Recent advances in the fabrication of 2D metal oxides

Abstract

Summary Atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) metal oxides exhibit unique optical, electrical, magnetic, and chemical properties, rendering them a bright application prospect in high-performance smart devices. Given the large variety of both layered and non-layered 2D metal oxides, the controllable synthesis is the critical prerequisite for enabling the exploration of their great potentials. In this review, recent progress in the synthesis of 2D metal oxides is summarized and categorized. Particularly, a brief overview of categories and crystal structures of 2D metal oxides is firstly introduced, followed by a critical discussion of various synthesis methods regarding the growth mechanisms, advantages, and limitations. Finally, the existing challenges are presented to provide possible future research directions regarding the synthesis of 2D metal oxides. This work can provide useful guidance on developing innovative approaches for producing both 2D layered and non-layered nanostructures and assist with the acceleration of the research of 2D metal oxides.

Inorganic material-based Janus nanosheets: asymmetrically functionalized 2D-inorganic nanomaterials

“…As an additional attribute to be explored, we should take full advantage of the unique capabilities of porous structures, which can be prepared via the use of interactions between inorganic species and micelles. Although this strategy has been extended from silica [116][117][118] to various metal oxides 119 and metals, 120 only silica-based Janus nanosheets with a porous sheet structure have been achieved. 22 It will therefore be possible to introduce meso/nanoporous architectures in each layer of inorganic Janus nanosheets with different metal oxide and metal compositions.…”

Self-assembled supramolecular materials for photocatalytic H2 production and CO2 reduction

“…Two-dimensional (2D) materials, i.e. metal oxides nanosheet, metal chalcogenides nanosheet, graphene, and C3N4 nanosheets, have been demonstrated to show unique photocatalytic properties based on their thickness dependent optical and electro properties [85]. However, the tailored 2D supramolecular materials prepared by self-assembly strategy are still on the early stage of development.…”

Ultrathin 2D nanosheets of transition metal (hydro)oxides as prospective materials for energy storage devices: A short review

“…1). 2D transition metal oxides and hydroxides have demonstrated excellent characteristics in electronics, optoelectronics, electrochemistry, various sensors, energy storage, catalysis, and other fields, which makes them attractive objects for research [15].…”