Semiconducting and superconducting properties of 2D hexagonal materials

Abstract

The beginning of high interest in two-dimensional (2D) crystals is marked by the synthesis of graphene, which constitutes exemplary monolayer material. This is due to the multiple extraordinary properties of graphene, particularly in the field of quantum electronic phenomena. However, there are electronic features that are notably missing in this material due to the inherent nature of its charge carriers. Of particular importance is that pristine graphene does not exhibit semiconducting or superconducting properties, preventing related applications. Certain modifications to graphene or even synthesis of sibling materials is needed to arrive with semiconducting and superconducting 2D hexagonal materials. Here, the representative examples of such materials are discussed in detail along with their expected properties. Special attention is given to the unique semiconducting and superconducting phenomena found in these materials e.g. the non-adiabatic superconductivity, spin- and valley-dependent conductivity or the bulk-like Schottky-type potential barriers. The discussion is supplemented with some pertinent conclusions and perspectives for future work.