Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy of Hot Electron Transport between Gold Nanoantennas and Molybdenum Disulfide by Plasmon Excitation

Abstract

Hot electron transport from single gold nanoantennas to underlying monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is examined using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). EELS allows nanometer‐scale resolution and avoids confounding effects of optical excitation. Experimental EELS measures of plasmon bandwidth in the presence and absence of MoS2 are compared with calculated bandwidth contributions from radiative, nonradiative, and interfacial damping. Transport of plasmon hot electrons from 80 nm gold nanospheres to underlying MoS2 is estimated. A 6 ± 1% hot electron transport quantum efficiency is inferred from a measured 0.08 eV increase in plasmon damping in the presence of MoS2. Hot electron transport can contribute to reported enhancements in catalysis and photodetection of MoS2 decorated with gold nanoantennas. Improved understanding of resonant electric interactions between noble metal nanoantennas and transition metal dichalcogenides can benefit emerging optoelectronics.

Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy of Surface Plasmon Resonances on Aberrant Gold Nanostructures

“…The bandwidth of each EELS plasmon mode comprises plasmon-excited electron decay pathways including carrier–carrier scattering and carrier–phonon scattering. For example, EELS has been used to infer efficiencies of hot carrier transfer from localized surface plasmons (LSP) excited on metal nanostructures to supporting graphene and molybdenum difsulfide by accounting for alternate contributions to resonant bandwidth.…”

Production of monolayer-rich gold-decorated 2H–WS2 nanosheets by defect engineering

“…[25][26][27][28] As a result, Au 0 is produced and nucleates to form Au nanoparticles (AuNPs). Such TMD-Au hybrids are interesting for a number of applications ranging from rechargeable batteries, 27 to biosensing, 29,30 optoelectronics, [31][32][33] and catalysis. [34][35][36] Finally, as in any material, defects largely control the properties of the 2D nanosheets.…”

Gold Decoration and Photoresistive Response to Nitrogen Dioxide of WS2 Nanotubes

“…As reported by Forcherio et al., hot electrons generated in plasmonic gold nanoparticles deposited onto WS 2 readily transfer to the disulfide counterpart in 7 fs, with a quantum efficiency of up to 11±5 %. Formation of a direct chemical bond between gold and an outer sulfur layer of WS 2 plays a beneficial role in this process, resulting in faster and more efficient hot electron transfer, as compared to AuNPs physically deposited onto MoS 2 nanoflakes . Note that our study revealed possible Au−S bonding on the AuNP/NT‐WS 2 interface of the prepared nanocomposites.…”