Vapor phase epitaxy of antimonene-like nanocrystals on germanium by an MOCVD process

Synthetic two-dimensional (2D) mono-elemental crystals, namely X-enes, have recently emerged as a new frontier for atomically thin nanomaterials with on-demand properties. Among antimonene, the β-phase allotrope of antimony, is formed by atoms arranged in buckled hexagonal rings bearing comparatively higher environmental stability respect to other players this kind. However, exploitation monolayer or few-layer antimonene and 2D materials novel opto-electronic devices still hurdled lack scalable processes. Here, we demonstrated viability bottom-up process epitaxial growth antimonene-like nanocrystals (ANCs), based on Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) process, assisted gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) commensurate (1 1 1)-terminated Ge surfaces. The mechanism was investigated large- local-area microstructural analysis, revealing that etching germanium, catalyzed Au NPs, led ANCs exposed 1) planes. As supportive picture, ab-initio calculations rationalized relationship terms compressively strained ANCs. Our could pave way realization large-area layers deposition compatible current semiconductor manufacturing technology.