Two-Dimensional Epitaxial Xenes: Genesis, Synthesis, Main Properties, and Processing Paths for Technology Applications*

Xenes are an emerging class of two-dimensional single-element materials that since the debut of silicene, encompasses an increasing number of elements from the group III, IV, V, and VI in the periodic table. In most of the case Xenes are epitaxial in character, and as such they need appropriate substrates to grow onto. Here we report on the special case of the epitaxial silicene by detailing the details of the synthesis and the main structural features. We show how that the Xene structure can be optimized by interface engineering and that Xenes can be stabilized via encapsulation. Both aspects enable us to exploit epitaxial Xenes in technology relevant platforms, like transistor devices and flexible membranes.