Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026

A Standard and Reliable Method to Fabricate Two-Dimensional Nanoelectronics
Published on: August 28, 2018
Stability limits of elemental 2D metals in graphene pores
Janne Nevalaita1, Pekka Koskinen1
1Nanoscience Center, Department of Physics, University of Jyväskylä, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland. pekka.koskinen@iki.fi.
Abstract:
Two-dimensional (2D) materials can be used as stabilizing templates for exotic nanostructures, including pore-stabilized, free-standing patches of elemental metal monolayers. Although these patches represent metal clusters under extreme conditions and are thus bound for investigations, they are poorly understood as their energetic stability trends and the most promising elements remain unknown. Here, using density-functional theory simulations and the liquid drop model to explore the properties of 45 elemental metal candidates, we identify metals that enable the largest and most stable patches. Simulations show that pores can stabilize patches up to ∼8 nm2 areas and that the most prominent candidate in a graphene template is Cu. The results, which are generalizable to templates also beyond graphene, provide encouragement for further, even more resolute experimental pursuit of 2D metals.
Related Concept Videos
Network Covalent Solids
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...
Metallic Solids
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
Complexation Equilibria: Factors Influencing Stability of Complexes
Fermi Level Dynamics
Electron affinity in semiconductors refers to the energy gap between the minimum of its conduction band and the vacuum level and it is a critical parameter in determining how easily a semiconductor can accept additional electrons.
The work...
Valence Bond Theory
Bonding in Metals

