizant of modern electronic devices, the scientists are continuing to investigate renewable green-energy resources for a decade. Amid different energy harvesting systems, the triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have been found to be the most promising mechanical harvesting technology and have drawn attention to generate electrical energy. Thanks to its instant output power, choice to opt for wide-ranging materials, low maintenance cost, easy fabrication process and environmentally friendly nature. Due to numerous working modes of TENGs, it is dedicated to desired application at ambient conditions. In this review, an advance correlation of TENGs have been explained based on the variety of nanostructures, including 0D, 1D, 2D, 3D, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), coordination polymers (CPs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and perovskite materials. Moreover, an overview of previous and current perspectives of various nanomaterials, synthesis, fabrication and their applications in potential fields have been discussed in detail.

Synergetic Advantages of Atomically Coupled 2D Inorganic and Graphene Nanosheets as Versatile Building Blocks for Diverse Functional Nanohybrids

2D nanostructured materials, including inorganic and graphene nanosheets, have evoked plenty of scientific research activity due to their intriguing properties and excellent functionalities. The complementary advantages and common 2D crystal shapes of inorganic and graphene nanosheets render their homogenous mixtures powerful building blocks for novel high-performance functional hybrid materials. The nanometer-level thickness of 2D inorganic/graphene nanosheets allows the achievement of unusually strong electronic couplings between sheets, leading to a remarkable improvement in preexisting functionalities and the creation of unexpected properties. The synergetic merits of atomically coupled 2D inorganic-graphene nanosheets are presented here in the exploration of novel heterogeneous functional materials, with an emphasis on their critical roles as hybridization building blocks, interstratified sheets, additives, substrates, and deposited monolayers. The great flexibility and controllability of the elemental compositions, defect structures, and surface natures of inorganic-graphene nanosheets provide valuable opportunities for exploring high-performance nanohybrids applicable as electrodes for supercapacitors and rechargeable batteries, electrocatalysts, photocatalysts, and water purification agents, to give some examples. An outlook on future research perspectives for the exploitation of emerging 2D nanosheet-based hybrid materials is also presented along with novel synthetic strategies to maximize the synergetic advantage of atomically mixed 2D inorganic-graphene nanosheets.

Evaluating the chemical exfoliation of lithium cobalt oxide using UV-Vis spectroscopy

Two-dimensional materials have been at the forefront of chemistry and materials science research for the past decade owing to promising applications across many fields. Improvements in exfoliation processes continually give access to new two-dimensional material compositions, demanding a deeper understanding of the defect structure and exfoliation mechanisms. Chemical exfoliation processes allow for both the fabrication of new, and the production of industrial-scale quantities of two-dimensional materials. For this reason, we report a rapid, efficient, and simple method for evaluating the exfoliation behavior of protonated lithium cobalt oxide. Using a two-step chemical exfoliation method, first by proton-cation exchange, then by treatment with an organo-ammonium hydroxide, the exfoliation yield of lithium cobalt oxide was quantified with a quick and powerful technique, ultraviolet-vis spectroscopy characterization. This method provided an in-depth analysis of the exfoliation of lithium cobalt oxide confirming and discovering many key aspects of its soft-chemical exfoliation relating to layered transition metal oxides. It was determined that the exfoliation yield has a strong dependence on multiple factors, such as the concentration of protons in the powder, the presence of water and hydroxide groups in solution, and the ionic radius and concentration of the intercalating cation. Both morphological changes occurring as a function of reaction conditions and the two-dimensional nature of the final sheets were revealed through scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Relative proton concentration of acid-treated lithium cobalt oxide was determined as a function of acid concentration using time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry after deuterated acid treatment. These experiments led to an improved understanding of the soft-chemical exfoliation of lithium cobalt oxide and can be applied to many layered transition metal oxides.

Two-Dimensional Electrocatalysts for Efficient Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are attractive catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide reaction (eCO₂ RR) by virtue of their tunable atomic structures, abundant active sites, enhanced conductivity, suitable binding affinity to carbon dioxide and/or reaction intermediates, and intrinsic scalability. Herein, recent advances in 2D catalysts for the eCO₂ RR are reviewed. Structural features and properties of 2D materials that contribute to their advanced electrocatalytic properties are summarized, and strategies for enhancing their activity and selectivity for the eCO₂ RR are reviewed. Prospects and challenges of applications of 2D catalysts for the eCO₂ RR on an industrial scale are highlighted.

