A practical guide for crystal growth of van der Waals layered materials

Abstract

This Tutorial provides an overview of the techniques that are most commonly utilized to grow bulk van der Waals crystals. The materials discussed were selected to highlight various challenges that are often encountered during crystal growth. In relatively equal parts, the text covers melt-based techniques, vapor transport growths, and the characterization of crystal quality with an emphasis on structural and chemical homogeneities. Pertinent details are given regarding the growth and characterization of many specific compounds, with examples mostly drawn from our own research, and an effort is made to highlight cases where the growths offer a particular lesson or the conditions have a significant impact on the crystal's physical properties. A primary goal is to motivate more researchers to grow crystals by providing general descriptions and considerations for different growth techniques and equipment while sharing some of our own lessons learned and best practices for the growth and characterization of layered van der Waals crystals. The Tutorial is not written solely for aspiring crystal growers, however, because any researcher who collaborates with a crystal grower can benefit from having a greater understanding and appreciation of the processes of crystal growth and materials development.