Graphene/h-BN Heterostructures: Recent Advances in Controllable Preparation and Functional Applications

Vertical heterostructures based on two-dimensional (2D) layered materials such as graphene and hexagonal boron nitride have emerged as a new paradigm of functional materials. Representing the thinnest and most commonplace 2D heterostructures, graphene/h-BN, have recently attracted considerable attentions due to their remarkable morphological, electrical, and thermal properties. Herein, this research news highlights recent advances in the preparation of graphene/h-BN heterostructures, especially via two representative routes involving the one-batch chemical vapor deposition and co-segregation growth methods. Furthermore, several promising applications of such heterostructures in energy-efficient nanoelectronics, energy conversion as well as energy harvesting are also introduced. The existing challenges and future directions with respect to the controllable preparation and the related applications of such graphene/h-BN heterostructures are finally proposed.National Natural Science Foundation of China [51290272, 51472008, 51222201, 21201012, 51121091, 51072004, 51201069, 51520105003, 51432002]; Ministry of Science and Technology of China [2012CB921404, 2012CB933404, 2013CB932603]; Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Planning Project [Z151100003315013]SCI(E)EIARTICLEyanfengzhang@pku.edu.cn; zfliu@pku.edu.cn17,SI