Recent progress in the synthesis and applications of 2D metal nanosheets

The design and controlled synthesis of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have been widely studied because the properties and functions of nanomaterials are highly dependent on their sizes, shapes, and dimensionalities. For instance, 2D metal nanosheets (2DMNSs) have attracted a significant amount of attention owing to their interesting properties, which are absent in corresponding bulk counterparts, and they have been confirmed to have potential applications in electrocatalysis, optics, and biomedicine. However, because of the close-packed structures of metals, the large-scale fabrication of 2DMNSs is challenging. In this review, we have outlined the research progress in the field of 2DMNSs, including the typical synthesis approaches and newly developed methods, as well as promising applications of the materials reported in recent years. Moreover, some preliminary and promising strategies to further improve the properties of 2DMNSs and some insights for the development of the field have been included.

A direct route to activated two-dimensional cobalt oxide nanosheets for electrochemical energy storage, catalytic and environmental applications

Two-dimensional Co₃O₄ nanosheets have emerged as attractive materials for use in a number of relevant technological applications. To exhibit a competitive performance in such uses, however, their structure needs to be activated, which is frequently accomplished via post-synthesis reduction strategies that introduce oxygen vacancies and increase the number of active Co(II) sites. Here, we investigate a direct route for the synthesis of activated Co₃O₄ nanosheets that avoids reduction post-treatments, yielding materials with a high potential towards energy- and environment-related applications. The synthesis relied on an interim amorphous cobalt oxide material with nanosheet morphology, which upon calcination afforded Co₃O₄ nanosheets having Co(II) sites in quantities similar to those usually found for Co₃O₄ nanostructures activated by reduction post-treatments. When tested as electrodes for charge storage, the nanosheets demonstrated a competitive behavior in terms of both capacity and rate capability, e.g., a gravimetric capacity of ∼293 mAh g^-1 at 1 A g^-1 with 57% retention at 60 A g^-1 was measured for nanosheets calcined at 350 °C. The materials were shown to be efficient catalysts for the reduction of nitroarenes (4-nitrophenol and 4-nitroaniline), outperforming other Co₃O₄ nanostructures, as well as effective adsorbents for the removal of organic dyes (methyl orange, methylene blue) from water.

Physical Properties of (Na1- xK x)NbO3 Thin Film Grown at Low Temperature Using Two-Dimensional Ca2Nb3O10 Nanosheet Seed Layer

A monolayer Ca₂Nb₃O₁₀ (CNO) nanosheet was deposited on a Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrate using the Langmuir-Blodgett method. This monolayer CNO nanosheet with a (001) surface termination was used as a seed layer to reduce the growth temperature of the crystalline (Na_{1- x}K _x)NbO₃ (NKN) film. The crystalline NKN film was preferentially grown along the [001] direction at 400 °C. The ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of this NKN film were influenced by the postannealing atmosphere due to the variations in the amounts of oxygen vacancies in the NKN film. The crystalline NKN film annealed at 300 °C under 50 Torr O₂ atmosphere showed promising ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties; ε_r of 303 and tan δ of 2.0% at 100 kHz, P_s of 15.3 μC/cm², P_r of 11.7 μC/cm², and E_c of 78 kV/cm, and d₃₃ of 139 pm/V. This NKN film showed the lowest leakage current, which can be explained by the Schottky emission mechanism. The Schottky barrier heights of the Pt/NKN and NKN/CNO/Pt interfaces were calculated to be 0.97 and 0.28 eV, respectively. The results of this work suggest a new method to grow crystalline thin films at low temperatures by using metal-oxide nanosheets as the seed layer.

Two-Dimensional Oxides: Recent Progress in Nanosheets

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have been widely investigated for the last few years, introducing nanosheets and ultrathin films. The often superior electrical, optical and mechanical properties in contrast to their three-dimensional (3D) bulk counterparts offer a promising field of opportunities. Especially new research fields for already existing and novel applications are opened by downsizing and improving the materials at the same time. Some of the most promising application fields are namely supercapacitors, electrochromic devices, (bio-) chemical sensors, photovoltaic devices, thermoelectrics, (photo-) catalysts and membranes. The role of oxides in this field of materials deserves a closer look due to their availability, durability and further advantages. Here, recent progress in oxidic nanosheets is highlighted and the benefit of 2D oxides for applications discussed in-depth. Therefore, different synthesis techniques and microstructures are compared more closely.

Influence of the negative charge density of metalate nanosheets on their bottom-up synthesis

Low negative charge density is required for the bottom-up synthesis of metalate nanosheets by an aqueous solution process.

