Recent development in the synthesis of twisted Van der Waals heterostructures

Abstract

Twisted van der Waals (t-vdW) heterostructures (HSs), where the electronic and optical properties can be modulated by the interlayer twist angle, have led to the emerging field of “Twistronics.” By precisely controlling the twist angle in stacked vdW materials, researchers are uncovering novel properties and quantum phenomena such as superconductivity, magnetism, and unique charge transport behaviors. This review presents recent advancements in the growth and synthesis of t-vdW HSs focusing mostly on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and mechanical exfoliation (ME) along with some other techniques including Metal Organic CVD (MOCVD) and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). We discuss various methods used to control the twist angles, including mechanical stacking and rotational assembly. Each technique’s strengths and limitations are evaluated, particularly in the context of producing high-quality HSs with tunable properties. Special attention is given to optimizing CVD processes to achieve reproducible growth of twisted HSs with precise twist angles. Additionally, this review also explores the theoretical and experimental insights into the influence of twist angles on physical, optical, and electronic properties of vdW HSs. By examining the progress and challenges in this field, we highlight future directions and the potential of t-vdW HSs in advancing next-generation opto-electronic and quantum devices.

Graphical abstract