UK researchers demonstrate 2D hybrid materials

The group discovered that when two atomically thin (two-dimensional) materials like graphene are placed on top of each other like a ‘Lego’ tower, their properties change and a material with novel hybrid properties emerges.

This happens without the two atomic layers physically meeting, nor through a chemical reaction, but by attaching the layers to each other via a weak van der Waals interaction.

The group also found that the properties of the material can be precisely controlled by twisting the two stacked atomic layers, opening the way for the design of new materials and electronic devices for future technologies.

The idea to stack layers of different materials to make so-called heterostructures goes back to the 1960s, when semiconductor gallium arsenide was researched for making miniature lasers – which are now widely used.

Researchers believe that so called ‘van der Waals heterostructures’ could be used to create numerous designer-materials and novel devices by stacking together any number of atomically thin layers.