Zhong Yan

Bio: Zhong Yan is an academic researcher from Nanjing University of Science and Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Band gap & Graphene foam. The author has an hindex of 9, co-authored 12 publications receiving 2708 citations.

Atomically Thin Arsenene and Antimonene: Semimetal-Semiconductor and Indirect-Direct Band-Gap Transitions

Abstract: The typical two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors MoS2, MoSe2, WS2, WSe2 and black phosphorus have garnered tremendous interest for their unique electronic, optical, and chemical properties. However, all 2D semiconductors reported thus far feature band gaps that are smaller than 2.0 eV, which has greatly restricted their applications, especially in optoelectronic devices with photoresponse in the blue and UV range. Novel 2D mono-elemental semiconductors, namely monolayered arsenene and antimonene, with wide band gaps and high stability were now developed based on first-principles calculations. Interestingly, although As and Sb are typically semimetals in the bulk, they are transformed into indirect semiconductors with band gaps of 2.49 and 2.28 eV when thinned to one atomic layer. Significantly, under small biaxial strain, these materials were transformed from indirect into direct band-gap semiconductors. Such dramatic changes in the electronic structure could pave the way for transistors with high on/off ratios, optoelectronic devices working under blue or UV light, and mechanical sensors based on new 2D crystals.

Semiconducting Group 15 Monolayers: A Broad Range of Band Gaps and High Carrier Mobilities

Abstract: Optoelectronic applications require materials both responsive to objective photons and able to transfer carriers, so new two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors with appropriate band gaps and high mobilities are highly desired. A broad range of band gaps and high mobilities of a 2D semiconductor family, composed of monolayer of Group 15 elements (phosphorene, arsenene, antimonene, bismuthene) is presented. The calculated binding energies and phonon band dispersions of 2D Group 15 allotropes exhibit thermodynamic stability. The energy band gaps of 2D semiconducting Group 15 monolayers cover a wide range from 0.36 to 2.62 eV, which are crucial for broadband photoresponse. Significantly, phosphorene, arsenene, and bismuthene possess carrier mobilities as high as several thousand cm2 V−1 s−1. Combining such broad band gaps and superior carrier mobilities, 2D Group 15 monolayers are promising candidates for nanoelectronics and optoelectronics.

Two-dimensional antimonene single crystals grown by van der Waals epitaxy.

Abstract: Unlike the unstable black phosphorous, another two-dimensional group-VA material, antimonene, was recently predicted to exhibit good stability and remarkable physical properties. However, the synthesis of high-quality monolayer or few-layer antimonenes, sparsely reported, has greatly hindered the development of this new field. Here, we report the van der Waals epitaxy growth of few-layer antimonene monocrystalline polygons, their atomical microstructure and stability in ambient condition. The high-quality, few-layer antimonene monocrystalline polygons can be synthesized on various substrates, including flexible ones, via van der Waals epitaxy growth. Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveal that the obtained antimonene polygons have buckled rhombohedral atomic structure, consistent with the theoretically predicted most stable β-phase allotrope. The very high stability of antimonenes was observed after aging in air for 30 days. First-principle and molecular dynamics simulation results confirmed that compared with phosphorene, antimonene is less likely to be oxidized and possesses higher thermodynamic stability in oxygen atmosphere at room temperature. Moreover, antimonene polygons show high electrical conductivity up to 104 S m−1 and good optical transparency in the visible light range, promising in transparent conductive electrode applications. Several two-dimensional materials have been synthesized to date, yet elemental materials, consisting of individual atomic species, are still scarce. Here, the authors synthesize few-layer, monocrystalline polygons of antimonene via van der Waals epitaxy growth.

2D materials via liquid exfoliation: a review on fabrication and applications

Abstract: Since graphene was discovered, the study of two-dimensional (2D) materials with atomic thickness has become a hot spot. To prepare different 2D materials, different methods have been groped, such as mechanical exfoliation, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), liquid-phase exfoliation. This review mainly introduced the sonication liquid-phase exfoliation, an effective method to prepare 2D materials. Compared with mechanical exfoliation and CVD methods, liquid-phase exfoliation is convenient and cost-effective and provides high yield. We focused on both theoretical and experimental details of this method. This method was reviewed according to the development of 2D materials from graphene, h-BN to transition metal chalcogenides (TMDs) and black phosphorus nanosheets. We discussed the applications of liquid-exfoliated 2D materials including micro- and nanoelectrical devices, photoelectric devices, and energy storage devices.

