New 2D compound of silver and tellurium could have useful electronic properties

A single layer of silver and tellurium atoms (AgTe) has been grown on the (111) facet of a silver substrate (Ag(111)) for the first time ever. Little is known about this material other than that its electrons experience strong spin-orbit coupling, which could lead to novel and potentially useful electronic properties. This development happened by chance, when researchers in China were attempting to grow the promising topological insulator candidate, 2D Ag₂Te.