In the quest for new materials to enable more efficient electronics, scientists are investigating 2D materials—sheets just one atom thick with potentially unique electronic properties. When two such sheets are stacked at specific angles, new phenomena, like superconductivity, may emerge [1]. Antonija Grubišić-Čabo, a materials scientist at the University of Groningen, and her team studied one such ‘twisted’ material and found that it exhibited unexpected behaviour, challenging theoretical predictions.

Figure 1. 2D Materials

Collaborating with researchers from Poland, Germany, France, and Italy, Grubišić-Čabo’s team examined sheets of tungsten disulfide, a 2D material. Theoretical models suggested that when two sheets (forming a bilayer) are stacked at a 4.4-degree angle, the electrons in the material should exhibit collective behaviour. Giovanna Feraco, the study’s lead author, explains, “When these sheets are closely aligned, their collective behaviour can lead to new and fascinating effects.” Figure 1 shows 2D Materials.

However, Feraco did not observe the expected collective behaviour in experiments, which can be attributed to the interactions between atoms in the bilayer. While the twist typically facilitates these interactions, the team discovered that the material tends to “relax” into large, untwisted regions. “By studying the electronic structure in the bilayer, we found that the material partially reverts to a lower-energy, untwisted configuration,” Feraco explains.

This discovery underscores the importance of understanding how the two sheets in the bilayer form different regions with varying properties [2]. The study also enhances scientists' ability to predict and control the behavior of 2D structures, paving the way for future applications in various types of electronics.

References:

1. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1069204?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. https://www.labmanager.com/2d-materials-with-a-twist-show-unexpected-electronic-behavior-33354

Cite this article:

Janani R (2024), 2D Materials with a 'Twist' Reveal Unexpected Electronic Properties, AnaTechMaz, pp. 82