Graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, and their heterostructures: properties and applications

In recent years, two-dimensional atomic-level thickness crystal materials have attracted widespread interest such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), silicene, germanium, black phosphorus (BP), transition metal sulfides and so on. These graphene-like two-dimensional (2D) materials have a lot of excellent characteristics such as high specific surface area and high Young's modulus, and many potential applications in diverse areas such as photo-electricity, catalysts, and transistors. In this review, we introduced the synthesis, structure, properties, and applications of graphene, h-BN, and their heterostructures, especially focused on their mechanical, optical, thermal, electric, and magnetic properties. Finally, we present the outlooks and perspectives for these types of excellent 2D materials and their potential applications.