Scalable Fabrication of Molybdenum Disulfide Nanostructures and their Assembly

Abstract

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) have attracted immense research interest owing to their 2D stacking molecular structures and the resulted chemical and physical properties. [1] Among various TMD materials, single-crystal molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2) nanoflakes in the 2H-phase, which constitute the basic unit of various crystalline MoS 2 nanostructures and bulk MoS 2 , possess edge sites and in plane sulfur vacancies which for instance show outstanding catalytic activity with an ultralow hydrogen adsorption Gibbs free energy-similar to that of the most efficient platinum and other noble metals. [2] However, in contrast to platinum, MoS 2 is much cheaper, and because it is a semiconductor, its electric conductivity can be readily tuned by the application of a voltage or light. This has been exploited in a variety of applications. For instance, MoS 2 has been demonstrated as an optical and biochemical sensor material. [3] MoS 2 fieldeffect transistors exhibit an on/off ratio as high as ≈10 8 and near-ideal subthreshold Molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2) is a multifunctional material that can be used for various applications. In the single-crystalline form, MoS 2 shows superior electronic properties. It is also an exceptionally useful nanomaterial in its polycrystalline form with applications in catalysis, energy storage, water treatment, and gas sensing. Here, the scalable fabrication of longitudinal MoS 2 nanostructures, i.e., nanoribbons, and their oxide hybrids with tunable dimensions in a rational and well-reproducible fashion, is reported. The nano ribbons, obtained at different reaction stages, that is, MoO 3 , MoS 2 /MoO 2 hybrid, and MoS 2 , are fully characterized. The growth method presented herein has a high yield and is particularly robust. The MoS 2 nanoribbons can readily be removed from its substrate and dispersed in solution. It is shown that functionalized MoS 2 nanoribbons can be manipulated in solution and assembled in controlled patterns and directly on microelectrodes with UV-click-chemistry. Owing to the high chemical purity and polycrystalline nature, the MoS 2 nanostructures demonstrate rapid optoelectronic response to wavelengths from 450 to 750 nm, and successfully remove mercury contaminants from water. The scalable fabrication and manipulation followed by light-directed assembly of MoS 2 nanoribbons, and their unique properties, will be inspiring for device fabrication and applications of the transition metal dichalcogenides.

Tunable Strong Coupling in Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Nanowires

“…[49] In addition, the colloidal state of MoS 2 nanowires presented here offers extra flexibility for their implementation in photonic devices. For example, the easy integration of optical manipulation [50,51] and electric manipulation [30,52,53] techniques permits the controlled trapping, positioning, and assembly of multiple nanowires to more complex superstructures for enhanced functionalities.…”

“…">Results and DiscussionMoS 2 nanowires were synthesized from MoO 3 nanowire precursors via a two-step sulfurization process (see Experimental Section). [30] The first sulfurization reaction at 500 °C converted MoO 3 nanowires to more thermally stable MoS 2 /MoO 2 hybrid nanowires, after which a second sulfurization process was carried out at 900 °C to produce pure MoS 2 nanowires (Figure 1a; Note S1, Supporting Information). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) were used for materials characterization.…”

Large Area Patterning of Nanoparticles and Nanostructures: Current Status and Future Prospects

“…111 A technique combining the use of an electrical field to manipulate particles and a light field to fix particles was recently introduced. 112 Electric manipulation demonstrates a high degree of control and precision, and it can be applied to NPs made of any materials including metals, semiconductors, and insulators. Here, both uniform DC and AC electric fields were used.…”

Portable Bulk-Water Disinfection by Live Capture of Bacteria with Divergently Branched Porous Graphite in Electric Fields

“…[15,16] Notably, the recent advances in micro/nanomachines powered by external stimuli, such as light and magnetic fields, demonstrate the feasibility in decontaminating bacteria, organic molecules, toxic metal ions, and microplastics. [17][18][19][20][21][22] However, most research works only treat water of a fraction of a milliliter confined in a microwell, are still at the concept-proof stage.…”