Self-Assembled LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 Nanosheet Cathode with High Electrochemical Performance

We have fabricated self-assembled LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ nanosheets via a facile synthesis method combining coprecipitation with the hydrothermal method. Scanning electron microscopic images show that the self-assembly processes for the LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ nanosheets depend on the reaction time and temperature. The nanosheet structure is uniform, and the width and thickness of the nanosheets are in the ranges of 0.7-1.5 μm and 10-100 nm, respectively. As a cathode material, the as-synthesized LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ nanosheets have demonstrated outstanding electrochemical performance. The initial specific capacity was 193 mAh g^-1, and the capacity was maintained at 189 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles at 0.2 C, and 155 mAh g^-1 at 1 C (after 1000 cycles). The LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ nanosheets have efficient contact with the electrolyte and short Li⁺ diffusion paths, as well as sufficient void spaces to accommodate large volume variation. The nanosheets are thus beneficial to the diffusion of Li⁺ in the electrode. The enhanced electrical conductance and excellent capacity demonstrate the great potential of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ nanosheets for energy storage applications.

Ultrathin LiCoO2 Nanosheets: An Efficient Water-Oxidation Catalyst

Ultrathin cation-exchanged layered metal oxides are promising for many applications, while such substances are barely successfully synthesized to show several atomic layer thickness, owing to the strong electrostatic force between the adjacent layers. Herein, we took LiCoO₂, a prototype cation-exchanged layered metal oxide, as an example to study. By developing a simple synthetic route, we synthesized LiCoO₂ nanosheets with 5-6 cobalt oxide layers, which are the thinnest ever reported. Ultrathin nanosheets thus prepared showed a surprising coexistence of increased oxidation state of cobalt ions and oxygen vacancy, as demonstrated by magnetic susceptibility, X-ray photoelectron, electron paramagnetic resonance, and X-ray absorption fine spectra. This unique feature enables a higher electronic conduction and electrophilicity to the adsorbed oxygen than the bulk. Consequently ultrathin LiCoO₂ nanosheets provided a current density of 10 mA cm^-2 at a small overpotential of a mere 0.41 V and a small Tafel slope of ∼88 mV/decade, which is strikingly followed by an excellent cycle life. The findings reported in this work suggest that ultrathin cation-exchanged layered metal oxides could be a next generation of advanced catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction.

Photoinduced electron transfer in layer-by-layer thin solid films containing cobalt oxide nanosheets, porphyrin, and methyl viologen

The well-known layer-by-layer (LbL) method can be used to prepare solid thin films with a controlled electron transfer direction by appropriately stacking metal oxide nanosheets and functional organic ions. In this study, we prepared thin solid films consisting of cobalt oxide nanosheets (CoNSs) as the electron transfer medium, α,β,γ,δ-tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin (TMPyP) as the electron donor, and 1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium or methyl viologen (MV) as the electron acceptor. We investigated the photoinduced electron transfer phenomenon in these films by irradiating them with 450 nm light. Irradiating the LbL thin solid films prepared with the CoNS/TMPyP/CoNS/MV/CoNS sequence under reduced pressure led to the production of a one-electron reduction compound of MV. Hence, photoinduced electron transfer from TMPyP to MV bound to CoNSs occurred in these LbL thin solid films. However, the conduction band of CoNSs, as determined by the photoabsorption spectral and photoelectrochemical measurements, was much higher than the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level of TMPyP. Our findings indicate that the observed equipotential photoinduced electron transfer was caused by the metallic electron conductivity of CoNSs, which show a unique charge arrangement of Co³⁺ and Co⁴⁺. Moreover, it was also found that the observed photoinduced charge separation state has a longer life-time (>5 h) under the reduced conditions.

Synthesis of Y2O3:Bi3+,Yb3+ nanosheets from layered yttrium hydroxide precursor and their photoluminescence properties

Morphologies, photoluminescence properties, and photostability were characterized for Y₂O₃:Bi³⁺,Yb³⁺ fluorescent nanosheets prepared through calcining solvothermally synthesized layered yttrium hydroxide precursors.

Exfoliated clay nanosheets as an efficient additive for improving the electrode functionality of graphene-based nanocomposites

A remarkable enhancement of the LIB electrode activity of graphene-based nanocomposites can be achieved via the incorporation of clay nanosheets.

