Scientists discover bulk material that exhibits monolayer behavior
Wednesday, February 19, 2014 - 09:40
in Physics & Chemistry
(Phys.org) —Most materials behave very differently in bulk (3D) form than they do in monolayer (2D) form. The difference occurs because of weak forces holding the multiple layers of a bulk material together, which results in electronic and vibrational coupling that alters the material's properties. Now in a new study, researchers have discovered a new material, rhenium disulfide (ReS2), that behaves like a single monolayer of ReS2 when in bulk form. Because preparing large sheets of monolayer material is often challenging, the bulk material could provide a simple way to harness the attractive properties normally found only in monolayers. As such, the material may be ideal for flexible solar cells and super-lubricant materials.