opens new doors for innovation in materials and sustainable technologies. Owing to the great diversity and complexity of nature, the well-evolved natural structures corresponding to specific functionalities may vary from 1D nanofibers or nanoneedles to 2D nanosheets or nanoplates or even 3D multiscale-ordered structures. [32] A good understanding of the structureproperty relationships is essential for the design and fabrication of bioinspired nanomaterials.2D nanomaterials have achieved some significant triumphs in various applications, benefitting from their unique structural characteristics and relevant chemical and physical properties. [33][34][35] In fact, 2D nanostructures also widely exist in nature and generate some amazing functionalities, which offers us great opportunities to further expand the design and fabrication of 2D nanostructured materials, devices, and technologies. [36] By integrating 2D nanomaterials with the bioinspired strategies, innovative materials and technologies have been proposed and realized. In this research news, recent progress that mainly achieved over the past decade in bioinspired materials and technologies based on 2D nanomaterials for targeted sustainable energy and environmental technologies, such as energy conversion and storages, environmental remediation, etc., is reviewed and discussed. As shown in Figure 1, three topical subjects, including bioinspired 2D photonic structures, bioinspired 2D energy nanomaterials, and bioinspired 2D superwetting materials, along with the challenges and opportunities will be the focus of this article, and give an overall perspective to this emerging and promising research area.
Bioinspired 2D Photonic MaterialsTo survive in the wild world, natural species have evolved various unique structures with fascinating optical functionalities, such as glitzy structural colors for attracting prey or mates, [37] tunable camouflage colors for escaping from predators, [38] antireflection function of compound eyes for weak light vision, [36] and so on. These structures, as known as photonic crystal structures, have inspired the design of novel photonic micro/nanostructures and some smart optical devices.Among the various natural photonic structures, one class consists of periodically stacked 2D multilayers, also known as Bragg Stacks, have been found in many natural organisms, such as plants, insects, and marine benthos. [39] Multiple pairs of 2D layers with different refractive indexes in Bragg Stacks can generate iridescent structural colors through constructive The increasing demand for constructing ecological civilization and promoting socially sustainable development has encouraged scientists to develop bioinspired materials with required properties and functions. By bringing science and nature together, plenty of novel materials with extraordinary properties can be created by learning the best from natural species. In combination with the exceptional features of 2D nanomaterials, bioinspired 2D nanomaterials and technologies have delivered signif...