Research Profile
Two-dimensional materials (2DMs) became popular over the last decade and offers great promise in applications ranging from electronic devices to catalysis, and from information technology to medicine. 2DMs represent a class of low-dimensional nanomaterials with single- to few-layers thickness (≤ 10 layers) and high structural definition at the atomic/molecular level. The are featured by nanoscale thickness in one dimension and “infinite” size in the other two dimensions.
Graphene as the most well-known 2DM possesses astonishing properties, such as high charge carrier mobility, thermal conductivity and mechanical strength. Inspired by the success of graphene, an enormous interest in developing new 2DMs has been triggered. One of the key challenges faced by the scientific community so far is to go beyond the limitations of graphene (such as band gap tunability, etc.) and synthesize 2DMs with high structural control at the atomic or molecular level.
The Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1415 will aim at the controlled bottom-up synthesis and development of novel classes of synthetic 2DMs with high structural definition. In detail, our objectives are methodology-/structure- and property-driven topics for the proposed 2DMs. The enclosed figure illustrates the entire CRC concept including the three involved research areas.
For the synthesis of 2DMs, we will focus on the bottom-up synthesis of crystalline layer-stacked materials followed by their exfoliation as well as on the direct synthesis of single-layer or few-layer (≤ 10 layers) 2DMs via the development solution-based construction/self-assembly from molecular precursors, surface- and interface- assisted syntheses. Taking advantage of the versatility of chemistry, we will develop novel organic and inorganic 2DMs as well as their hybrid superstructures. Moreover, we will focus on the development of in-situ and ex-situ spectroscopic, microscopic and diffraction characterization methods, which will allow us to analyse the morphologies, compositions, structures, crystallinity, defects and grain boundaries, monitor the reaction mechanisms of the synthetic 2DMs, as well as investigate their surface/edge functionalization and physicochemical properties. Our third focal point is to theoretically tackle the chemical and physical phenomena of 2DMs using advanced theoretical methods and models, and to predict the 2DM’s formation and their chemical and physical properties. In combination with the experimental investigations, the theoretical contribution is essential to provide an in-depth understanding on the structure of 2DMs, the molecular arrangement and interaction in solution or on surface (or at interface), the growth mechanisms of 2DMs, and the influence of lattice topologies, defects and strain effects on the optical, electronic, mechanical, catalytic and transport properties.
In consequence, three research areas will be established in this CRC, which bridge A) material synthesis, B) characterization and C) theory. Research groups with expert knowledge in chemical synthesis and functionalization, characterization, modelling and evaluation of structures and properties of 2DMs and their analogues, will combine their forces under the common vision of the CRC.