Why in news?
NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub, together with the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, released the fourth edition of its Future Front Quarterly Insights entitled “Introduction to 2D Materials.” The report emphasises the transformative potential of atom‑thin materials and urges India to prioritise research and manufacturing in this field.
What are 2D materials?
Two‑dimensional materials are crystalline substances that are only one atom thick. They are so thin that electrons can move through them almost unhindered, giving them extraordinary electrical and mechanical properties. The most famous example is graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms extracted from graphite in 2004 using simple adhesive tape—a discovery that later earned the Nobel Prize.
Types and structure
- Graphene: Made of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice, it combines high conductivity with exceptional strength.
- Transition‑metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs): Compounds such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten disulfide (WS2) pair a metal with sulfur or selenium and have adjustable band gaps.
- Hexagonal boron nitride (h‑BN): A 2D insulator often used as a substrate for other materials.
- Xenes: Emerging materials like silicene (silicon), germanene (germanium) and phosphorene (phosphorus) that mirror graphene’s structure.
How they work
Because they are so thin, electrons in 2D materials move quickly and with little scattering. The layers are strongly bonded in‑plane but weakly bonded between planes, allowing easy exfoliation. Their energy properties can be tuned by stacking layers or adding atoms, making them ideal for semiconductors and sensors. Some display quantum effects such as spin–valley coupling, paving the way for quantum technologies.
Key characteristics
- Superconductivity and conductivity: Graphene conducts electricity better than copper and dissipates heat efficiently.
- Strength and flexibility: Graphene is about 200 times stronger than steel yet bendable. Other 2D materials share similar combinations of strength and flexibility.
- Tunable electronics: Many 2D materials have band gaps that can be engineered for transistors beyond the limits of silicon.
- Quantum readiness: Certain 2D materials can host qubits, making them candidates for future quantum computers.
- Transparency and flexibility: Their thinness makes them suitable for foldable and transparent electronic devices.
Applications
- Next‑generation semiconductors: Atom‑thin transistors could extend Moore’s law into the “angstrom era” and enable faster, more energy‑efficient chips.
- Neuromorphic computing: Devices based on 2D materials can mimic the brain’s synapses, paving the way for low‑power artificial intelligence hardware.
- Optoelectronics: Their tunable band gaps allow ultra‑thin photodetectors, light‑emitting diodes and solar cells.
- Composite materials: Graphene and related compounds strengthen plastics, metals and ceramics, with uses in aerospace, water filtration and energy storage.
- Quantum technologies: Unique quantum properties of certain 2D materials make them promising for quantum sensors and computers.
India’s focus on 2D materials could yield breakthroughs in electronics, energy and quantum technologies. Strengthening research and building manufacturing capabilities will help the country participate in the next wave of technological innovation.