A new 'metal swap' method for creating lateral heterostructures of 2D materials

Electronically conducting two-dimensional (2D) materials are currently hot topics of research in both physics and chemistry due to their unique properties that have the potential to open new avenues in science and technology. Moreover, the combination of different 2D materials, called heterostructures, expands the diversity of their electrical, photochemical, and magnetic properties. This can lead to innovative electronic devices not achievable with a single material alone.