Unusually Huge Charge Storage Capacity of Mn3O4-Graphene Nanocomposite Achieved by Incorporation of Inorganic Nanosheets

Remarkable improvement in electrode performance of Mn3O4-graphene nanocomposites for lithium ion batteries can be obtained by incorporation of a small amount of exfoliated layered MnO2 or RuO2 nanosheets. The metal oxide nanosheet-incorporated Mn3O4-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites are synthesized via growth of Mn3O4 nanocrystals in the mesoporous networks of rGO and MnO2/RuO2 2D nanosheets. Incorporation of metal oxide nanosheets is highly effective in optimizing porous composite structure and charge transport properties, resulting in a remarkable increase of discharge capacity of Mn3O4-rGO nanocomposite with significant improvement of cyclability and rate performance. The observed enormous discharge capacity of synthesized Mn3O4-rGO-MnO2 nanocomposite (∼1600 mA·h·g(-1) for the 100th cycle) is the highest value among reported data for Mn3O4-rGO nanocomposite. Despite much lower electrical conductivity of MnO2 than RuO2, the MnO2-incorporated nanocomposite at optimal composition (2.5 wt %) shows even larger discharge capacities with comparable rate characteristics compared with the RuO2-incorporated homologue. This finding underscores that the electrode performance of the resulting nanosheet-incorporated nanocomposite is strongly dependent on its pore and composite structures rather than on the intrinsic electrical conductivity of the additive nanosheet. The present study clearly demonstrates that, regardless of electrical conductivity, incorporation of metal oxide 2D nanosheet is an effective way to efficiently optimize the electrode functionality of graphene-based nanocomposites.

Highly Stable Nanocontainer of APTES-Anchored Layered Titanate Nanosheet for Reliable Protection/Recovery of Nucleic Acid

A universal technology for the encapsulative protection of unstable anionic species by highly stable layered metal oxide has been developed via the surface modification of a metal oxide nanosheet. The surface anchoring of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) on exfoliated titanate nanosheet yields a novel cationic metal oxide nanosheet, which can be universally used for the hybridization with various biological and inorganic anions. The encapsulation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the cationic APTES-anchored titanate lattice makes possible the reliable long-term protection of DNA against enzymatic, chemical, and UV-vis light corrosions. The encapsulated DNA can be easily released from the titanate lattice via sonication, underscoring the functionality of the cationic APTES-anchored titanate nanosheet as a stable nanocontainer for DNA. The APTES-anchored titanate nanosheet can be also used as an efficient CO2 adsorbent and a versatile host material for various inorganic anions like polyoxometalates, leading to the synthesis of novel intercalative nanohybrids with unexplored properties and useful functionalities.

An Effective Way to Optimize the Functionality of Graphene-Based Nanocomposite: Use of the Colloidal Mixture of Graphene and Inorganic Nanosheets

The best electrode performance of metal oxide-graphene nanocomposite material for lithium secondary batteries can be achieved by using the colloidal mixture of layered CoO2 and graphene nanosheets as a precursor. The intervention of layered CoO2 nanosheets in-between graphene nanosheets is fairly effective in optimizing the pore and composite structures of the Co3O4-graphene nanocomposite and also in enhancing its electrochemical activity via the depression of interaction between graphene nanosheets. The resulting CoO2 nanosheet-incorporated nanocomposites show much greater discharge capacity of ~1750 mAhg(-1) with better cyclability and rate characteristics than does CoO2-free Co3O4-graphene nanocomposite (~1100 mAhg(-1)). The huge discharge capacity of the present nanocomposite is the largest one among the reported data of cobalt oxide-graphene nanocomposite. Such a remarkable enhancement of electrode performance upon the addition of inorganic nanosheet is also observed for Mn3O4-graphene nanocomposite. The improvement of electrode performance upon the incorporation of inorganic nanosheet is attributable to an improved Li(+) ion diffusion, an enhanced mixing between metal oxide and graphene, and the prevention of electrode agglomeration. The present experimental findings underscore an efficient and universal role of the colloidal mixture of graphene and redoxable metal oxide nanosheets as a precursor for improving the electrode functionality of graphene-based nanocomposites.

A facile exfoliation-crystal growth route to multicomponent Ag2CO3/Ag-Ti5NbO14 nanohybrids with improved visible light photocatalytic activity

A novel visible light active photocatalyst is developed via a direct crystal growth of silver oxosalts on exfoliated titanoniobate nanosheets.

Progress, challenges, and opportunities in two-dimensional materials beyond graphene

Graphene's success has shown that it is possible to create stable, single and few-atom-thick layers of van der Waals materials, and also that these materials can exhibit fascinating and technologically useful properties. Here we review the state-of-the-art of 2D materials beyond graphene. Initially, we will outline the different chemical classes of 2D materials and discuss the various strategies to prepare single-layer, few-layer, and multilayer assembly materials in solution, on substrates, and on the wafer scale. Additionally, we present an experimental guide for identifying and characterizing single-layer-thick materials, as well as outlining emerging techniques that yield both local and global information. We describe the differences that occur in the electronic structure between the bulk and the single layer and discuss various methods of tuning their electronic properties by manipulating the surface. Finally, we highlight the properties and advantages of single-, few-, and many-layer 2D materials in field-effect transistors, spin- and valley-tronics, thermoelectrics, and topological insulators, among many other applications.

