Gas sensing and capturing based on two-dimensional layered materials: Overview from theoretical perspective

Toxic gas detection and capture are two important topics, which are highly related with human health and environments. Recently, theoretical simulations based on first-principles calculations have suggested two-dimensional (2D) materials to be as ideal candidates for gas sensing and capturing due to the large surface-volume ratio and reactive surface. Starting from graphene, which was firstly proposed for 2D gas sensing, the family currently has been extended to transition metal dichalcogenides, phosphorene, silicene, germanene, MXene, and so on. In this review, we give a comprehensive overview of recent progress in computational investigations of 2D gas sensing/capture materials. We then offer perspectives on possible directions for further fundamental exploration of gas sensor and caption based on 2D materials, which are expected to offer tremendous new opportunities for future research and development.