Although atomically thin 2D materials have attracted great interest from their unique properties and promising applications, the integration of multiple 2D materials or their modifications are more exciting because they offer opportunities to explore new frontier of materials science. This perspective illustrates the new concept of “2.5-dimensional (2.5D) materials”, which symbolically represents the great potential offered by different routes to extend the realm of 2D materials. Some examples of 2.5D materials are reviewed, such as multicomponent heterostructures, intercalation, combination with other dimensional materials, functionalization, and application to 3D devices. In this perspective, we present the recent progress of this 2.5D materials research and future outlook.
- Hiroki Ago
- Pablo Solís-Fernández