A Perspective on Recent Advances in 2D Stanene Nanosheets

Advancements in 2D nanomaterials have been impacting a wide range of technology-driven applications. Here, the authors highlight stanene, a material that comprises a monolayer of elemental tin atoms, as a new addition to the monoelemental 2D family. Recent successes in the experimental realization of stanene in supported heterostructures and in free-standing form have expanded interest in exploring and unlocking its potential applications, as predicted from advanced theoretical calculations. Stanene exhibits several remarkable features, including a large spin-orbit gap (allowing room-temperature electronics based on the quantum spin Hall effect), topological superconductivity, quantum anomalous Hall behavior, giant magnetoresistance, and efficient thermoelectricity. Research into stanene and stanene-based 2D materials, both experimentally and theoretically, is suggesting immense potential for future quantum-based electronics systems. Here, the fundamental features of stanene, progress in its synthesis, and future perspectives are discussed.