Xenes and Their Surface Chemistry for Nanomedicine

Two-dimensional materials composed of a single element, known as Xenes, have garnered significant attention in recent years. Following the pioneering isolation of graphene, numerous monoelemental 2D materials from Group 14 (tetrels) and Group 15 (pnictogens) of the periodic table have been extensively studied. Over the past decade, various Xenes, including derivatives of phosphorene, silicene, and germanene, have been described alongside graphene and its derivatives. The chemistry of graphene-based materials is well-established, with numerous derivatives such as fluorographene and graphane (fully hydrogenated graphene) being documented. Silicene and germanene, the heavier analogues of graphene, are typically synthesized through the chemical exfoliation of their layered precursor compounds. Several derivatives of these materials have been developed, and some have shown promise in drug delivery applications. Conversely, the surface chemistry of pnictogen-based 2D materials remains relatively underexplored, with only a few derivatives reported to date. The ability to control the surface chemistry of two-dimensional materials is vital for their application in nanomedicine, particularly for targeted drug delivery and the controlled release of therapeutic agents. This presentation will discuss various methods of surface functionalization and their implications for controlled drug delivery.