Structural and Optical Modification of Siloxene Nanosheets Driven by Selenium Doping

2D nanomaterials have emerged as highly promising candidates for next-generation technologies due to their exceptional electronic and optical properties. Among these, siloxene nanosheets have garnered significant interest for their structural versatility, facile synthesis, and intrinsic semiconducting behavior. In this study, we explore selenium doping as a strategy to modulate the optoelectronic properties of siloxene. Silicon nanosheets were synthesized via the topochemical deintercalation of a purified CaSi₂ phase, followed by selenium incorporation through thermal evaporation. Comprehensive structural and spectroscopic analyses confirm the successful integration of selenium atoms while preserving the 2D framework of the nanosheets. Notably, selenium doping induces a pronounced bandgap narrowing, offering a viable pathway for tuning the electronic and optical characteristics of siloxene. These findings expand the potential of silicon-based 2D materials for high-performance applications in sensing, optoelectronics, and catalysis, paving the way for their integration into advanced technological platforms.