Srivastava Ravi P, Ranjan Pranay, Kumar Mukesh, Katiyar Ajit K
Department of Materials Engineering, IIT Jodhpur, Karwar Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India.
Rishabh Centre for Research and Innovation in Clean Energy, IIT Jodhpur, Karwar Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India.
Nanotechnology. 2025 Sep 25;36(39). doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/ae074a.
Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors, such as MXenes, transition metal dichalcogenides, black phosphorus, and emerging van der Waals heterostructures, have revolutionized the field of optoelectronics by offering exceptional electrical, optical, and mechanical properties at atomic-scale thickness. Their unique features, including tunable bandgaps, high absorption coefficients, and strong excitonic effects, enable a wide range of light detection and light emission applications, making them key materials for next-generation functional optoelectronic devices. This review explores recent breakthroughs in light detection technologies using 2D materials. As photodetectors, they offer ultrafast response rates and high sensitivity across a broad spectral range. In solar cell applications, 2D materials contribute to the development of lightweight, flexible, and efficient photovoltaic devices with enhanced charge transport. Image sensors based on 2D materials exhibit superior spatial resolution and spectral selectivity, while their integration into biomedical imaging platforms enables non-invasive diagnostics due to their biocompatibility. Furthermore, novel morphable light-tracking devices leverage the mechanical flexibility and photoresponsivity of 2D materials for adaptive photonic systems in wearable and robotic applications. On the emission front, 2D semiconductors are emerging as active light-emitting materials in LEDs, lasers, and quantum emitters, benefiting from direct bandgaps in monolayers and strong quantum confinement effects. Additionally, their application as backplane driving circuits in flexible displays is gaining momentum due to their high mobility, mechanical robustness, and transparency, enabling foldable and stretchable display technologies. Despite these advancements, practical implementation faces persistent intrinsic challenges such as high contact resistance, environmental instability, difficulties in controlled doping, and a lack of scalable, reproducible synthesis methods. These issues hinder device reliability and integration. This review also outlines the perspective toward commercialization, emphasizing the need for advancements in heterostructure engineering, and interface optimization. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative material processing, 2D semiconductors are poised to reshape the landscape of optoelectronics, bridging the gap between fundamental science and practical technologies.
二维（2D）半导体，如MXenes、过渡金属二硫属化物、黑磷以及新兴的范德华异质结构，通过在原子尺度厚度下展现出卓越的电学、光学和机械性能，彻底改变了光电子学领域。它们的独特特性，包括可调节的带隙、高吸收系数和强激子效应，使得一系列光探测和光发射应用成为可能，使其成为下一代功能性光电器件的关键材料。本综述探讨了使用二维材料的光探测技术的最新突破。作为光电探测器，它们在宽光谱范围内提供超快的响应速度和高灵敏度。在太阳能电池应用中，二维材料有助于开发具有增强电荷传输能力的轻质、柔性且高效的光伏器件。基于二维材料的图像传感器具有卓越的空间分辨率和光谱选择性，而将其集成到生物医学成像平台中，由于其生物相容性，能够实现非侵入性诊断。此外，新型可变形光跟踪器件利用二维材料的机械柔韧性和光响应性，用于可穿戴和机器人应用中的自适应光子系统。在发光方面，二维半导体正作为发光二极管、激光器和量子发射器中的有源发光材料崭露头角，这得益于单层中的直接带隙和强量子限制效应。此外，由于其高迁移率、机械坚固性和透明度，它们在柔性显示器中作为背板驱动电路的应用正日益受到关注，从而推动了可折叠和可拉伸显示技术的发展。尽管取得了这些进展，但实际应用仍面临一些持续存在的固有挑战，如高接触电阻、环境不稳定性、可控掺杂困难以及缺乏可扩展、可重复的合成方法。这些问题阻碍了器件的可靠性和集成。本综述还概述了商业化的前景，强调了在异质结构工程和界面优化方面取得进展的必要性。通过跨学科合作和创新的材料加工，二维半导体有望重塑光电子学的格局，弥合基础科学与实际技术之间的差距。
