Homoatomic flatlands beyond graphene: A new avenue for gas sensors

Since the discovery of graphene, research on finding such materials has extended quite fast in the last two decades. The layered architecture and very thin vertical height make it a two-dimensional material. Elemental materials have emerged parallel to other such two-dimensional materials. Anticipating their unique characteristics, the synthesis of these interesting materials has gained attention among researchers. Various techniques have been tried and tested for successful synthesis of these materials. Adequate electronic and chemical properties and a large surface-to-volume ratio along with several other distinctive properties have made these suitable for diverse applications including gas sensing, energy storage, and flexible electronics, etc. In this work, the recent work done in the area of gas sensors utilizing these elemental two-dimensional nanomaterials has been reviewed. First, an introduction to gas sensors and available homoatomic materials and their popular synthesis procedures are discussed in detail. Then, the application of each material in gas sensing through theoretical and experimental research in line with its current development is elaborated. Finally, a future outline, opportunities, and challenges of these sensors are discussed. This work provides a comprehensive and detailed review in the area of electronic sensors, particularly using homoatomic materials.