Main Content
Publications 2026
222. B. Kirubasankar, A. Mondal, S. Joon Yun, D. Daw, Y. Xu, L.-A. T. Nguyen, Y. Koo, K. Kumar Paul, H. Hong, H. Lee, Y. Luo, K. Liu, N. Higashitarumizu, D. Erkensten, C. Yun Heo, Y.-R. Jeon, T. Lee, D.-H. Nam, X. Liu, S. M. Kim, D. L. Duong, Q. Wu, D. Akinwande, M. C. Hersam, A. Javey, E. Malic, B. Liu, T. Zhai, H. Yang, K.-D. Park, K. K. Kim, and Y. H. Lee, "Contemporary Challenges in van der Waals 2D Semiconductors", accepted by ACS Nano (2026)
Van der Waals (vdW) layered semiconductors have emerged as a unique class of quantum materials distinguished from their bulk counterparts by reduced dielectric screening, strong Coulomb interactions, large exciton binding energies, strong spin− orbit coupling, and pronounced thickness-dependent band structures. These fundamental attributes have enabled the exploration of exotic many-body physics and a broad spectrum of device applications, ranging from field-effect transistors and ferroelectric switches to optoelectronics, magnetic semiconductors, neuromorphic computing, and energy harvesting systems. Despite remarkable advances, critical challenges remain in the controlled synthesis of high-quality crystals, formation of low-resistance contacts, integration of stable and scalable gate dielectrics, and reliable device performance at the wafer scale. In this mega-review, we provide a comprehensive overview of contemporary challenges and future opportunities in vdW-layered semiconductors, structured across nine themes: growth and heterostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides, Ohmic contacts, emerging gate dielectrics, high-performance low-power field-effect transistors (FETs), diluted magnetic semiconductors, plasmonics and exciton propagation, hot-carrier solar cells, bioinspired neuromorphic computing, and electrocatalytic/photocatalytic energy conversion. By consolidating fundamental insights and device-level perspectives, this review aims to chart a roadmap for advancing vdW semiconductors from laboratory-scale discoveries to transformative technologies in electronics, optoelectronics, spintronics, and sustainable energy systems.
accepted by ACS Nano (2026)