Fabrication and applications of van der Waals heterostructures

Highlights The major synthetic strategies of van der Waals heterostructures based on 2D materials are introduced, including physical combination, gas-phase deposition, solvothermal synthesis and synchronous evolution. The fundamental principles, development trends, and strengths/weaknesses of each synthetic strategy are elaborated. The integration strategies of van der Waals heterostructures and their preferred applications are discussed, including electronics, photodetectors and energy-related applications. The potentials and challenges arising in the van der Waals heterostructures synthesis and applications are envisioned.