Atomically thin materials

Abstract

In this chapter, I will provide a brief overview of atomically thin materials that are formed by layers held together by van der Waals forces or weak covalent bonding. These materials provide a unique and cheap way of studying plethora of phenomena. Perhaps, the relative simplicity of the methods that are commonly used in the studies of two dimensional (2D) materials are one of the main reasons why they attracted attention at this level since the advent of graphene. After an introduction to the properties of 2D materials, I will talk about the methods to obtain 2D materials and conclude the chapter with the possibilities of heterostructures of 2D materials.