Epitaxial fabrication of 2D materials of group IV elements

Experimental fabrication and investigation of unique properties of two-dimensional monoatomic layers of carbon, silicon, germanium, and tin on different surfaces have opened bright perspectives for development of devices of new generation. Wide opportunities to control their exotic electronic and optical properties via appropriate choice of substrate, content and geometry of two-dimensional layer, combined with elastic strain engineering, made them the central theme of research in the field of nanotechnology and materials science. In this work we review epitaxial methods of synthesis of two-dimensional materials of group IV elements: silicene, germanene, and stanene. General structural properties of these materials are also briefly considered. Special attention is paid to the technological growth modes, providing fabrication of high-quality large-area two-dimensional structures necessary for emerging device application.