2D Monoelemental Arsenene, Antimonene, and Bismuthene: Beyond Black Phosphorus

Two-dimensional materials are responsible for changing research in materials science. After graphene and its counterparts, graphane, fluorographene, and others were introduced, waves of renewed interest in 2D binary compounds occurred, such as in metal oxides, transition-metal dichalcogenides (most often represented by MoS₂), metal oxy/hydroxide borides, and MXenes, to name the most prominent. Recently, interest has turned to two-dimensional monoelemental structures, such as monolayer black phosphorus and, very recently, to monolayer arsenic, antimony, and bismuth. Here, a short overview is provided of the area of exponentially increasing research in arsenene, antimonene, and bismuthene, which belong to the fifth main group of elements, the so-called pnictogens. A short review of historical work is provided, the properties of bulk allotropes of As, Sb, and Bi discussed, and then theoretical and experimental research on mono- and few-layered arsenene, antimonene, and bismuthene addressed, discussing their structures and properties.