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Two-Dimensional Materials: From Synthesis to Applications

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2024 | Viewed by 2559

Special Issue Editors

College of Science, **ling Institute of Technology, Nan**g, China
Interests: spin and valley transport in 2D materials; valley-dependent optoelectronic properties; design of 2D van der Waals heterostructure-based novel high-efficiency photocatalysts using first-principles calculation
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Guest Editor
Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
Interests: thermoelectricity; artificial muscles; nanomechanics; first-principles calculations
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Guest Editor
Department of Physics and NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
Interests: first-principles computational study of 2D materials and their heterostructures; particularly for photocatalyst applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since the discovery of graphene, two-dimensional (2D) materials have become the focus of nanoscience and materials science. The large surface-to-volume ratio, tunable surface properties, and outstanding physical and chemical properties of 2D materials have triggered intensive investigations. The synthesis of high-quality and large-scale 2D materials, as well as the exploration of their applications, including nanoelectronics, catalysts, sensors, bio-applications, and energy conversion and storage, will advance scientific research and facilitate commercial development. In this issue, we focus on the synthesis and applications of existing and newly predicted 2D materials. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Synthesis of high-quality and large-scale 2D materials by physical and chemical approaches;
  • Synthesis and prediction of novel 2D materials, including van der Waals and moiré heterostructures;
  • Fundamental understanding and modulation of surface and chemical properties;
  • Synthesis and basic properties of 2D-material-based heterostructures and other architectures;
  • Applications including high-performance nanoelectronics, catalysts, photocatalysts, photovoltaics, batteries, supercapacitors, sensors, bio-applications, etc.

As will be seen in this Special Issue, 2D materials exhibit a wide range of new and unusual properties that can be employed to fabricate improved and novel electronic and electro-optical devices. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Sake Wang
Dr. Nguyen Tuan Hung
Dr. Minglei Sun
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at mdpi.longhoe.net by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • two-dimensional materials
  • graphene
  • transition-metal dichalcogenides
  • spintronics
  • valleytronics
  • twistronics
  • plasmonics
  • photonics

