Atomic and electronic structure of silicene on Ag: a theoretical perspective

The isolation of graphene sheets from its parent crystal graphites has given the kick to experimental research on its prototypical 2D elemental cousin, silicene [1]. Unlike graphene, silicene lacks a layered parent material from which it could be derived by exfoliation. Hence, the efforts of making the silicene dream a reality were focused on epitaxial growth of silicene on substrates. The first synthesis of epitaxial silicene on silver (111) [27, 46] and zirconium diboride templates [16] and next on an iridium (111) surface [31], has boosted research on other elemental group IV graphene-like materials, namely, germanene and stanene [30, 48]. The boom is motivated by several new possibilities envisaged for future electronics, typically because of the anticipated very high mobilities for silicene and germanene [49], as well as potential optical applications [30]. It is also fuelled by their predicted robust 2D topological insulator characters [14, 28] and potential high temperature superconductor character [5, 50]. One of the most promising candidates as a substrate is Ag because from the studies of the reverse system, where Ag atoms were deposited on silicon substrate, it was known that Ag and silicon make sharp interfaces without making silicide compounds [24]. Indeed, studies on synthesiz and characterization of silicene is mainly focused on using Ag(111) as substrates and hence we think it is important to understand this particular system. In this Chapter, we present a theoretical perspective on the studies investigating the atomic and electronic structure of silicene on Ag substrates.