Chemical functionalisation of 2D materials via batch and continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis

2D materials are single or few layered materials consisting of one or several elements with a thickness of a few nanometers. Their unique, tunable physical and chemical properties including ease of chemical functionalization makes this class of materials useful in a variety of technological applications. The feasibility of 2D materials strongly depends on better synthetic approaches to improve properties, increase performance and durability and reduce costs. As such, in the synthesis of nanomaterials, hydrothermal processes are widely adopted through a precursor-product synthesis route. This method includes batch or continuous flow systems, both employing water at elevated temperatures (above boiling point) and pressures to fine tune the physical, chemical, optical and electronic properties of the nanomaterial. Both techniques yield particles with different morphology, size and surface area due to different mechanisms of particle formation. In this review, we present batch and continuous hydrothermal synthesis of a selection of 2D derivatives (graphene, MXene and molybdenum disulphide), their chemical functionalisation as an advantageous approach in exploring properties of these materials as well as the benefits and challenges of employing these processes, and an outlook for further research.