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 2384 KiB  
Article
Binding Energies and Optical Properties of Power-Exponential and Modified Gaussian Quantum Dots
by Ruba Mohammad Alauwaji, Hassen Dakhlaoui, Eman Algraphy, Fatih Ungan and Bryan M. Wong
Molecules 2024, 29(13), 3052; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29133052 - 27 Jun 2024
Viewed by 183
Abstract
We examine the optical and electronic properties of a GaAs spherical quantum dot with a hydrogenic impurity in its center. We study two different confining potentials: (1) a modified Gaussian potential and (2) a power-exponential potential. By using the finite difference method, we [...] Read more.
We examine the optical and electronic properties of a GaAs spherical quantum dot with a hydrogenic impurity in its center. We study two different confining potentials: (1) a modified Gaussian potential and (2) a power-exponential potential. By using the finite difference method, we solve the radial Schrodinger equation for the 1s and 1p energy levels and their probability densities and subsequently compute the optical absorption coefficient (OAC) for each confining potential using Fermi’s golden rule. We discuss the role of different physical quantities influencing the behavior of the OAC, such as the structural parameters of each potential, the dipole matrix elements, and their energy separation. Our results show that modification of the structural physical parameters of each potential can enable new optoelectronic devices that can leverage inter-sub-band optical transitions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Two-Dimensional Materials: From Synthesis to Applications)
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16 pages, 10060 KiB  
Article
Two-Dimensional GeC/MXY (M = Zr, Hf; X, Y = S, Se) Heterojunctions Used as Highly Efficient Overall Water-Splitting Photocatalysts
by Guangzhao Wang, Wenjie **e, Sandong Guo, Junli Chang, Ying Chen, **aojiang Long, Liujiang Zhou, Yee Sin Ang and Hongkuan Yuan
Molecules 2024, 29(12), 2793; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29122793 - 12 Jun 2024
Viewed by 322
Abstract
Hydrogen generation by photocatalytic water-splitting holds great promise for addressing the serious global energy and environmental crises, and has recently received significant attention from researchers. In this work, a method of assembling GeC/MXY (M = Zr, Hf; X, Y = S, Se) heterojunctions [...] Read more.
Hydrogen generation by photocatalytic water-splitting holds great promise for addressing the serious global energy and environmental crises, and has recently received significant attention from researchers. In this work, a method of assembling GeC/MXY (M = Zr, Hf; X, Y = S, Se) heterojunctions (HJs) by combining GeC and MXY monolayers (MLs) to construct direct Z-scheme photocatalytic systems is proposed. Based on first-principles calculations, we found that all the GeC/MXY HJs are stable van der Waals (vdW) HJs with indirect bandgaps. These HJs possess small bandgaps and exhibit strong light-absorption ability across a wide range. Furthermore, the built-in electric field (BIEF) around the heterointerface can accelerate photoinduced carrier separation. More interestingly, the suitable band edges of GeC/MXY HJs ensure sufficient kinetic potential to spontaneously accomplish water redox reactions under light irradiation. Overall, the strong light-harvesting ability, wide light-absorption range, small bandgaps, large heterointerfacial BIEFs, suitable band alignments, and carrier migration paths render GeC/MXY HJs highly efficient photocatalysts for overall water decomposition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Two-Dimensional Materials: From Synthesis to Applications)
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16 pages, 3972 KiB  
Article
Ethylene Elimination Using Activated Carbons Obtained from Baru (Dipteryx alata vog.) Waste and Impregnated with Copper Oxide
by Ana Carolina de Jesus Oliveira, Camilla Alves Pereira Rodrigues, Maria Carolina de Almeida, Eliane Teixeira Mársico, Paulo Sérgio Scalize, Tatianne Ferreira de Oliveira, Victor Andrés Solar and Héctor Valdés
Molecules 2024, 29(12), 2717; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29122717 - 7 Jun 2024
Viewed by 470
Abstract
Ethylene is a plant hormone regulator that stimulates chlorophyll loss and promotes softening and aging, resulting in a deterioration and reduction in the post-harvest life of fruit. Commercial activated carbons have been used as ethylene scavengers during the storage and transportation of a [...] Read more.
Ethylene is a plant hormone regulator that stimulates chlorophyll loss and promotes softening and aging, resulting in a deterioration and reduction in the post-harvest life of fruit. Commercial activated carbons have been used as ethylene scavengers during the storage and transportation of a great variety of agricultural commodities. In this work, the effect of the incorporation of copper oxide over activated carbons obtained from baru waste was assessed. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption at −196 °C, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the amount of ethylene removed using activated carbon obtained from baru waste and impregnated with copper oxide (1667 μg g−1) was significantly increased in comparison to the raw activated carbon (1111 μg g−1). In addition, carbon impregnated with copper oxide exhibited better adsorption performance at a low ethylene concentration. Activated carbons produced from baru waste are promising candidates to be used as adsorbents in the elimination of ethylene during the storage and transportation of agricultural commodities at a lower cost. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Two-Dimensional Materials: From Synthesis to Applications)
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27 pages, 8072 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Mass Activity and Durability of Bimetallic Pt-Pd Nanoparticles on Sulfated-Zirconia-Doped Graphene Nanoplates for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Applications
by Maryam Yaldagard and Michael Arkas
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2129; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092129 - 3 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 746
Abstract
Develo** highly active and durable Pt-based electrocatalysts is crucial for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. This study focuses on the performance of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts composed of Pt-Pd alloy nanoparticles on graphene nanoplates (GNPs) anchored with sulfated zirconia nanoparticles. The results [...] Read more.
Develo** highly active and durable Pt-based electrocatalysts is crucial for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. This study focuses on the performance of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts composed of Pt-Pd alloy nanoparticles on graphene nanoplates (GNPs) anchored with sulfated zirconia nanoparticles. The results of field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that Pt-Pd and S-ZrO2 are well dispersed on the surface of the GNPs. X-ray diffraction revealed that the S-ZrO2 and Pt-Pd alloy coexist in the Pt-Pd/S-ZrO2-GNP nanocomposites without affecting the crystalline lattice of Pt and the graphitic structure of the GNPs. To evaluate the electrochemical activity and reaction kinetics for ORR, we performed cyclic voltammetry, rotating disc electrode, and EIS experiments in acidic solutions at room temperature. The findings showed that Pt-Pd/S-ZrO2-GNPs exhibited a better ORR performance than the Pt-Pd catalyst on the unsulfated ZrO2-GNP support and with Pt on S-ZrO2-GNPs and commercial Pt/C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Two-Dimensional Materials: From Synthesis to Applications)
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