Exfoliaia

Exfoliaia is a hypothetical two-dimensional layered nanomaterial used in theoretical discussions of exfoliation processes. It is characterized by strong in-plane covalent bonds and weaker interlayer van der Waals interactions, facilitating mechanical or chemical delamination into ultrathin sheets.

The term Exfoliaia was coined in a 2015 study by Marin et al. as a generic example of a layered compound. The name combines Latin exfoliare to peel away and the suffix -ia for class naming.

In the fictional model, Exfoliaia consists of alternating layers of Type A and Type B units arranged in a layered lattice; a representative composition is AB2, with interlayer spacing d around 0.6–0.8 nm, modifiable by intercalation. The material is designed to have tunable electronic structure.

Synthetic routes described include mechanical exfoliation of a parent layered compound or chemical vapor deposition to form nanosheets. Exfoliaia sheets exhibit high surface area, adjustable bandgap, and good mechanical flexibility; air stability depends on composition, with some variants prone to oxidation.

Proposed applications include energy storage, catalysis, and sensing. It remains a hypothetical construct used to illustrate exfoliation physics; no confirmed experimental synthesis or natural occurrence is documented.