Multifaceted Frontiers of Two-Dimensional Materials: From Controlled Synthesis to Multifunctional Applications

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have emerged as a transformative platform in interdisciplinary research, characterized by atomically thin layers, exceptional electronic structures and outstanding physicochemical properties. This review provides a systematic overview and synthesis of recent advances in 2D materials, establishing a comprehensive framework from fundamental characterization to functional device implementation. We first delineate the controlled growth strategies centered on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and bottom-up on-surface synthesis, highlighting the pivotal role of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in achieving atomic-resolution structural analysis and real-time observation of defect evolution. Subsequently, we examine state-of-the-art applications across six critical domains: (1) 2D materials have been controllably synthesized and atomically characterized; (2) electronics and optoelectronics, encompassing field-effect transistors, ferroelectric tunnel junctions and flexible electronic skins; (3) energy storage and conversion, providing mechanistic insights into electrocatalysis and photocatalysis (HER/OER/ORR), lithium/sodium-ion batteries and thermoelectric materials; (4) thermal management, focusing on design principles for high-thermal-conductivity composites and interfacial thermal resistance engineering; (5) functional membranes, emphasizing the barrier and molecular-sieving effects of 2D carbon-based membranes in seawater desalination, ion-selective transport and corrosion-resistant coatings; (6) metal matrix composites, demonstrating how graphene enhances metallic matrices through tailored interface engineering and multiscale hybrid architectures. Finally, we address critical challenges — scalable manufacturing, interfacial stability and multiperformance optimization — and project future directions, including artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted materials design, multifield-coupled intelligent responsiveness and green, sustainable fabrication pathways. This work provides theoretical guidance and technical reference for the translation of 2D materials from laboratory innovations to industrial deployment.