Emerging opportunities in the two-dimensional chalcogenide systems and architecture

Herein we review the evolving architecture of two-dimensional chalcogenide materials. We outline classes of specific materials and the evolution of their properties as they transition from nominally three to two-dimensionality, and especially in their single (or few) layer form. A variety of vapor-phase synthetic methods for the direct growth of large area single layers and the typical techniques for their characterization are presented. Lastly, we examine the potential of these materials as the fundamental building blocks of two-dimensional heterostructures and multi-dimensional nanocomposites. However, we also emphasize the need for fundamental experimental and theoretical undertaking to probe the classical problems like basic characterization and the dynamics of nucleation and growth in these 2D systems for realizing complex architecturing and resultant technologically useful phenomena and properties.