White lead: A new naturally occurring 2D material

Atomic scale crystallographic structures of a quantum crystals depend on substrate, interfacial strain, defects, surface functionalities etc., which make it challenging to precisely control. To achieve high quality material, UHV conditions are prerequisite, which makes it costly. Naturally occurring 2D materials have tremendous significance in this regard. White lead, having weak interlayer coupling and easily found in natural ores have never been exfoliated. Keeping the novelty in mind, one needs to explore its physical as well as chemical behaviour and look out for appropriate applications. We for the first time, therefore, have sonochemically exfoliated white lead, and established its physical and chemical behaviour. We have also blended it with graphene oxide and explored its gas sensing applications and found the hybrid system to be very selective for NH3 gas. White lead, a naturally occurring 2D material; has been exfoliated for the first time and its hybrid with graphene oxide has been explored for gas sensing. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]White lead, a naturally occurring 2D material; has been exfoliated for the first time and its hybrid with graphene oxide has been explored for gas sensing.