Phyllosilicates as earth-abundant layered materials for electronics and optoelectronics: Prospects and challenges in their ultrathin limit
Ingrid D. Barcelos, Raphaela de Oliveira, Gabriel R. Schleder, Matheus J. S. Matos, Raphael Longuinhos, Jenaina Ribeiro‐Soares, Ana Paula Moreira Barboza, Mariana C. Prado, Elisângela Silva Pinto, Y. Galvão Gobato, Hélio Chacham, Bernardo R. A. Neves, Alisson R. Cadore
Abstract
Phyllosilicate minerals are an emerging class of naturally occurring layered insulators with large bandgap energy that have gained attention from the scientific community. This class of lamellar materials has been recently explored at the ultrathin two-dimensional level due to their specific mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and optoelectronic properties, which are crucial for engineering novel devices (including heterostructures). Due to these properties, phyllosilicate minerals can be considered promising low-cost nanomaterials for future applications. In this Perspective article, we will present relevant features of these materials for their use in potential 2D-based electronic and optoelectronic applications, also discussing some of the major challenges in working with them.