Recent progress in emergent two-dimensional silicene

Although graphene is by far the most famous example of two-dimensional (2D) materials, which exhibits a wealth of exotic and intriguing properties, it suffers from a severe drawback. In this regard, the exploration of silicene, the silicon analog of the graphene material, has attracted substantial interest in the past decade. This review therefore provides a comprehensive survey of recent theoretical and experimental works on this 2D material. We first overview the distinctive structures and properties of silicene, including mechanical, electronic, and spintronic properties. We then discuss the growth and experimental characterization of silicene on Ag(111) and other different substrates, providing insights into the different phases or atomic arrangements of silicene observed on the metallic surfaces as well as on its electronic structures. Then, the recent state-of-the-art applications of silicene are summarized in section 4 with the aim to break the scientific and engineering barriers for application in nanoelectronics, sensors, energy storage devices, electrode materials, and quantum technology. Finally, the concluding remarks and the future prospects of silicene are also provided.

Automated summary

This review provides an overview of recent theoretical and experimental research on silicene, a two-dimensional material with distinct structures and properties. It discusses the growth and characterization of silicene on different substrates and its applications in nanoelectronics, sensors, energy storage devices, electrode materials, and quantum technology. The review also concludes with remarks on the future prospects of silicene.