Free Standing Layers of Silicene like Sheets

Abstract

Silicene is predicted to possess exotic electronic properties and a forerunner amongst all 2D materials for the development of exotic devices using present silicon technology. Here we report the synthesis of free standing layered 2D hexagonal silicene like sheets. Atomic scale structural characterizations have been performed using HRTEM. Samples have been characterized using HRXRD, SAED, UV-Vis absorption and Raman measurements, which suggests that the samples are silicene like sheets and not exfoliated (111) silicon sheets.