Ultrathin septuple layered PbBi2Se4 nanosheets

Layered lead bismuth selenide, PbBi2Se4, an intergrowth compound of PbSe (rocksalt) and Bi2Se3 (hexagonal), is a topological insulator in the bulk phase. We present a simple solution based synthesis of two dimensional (2D) few seven atomic (septuple) layered PbBi2Se4 nanosheets (4-7 nm thick) for the first time. The excellent electrical transport in ultrathin PbBi2Se4 is attributed to the presence of dominant surface states that offer high electrical mobility (similar to 153 cm(2) V-1 s(-1)) and scattering resistant carriers. Ultrathin 3-5 SLs PbBi2Se4 shows an n-type semiconducting behaviour with a band gap of similar to 0.6 eV, which is confirmed by optical spectroscopy and thermopower measurements.