This paper reviews the effect of ambient exposure on the properties of selected 2D materials. Many molecules in ambient air can adsorb onto 2D material surfaces to impact their properties and device performance. This paper highlights recent work on the interaction between 2D materials and three ambient-present molecules: O2, H2O, and airborne hydrocarbons. We focus our discussions on graphene but also include research on other 2D materials, such as BN, transition metal dichalcogenides, and 2D heterostructures. We discuss the molecular mechanism of their interactions with 2D materials and the impact on electrical, optical, and wetting properties and device performances.
