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Feng et al. Microstructures 2023;3:2023017 Microstructures
DOI: 10.20517/microstructures.2023.01

Research Article Open Access

Microstructural constructing 2D tin allotropes on

Al(111): from quasi-periodic lattice to square-like
lattice

1,2
1,2
4
3
Haifeng Feng 1,2 , Xun Xu , Yundan Liu , Jincheng Zhuang , Weichang Hao , Yi Du 1,2 , Shi Xue Dou 2,3
1
School of Physics, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
2
Centre of Quantum and Matter Sciences, International Research Institute for Multidisciplinary Science, Beihang University,
Beijing 100191, China.
3
Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, Australian Institute for Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong,
Wollongong, New South Wales 2500, Australia.
4
School of Physics and Optoelectronics, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, Hunan, China.
Correspondence to: Prof./Dr. Yi Du, School of Physics, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China. E-mail: yi_du@buaa.edu.cn;
Dr. Haifeng Feng, School of Physics, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China. E-mail: haifengfeng@buaa.edu.cn
How to cite this article: Feng H, Xu X, Liu Y, Zhuang J, Hao W, Du Y, Dou SX. Microstructural constructing 2D tin allotropes on
Al(111): from quasi-periodic lattice to square-like lattice. Microstructures 2023;3:2023017.
https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/microstructures.2023.01
Received: 9 Jan 2023 Revised: 14 Feb 2023 Revised: 16 Feb 2023 Accepted: 23 Feb 2023 Published: 14 Mar 2023

Academic Editor: Zibin Chen Copy Editor: Fangling Lan Production Editor: Fangling Lan

Abstract
The lattice arrangement and degree of buckling have been playing vital roles in the structure stability, bonding
configuration, and electronic band structures of two-dimensional (2D) single-layer materials. Here, we fabricate
two tin allotropes beyond honeycomb stanene by epitaxial growth method on Al(111). Sn-I phase with quasi-
periodic lattice and Sn-II phase with square-like lattice have been identified by scanning tunneling microscopy.
Combined with scanning tunneling spectroscopy, it is revealed that Sn-II phase with four-coordinate tin atoms
exhibits enhanced decoupling effects due to their saturated bonds. In this study, the discovery of new lattice
arrangements with well-defined atomic structures beyond honeycomb lattice provides an appealing approach to
searching 2D elemental single layers and novel physical properties.

Keywords: Stanene, epitaxial growth, 2D lattice, STM

© The Author(s) 2023. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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