Optical and electrical properties of low-dimensional crystalline materials: a review

Abstract

Low-dimensional materials have been revolutionary in both the technological and research fields over the last decades. Since the discovery of graphene in 2004, and thanks to the technological improvements in nanotechnology achieved during this last century, the number of low-dimensional materials under research and their potential applications have not stopped increasing. In this review, we present a comprehensive tour of the principal 2D and 1D materials that compose the current state of the art and also the technological applications derived from them. In both cases, the focus will be on their optical and electrical properties, as well as the potential applications on novel photonic, electronic, or optoelectronic devices. For 2D materials, we will focus on a brief review of graphene-like materials, giving more emphasis to graphene derivatives, hexagonal boron nitride, and transition metal dichalcogenides. Regarding 1D materials, we will aim at metallic and semiconductor nanowires. Nevertheless, interesting 2D and 1D materials are mentioned in each section. The topic will be introduced using the related origin of their unique capabilities as a common thread. At the same time, we will try to remark on the differences and similarities between both groups and their physical relationship.