Rapid preparation of single-layer transition metal dichalcogenide nanosheets via ultrasonication enhanced lithium intercalation

Abstract

In this report, we have developed a rapid and versatile ultrasonication enhanced lithium intercalation (ULI) method to prepare single-layer transition metal dichalcogenide nanosheets (TMDC NSs, including MoS2, WS2, and TiS2) by using n-butyllithium (n-BuLi).

Recent Advances in Synthesis and Biomedical Applications of Two‐Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Nanosheets

“…ci) Schematic illustration of ultrasonication enhanced lithium intercalation (ULI) approach to prepare single‐layer 2D TMDC NSs, ii) AFM images of MoS 2 NSs prepared by the ULI method with different scales. Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2016, The Royal Society of Chemistry.…”

“…Nevertheless, this conventional lithium intercalation approach is time‐consuming and sometimes needs high temperature, which is harsh for the use of n‐BuLi . Most recently, our group developed a versatile and rapid ultrasonication enhanced lithium intercalation (ULI) strategy to prepare single‐layer TMDC NSs, including MoS 2 , WS 2 , and TiS 2 (Figure c) . The ULI method can take the advantage of the extraordinary reaction conditions provided by ultrasonication, such as local high temperature and pressure, activation of the hexamer of n‐BuLi, and increased mass‐transfer of reactants between the solid‐liquid interfaces.…”

Recent Advances in Functional‐Polymer‐Decorated Transition‐Metal Nanomaterials for Bioimaging and Cancer Therapy

“…Lithium intercalation is the most commonly used chemical exfoliation technique to produce single‐layer transition metals with a large scale, and n ‐butyllithium is used as the lithiation reagent . Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has been intensively explored to synthesize monolayered transition‐metal nanomaterials with few defects and favorable controllability . Nevertheless, the present challenge of CVD is to realize large‐scale and layer‐controlled synthesis .…”

“…Therefore, as‐obtained WSe 2 ‐BSA has high stability (Figure b) and excellent biocompatibility in a physiological environment without any further modification. The above nanomaterials are prepared through a “top‐down” method, which can be time consuming, and the thickness of the prepared nanosheets is usually uncontrollable . Thus, many researchers choose to design functional‐polymer‐functionalized transition‐metal compounds through a one‐pot, bottom‐up method.…”

Recent Advances in Functional Polymer Decorated Two‐Dimensional Transition‐Metal Dichalcogenides Nanomaterials for Chemo‐Photothermal Therapy

“…Up until now, chemical vapor deposition has proven to be the most promising method for the synthesis of monolayered TMDCs with less‐defect and good controllability . In 2002, Balendhran et al.…”