(Invited) Hybrid Van Der Waals Heterostructures: From Fundamentals to Applications

Abstract

2D materials are held together by weak interplanar van der Waals (vdW) interactions. The incorporation of molecules in such materials holds an immense potential to understand and modify the fundamental physical properties of the pristine materials while creatin new artificial materials. Whilst nature offers a finite number of 2D materials, an almost unlimited variety of molecules can be designed and synthesized with predictable functionalities. The possibilities offered by systems in which continuous molecular layers are interfaced with inorganic 2D materials to form hybrid organic/inorganic van der Waals heterostructures (H-vdWH) are emphasized. Similar to their inorganic counterpart, the hybrid structures have been exploited to suggest novel device architectures. Moreover, specific molecular groups can be employed to modify intrinsic properties and confer new capabilities to 2D materials. In particular, I will highlight how molecular self-assembly at the surface of 2D materials can be mastered to achieve precise control over position and density of (molecular) functional groups, paving the way for a new class of hybrid functional materials.In particular, within such vdW heterostructures, currently assembled by mechanical superposition of different layers, periodic potentials naturally occur at the interface between the 2D materials. These potentials significantly modify the electronic structure of the individual 2D components within the stack and their alignment, thus offering the possibility to build up hybrid and novel materials with unique properties.Also, I will show how the presence of ordered supramolecular assemblies bearing different functional groups can modify the pristine Shubnikov-De Haas oscillations occurring in graphene.Finally, an example will be given of how a carefully designed H-vdWH could be used for sensing of different biomarkers.