Few-layer antimonene electrical properties

Antimonene-a single layer of antimony atoms- and its few layer forms are among the latest additions to the 2D mono-elemental materials family. Numerous predictions and experimental evidence of its re-markable properties including (opto)electronic, energetic or biomedical, among others, together with its robustness under ambient conditions, have attracted the attention of the scientific community. How-ever, experimental evidence of its electrical properties is still lacking. Here, we characterized the elec-tronic properties of mechanically exfoliated flakes of few-layer (FL) antimonene of different thicknesses (similar to 2-40 nm) through photoemission electron microscopy, kelvin probe force microscopy and transport measurements, which allows us to estimate a sheet resistance of similar to 1200 Q sq(-1) and a mobility of similar to 150 cm(2)V(-1)s(-1) in ambient conditions, independent of the flake thickness. Alternatively, our theoretical calculations indicate that topologically protected surface states (TPSS) should play a key role in the elec-tronic properties of FL antimonene, which supports our experimental findings. We anticipate our work will trigger further experimental studies on TPSS in FL antimonene thanks to its simple structure and significant stability in ambient environments. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

The electronic properties of different thicknesses of antimonene were characterized, showing a certain sheet resistance and mobility under ambient conditions. Theoretical calculations suggest that topologically protected surface states play a key role in the electronic properties of antimonene. The study is expected to trigger further experimental research on topologically protected surface states in antimonene due to its simple structure and significant stability in ambient environments.