Recent Progress in the Synthesis of MoS2 Thin Films for Sensing, Photovoltaic and Plasmonic Applications: A Review

Abstract

In the surge of recent successes of 2D materials following the rise of graphene, molybdenum disulfide (2D-MoS2) has been attracting growing attention from both fundamental and applications viewpoints, owing to the combination of its unique nanoscale properties. For instance, the bandgap of 2D-MoS2, which changes from direct (in the bulk form) to indirect for ultrathin films (few layers), offers new prospects for various applications in optoelectronics. In this review, we present the latest scientific advances in the field of synthesis and characterization of 2D-MoS2 films while highlighting some of their applications in energy harvesting, gas sensing, and plasmonic devices. A survey of the physical and chemical processing routes of 2D-MoS2 is presented first, followed by a detailed description and listing of the most relevant characterization techniques used to study the MoS2 nanomaterial as well as theoretical simulations of its interesting optical properties. Finally, the challenges related to the synthesis of high quality and fairly controllable MoS2 thin films are discussed along with their integration into novel functional devices.

Electrostatic control of photoluminescence from A and B excitons in monolayer molybdenum disulfide

“…[1][2][3] In particular, monolayer MoS 2 presents strong photoluminescence (PL) and large exciton binding energy, providing a new platform to realize the emerging developments in various ultrathin optoelectronic devices. 1,[4][5][6][7][8] Due to the extremely large Coulomb interactions in atomically thin MoS 2 , stable excitons can be generated from the electron-hole pairs induced by photoexcitation even at room temperature. Generally, PL in monolayer MoS 2 is dominated by the recombination of electrons in the conduction band with holes in the spin-orbit split valence bands, which refers to the A excitons and B excitons at the direct bandgap transition at the K and K 0 points.…”

Two‐Dimensional Materials and their Hetero‐Superlattices for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

“…TMDCs have various polymorphs depending on the atomic arrangement of chalcogen atoms. In particular, MoS 2 has two polymorphic forms tetragonal and hexagonal, named 1T and 2H phases respectively (Figure 3b) [38,39] . On Li‐intercalation stable 2H‐phase converts into a less stable 1T‐phase.…”

“…In particular, MoS 2 has two polymorphic forms tetragonal and hexagonal, named 1T and 2H phases respectively (Figure 3b). [38,39] On Li-intercalation stable 2H-phase converts into a less stable 1T-phase. 2H-MoS 2 shows a hexagonal symmetry with trigonal prismatic (D 3H ) coordination of metal and chalcogen atoms while 1T-MoS 2 has a tetragonal crystal structure with octahedral (O h ) coordination (Figure 3b).…”

Pulsed Laser Phosphorus Doping and Nanocomposite Catalysts Deposition in Forming a-MoSx/NP-Mo//n+p-Si Photocathodes for Efficient Solar Hydrogen Production

“…Physical vapor deposition techniques of a-MoS x film formation (PVD: magnetron and pulsed laser deposition) seem to be more environmentally friendly and flexible than chemical techniques. Of particular interest here is pulsed laser deposition (PLD) [26][27][28][29][30]. Only MoS 2 powder is required to obtain a-MoS x films; the powder is pressed into the target wafers under normal conditions.…”