Two-dimensional silicene/silicon and its derivatives: Properties, synthesis and frontier applications

Due to their unique properties, a lot of two-dimensional (2D) materials have been predicted and produced in the past decades. Furthermore, 2D materials have exhibited great application prospects in various frontier fields. Silicene as a novel 2D material has become the research interest of scientists and engineers in recent years. In this review, we firstly review the conception, structure, and properties of silicene. Then, we summarize the advanced fabrication methods of 2D silicene/silicon as direct fabrication techniques, dealloying techniques, metallic reduction techniques, and topochemical techniques, and discuss the merits and demerits of every fabrication method. In addition, the investigations about silicene derivatives are also summarized and discussed. Subsequently, the utilizations of 2D silicene/silicon and its derivatives in energy storage devices, catalysts, biomedicine, sensors, and electronic devices are reviewed. Finally, further development of preparation methods and application advances of 2D silicene/silicon and its derivatives are prospected. This review shall assist scientists in the fabrication and application of 2D silicene/silicon and its derivatives on above frontier applications.