Two-dimensional nanoarchitectures for lithium storage

Two dimensional nanoarchitectures are of great interest in lithium storage for energy-storage devices, in particular lithium-ion batteries, due to its shortened paths for fast lithium ion diffusion and large exposed surface offering more lithium-insertion channels. Their competitive lithium-storage features provide huge potentials to develop next-generation high-performance lithium-ion batteries. This review is devoted to the recent progress in the fabrication of innovative 2D structures with various synthetic strategies and their applications for lithium storage in lithium-ion batteries. These 2D architectures are categorized into six styles, i.e., nanoporous nanosheets, ultrathin nanosheets, flower-like structures assembled by nanosheets, sandwich-like nanosheets, corrugated nanosheets, and nanosheets with specific facets. Based on the lithium-storage manner, we further summerized their electrochemical performance for lithium storage with four classified themes including surface Li storage, zero or low-strain Li storage, volume-variation Li storage and synergic-effect Li storage. Finally, the outlook and perspective on 2D lithium-storage materials is concisely provided.

2D materials: to graphene and beyond

This review is an attempt to illustrate the different alternatives in the field of 2D materials. Graphene seems to be just the tip of the iceberg and we show how the discovery of alternative 2D materials is starting to show the rest of this iceberg. The review comprises the current state-of-the-art of the vast literature in concepts and methods already known for isolation and characterization of graphene, and rationalizes the quite disperse literature in other 2D materials such as metal oxides, hydroxides and chalcogenides, and metal-organic frameworks.

Nanosheets of oxides and hydroxides: Ultimate 2D charge-bearing functional crystallites

A wide variety of cation-exchangeable layered transition metal oxides and their relatively rare counterparts, anion-exchangeable layered hydroxides, have been exfoliated into individual host layers, i.e., nanosheets. Exfoliation is generally achieved via a high degree of swelling, typically driven either by intercalation of bulky organic ions (quaternary ammonium cations, propylammonium cations, etc.) for the layered oxides or by solvation with organic solvents (formamide, butanol, etc.) for the hydroxides. Ultimate two-dimensional (2D) anisotropy for the nanosheets, with thickness of around one nanometer versus lateral size ranging from submicrometer to several tens of micrometers, allows them to serve either as an ideal quantum system for fundamental study or as a basic building block for functional assembly. The charge-bearing inorganic macromolecule-like nanosheets can be assembled or organized through various solution-based processing techniques (e.g., flocculation, electrostatic sequential deposition, or the Langmuir-Blodgett method) to produce a range of nanocomposites, multilayer nanofilms, and core-shell nanoarchitectures, which have great potential for electronic, magnetic, optical, photochemical, and catalytic applications.

Unilamellar nanosheet of layered manganese cobalt nickel oxide and its heterolayered film with polycations

The exfoliation of layered Li[Mn(1/3)Co(1/3)Ni(1/3)]O(2) into individual monolayers could be achieved through the intercalation of quaternary tetramethylammonium (TMA(+)) ions into protonated metal oxide. An effective exfoliation occurred when the TMA(+)/H(+) ratio was 0.5-50. Reactions outside this range produced no colloidal suspension, but all the manganese cobalt nickel oxides precipitated. Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy clearly demonstrated that exfoliated manganese cobalt nickel oxide nanosheets have a nanometer-level thickness, underscoring the formation of unilamellar nanosheets. The maintenance of the hexagonal atomic arrangement of the manganese cobalt nickel oxide layer upon the exfoliation was confirmed by selected area electron diffraction analysis. According to diffuse reflectance ultraviolet--visible spectroscopy, the exfoliated manganese cobalt nickel oxides displayed distinct absorption peaks at approximately 354 and approximately 480 nm corresponding to the d-d transitions of octahedral metal ions, which contrasted with the featureless spectrum of the pristine metal oxide. In the light of zeta potential data showing the negative surface charge of manganese cobalt nickel oxide nanosheets, a heterolayered film of manganese cobalt nickel oxide and conductive polymers could be prepared through the successive coating process with colloidal suspension and polycations. The UV--vis and X-ray diffraction studies verified the layer-by-layer ordered structure of the obtained heterolayered film, respectively.