Noncovalent Molecular Doping of Two-Dimensional Materials

Abstract: Two-dimensional materials have become one of the hottest topics in physics, chemistry, and materials science during the past decade owing to their outstanding physical and chemical properties. To further expand their potential applications, more research efforts are needed to improve their performance and overcome their weaknesses. This review focus on the mechanisms, effects, influencing factors, and characterization of noncovalent molecular doping of two-dimensional materials.

Recent Advances in Ultrathin Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials

Abstract: Since the discovery of mechanically exfoliated graphene in 2004, research on ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials has grown exponentially in the fields of condensed matter physics, material science, chemistry, and nanotechnology. Highlighting their compelling physical, chemical, electronic, and optical properties, as well as their various potential applications, in this Review, we summarize the state-of-art progress on the ultrathin 2D nanomaterials with a particular emphasis on their recent advances. First, we introduce the unique advances on ultrathin 2D nanomaterials, followed by the description of their composition and crystal structures. The assortments of their synthetic methods are then summarized, including insights on their advantages and limitations, alongside some recommendations on suitable characterization techniques. We also discuss in detail the utilization of these ultrathin 2D nanomaterials for wide ranges of potential applications among the electronics/optoelectronics, electrocat...

Intrinsic ripples in graphene

Abstract: The stability of two-dimensional (2D) layers and membranes is subject of a long standing theoretical debate. According to the so called Mermin-Wagner theorem, long wavelength fluctuations destroy the long-range order for 2D crystals. Similarly, 2D membranes embedded in a 3D space have a tendency to be crumpled. These dangerous fluctuations can, however, be suppressed by anharmonic coupling between bending and stretching modes making that a two-dimensional membrane can exist but should present strong height fluctuations. The discovery of graphene, the first truly 2D crystal and the recent experimental observation of ripples in freely hanging graphene makes these issues especially important. Beside the academic interest, understanding the mechanisms of stability of graphene is crucial for understanding electronic transport in this material that is attracting so much interest for its unusual Dirac spectrum and electronic properties. Here we address the nature of these height fluctuations by means of straightforward atomistic Monte Carlo simulations based on a very accurate many-body interatomic potential for carbon. We find that ripples spontaneously appear due to thermal fluctuations with a size distribution peaked around 70 \AA which is compatible with experimental findings (50-100 \AA) but not with the current understanding of stability of flexible membranes. This unexpected result seems to be due to the multiplicity of chemical bonding in carbon.

Recent Advances in the Catalytic Oxidation of Volatile Organic Compounds: A Review Based on Pollutant Sorts and Sources.

Abstract: It is well known that urbanization and industrialization have resulted in the rapidly increasing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are a major contributor to the formation of secondary pollutants (e.g., tropospheric ozone, PAN (peroxyacetyl nitrate), and secondary organic aerosols) and photochemical smog. The emission of these pollutants has led to a large decline in air quality in numerous regions around the world, which has ultimately led to concerns regarding their impact on human health and general well-being. Catalytic oxidation is regarded as one of the most promising strategies for VOC removal from industrial waste streams. This Review systematically documents the progresses and developments made in the understanding and design of heterogeneous catalysts for VOC oxidation over the past two decades. It addresses in detail how catalytic performance is often drastically affected by the pollutant sources and reaction conditions. It also highlights the primary routes for catalyst deactivation and discusses protocols for their subsequent reactivation. Kinetic models and proposed oxidation mechanisms for representative VOCs are also provided. Typical catalytic reactors and oxidizers for industrial VOC destruction are further discussed. We believe that this Review will provide a great foundation and reference point for future design and development in this field.

Liquid exfoliation of solvent-stabilized few-layer black phosphorus for applications beyond electronics

Abstract: Few-layer black phosphorus (BP) is a new two-dimensional material which is of great interest for applications, mainly in electronics. However, its lack of environmental stability severely limits its synthesis and processing. Here we demonstrate that high-quality, few-layer BP nanosheets, with controllable size and observable photoluminescence, can be produced in large quantities by liquid phase exfoliation under ambient conditions in solvents such as N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone (CHP). Nanosheets are surprisingly stable in CHP, probably due to the solvation shell protecting the nanosheets from reacting with water or oxygen. Experiments, supported by simulations, show reactions to occur only at the nanosheet edge, with the rate and extent of the reaction dependent on the water/oxygen content. We demonstrate that liquid-exfoliated BP nanosheets are potentially useful in a range of applications from ultrafast saturable absorbers to gas sensors to fillers for composite reinforcement.