Low-dimensional nanomaterials are new materials that have thicknesses and widths on the atomic scale, exhibiting properties distinct from those of conventional materials such as metals and plastics (3D materials). For example, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have an elongated 1D structure, making them lightweight, strong, and highly conductive. Graphene is a 2D material that is only one atomic layer thick and exhibits exceptional conductivity, surpassing that of copper. These low-dimensional materials are attracting attention as key materials driving innovations in electronics and energy technologies.

Van der Waals heterostructures are new composites formed by stacking or bonding different nanomaterials, where the combination of layers and stacking angles allows for the control of electrical and optical properties. These structures are held together by van der Waals forces, which preserve the properties of each individual layer while enabling the creation of new functionalities. In our laboratory, we are pioneering the creation of heterostructures that combine not only 2D materials such as graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), but also 1D materials like carbon nanotubes and boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT), as well as 3D materials like diamond-like carbon (DLC), pushing the boundaries of dimensional van der Waals heterostructures.