The properties and prospects of chemically exfoliated nanosheets for quantum materials in two dimensions

The aim of this review is to elucidate the potential of chemically exfoliated sheets for the field of quantum matter. Quantum materials are loosely defined as materials that do not follow the laws of classical physics; the family commonly includes complex magnets, topological materials, or superconductors. Two-dimensional (2D) materials have been key in driving the field of quantum matter forward due to the high degree of tunability they offer. However, progress has largely been made with mechanically exfoliated sheets while chemically exfoliated sheets have been mostly ignored. The latter offer a wide range of advantages, for example, chemical exfoliation gives access to 2D materials that are unobtainable with other methods. In this review, we highlight the progress that has been made in exploring properties that can be associated with quantum materials of chemically exfoliated nanosheets. We will cover magnetic chemically exfoliated sheets, their use in transistors, their potential as 2D topological insulators, and opportunities that arise for the emerging field of twistronics. We will highlight both the advantages and current shortcomings of chemically exfoliated quantum materials and address how shortcomings might be overcome in the future. We conclude that while the prospects of chemically exfoliated sheets for quantum materials are still underexplored, they offer a large potential for having an impact in that field.

Automated summary

This review discusses the potential of chemically exfoliated sheets in the field of quantum materials, highlighting their advantages and current challenges. While chemically exfoliated sheets offer access to 2D materials unobtainable with other methods, most research has focused on mechanically exfoliated sheets.