Toward 2D materials for flexible electronics: opportunities and outlook

Two-dimensional nanomaterials exhibit exceptional multifunctional properties including high-electron mobilities/saturation velocities, high surface to volume ratios, unique layered structures and mechanical compliance, positioning the class of materials to be influential in next-generation flexible electronics for applications in wearables and the Internet of things. In this perspective, three key areas of interest are identified that take advantage of the multifunctional nature of these materials including molecular sensing, van der Waals transfer and compliant radio frequency electronics. Significantly more progress needs to be made to realize commercialization of these materials, but the revolutionary accessible properties may reveal themselves in these three key areas of future flexible electronic systems.