Surface/Interface Chemistry Engineering of Correlated‐Electron Materials: From Conducting Solids, Phase Transitions to External‐Field Response

Abstract

Correlated electronic materials (CEMs) with strong electron−electron interactions are often associated with exotic properties, such as metal‐insulator transition (MIT), charge density wave (CDW), superconductivity, and magnetoresistance (MR), which are fundamental to next generation condensed matter research and electronic devices. When the dimension of CEMs decreases, exposing extremely high specific surface area and enhancing electronic correlation, the surface states are equally important to the bulk phase. Therefore, surface/interface chemical interactions provide an alternative route to regulate the intrinsic properties of low‐dimensional CEMs. Here, recent achievements in surface/interface chemistry engineering of low‐dimensional CEMs are reviewed, using surface modification, molecule−solid interaction, and interface electronic coupling, toward modulation of conducting solids, phase transitions including MIT, CDW, superconductivity, and magnetism transition, as well as external‐field response. Surface/interface chemistry engineering provides a promising strategy for exploring novel properties and functional applications in low‐dimensional CEMs. Finally, the current challenge and outlook of the surface/interface engineering are also pointed out for future research development.

Modulation of Schottky Barrier Height by Nitrogen Doping and Its Influence on Responsivity of Monolayer MoS2 Photodetector

“…[16][17][18][19] Dopants used in TMDs include N 2 , phthalocyanine (Pc), Nb, and Zn, among others. [20][21][22][23] Covalent doping of TMDs, where single-atom dopants are injected via chalcogen or metal substitution into the TMD lattice, is a possible technique for achieving stable and controlled doping. [24] An MoS 2 example of covalent p-type doping has been demonstrated by replacing Mo with Nb in the development phase.…”

Lattice‐Confined Ir Clusters on Pd Nanosheets with Charge Redistribution for the Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction under Alkaline Conditions

“…strategy that designing Ir/Pd-based hybrid electrocatalysts with an optimal balance between the adsorption of H ad and OH ad at the heterointerfaces, thereby enhancing the HOR kinetics accordingly. [20,22,[30][31][32][33] In addition, engineering epitaxial nanostructures through depositing one nanocrystal on the surface of the other one has been considered as a promising method to develop advanced heterostructured catalysts with superior catalytic performance, [34][35][36] in great part due to their well-defined structures and heterointerfaces. [34] Herein, we report a heterostructured Ir@Pd electrocatalyst with enhanced activity and stability toward the HOR under alkaline conditions for the first time.…”

Chemical Modulation of Metal–Insulator Transition toward Multifunctional Applications in Vanadium Dioxide Nanostructures

“…As the dimensionality of the material comes down to nanometer scale, chemical approaches, such as surface chemical modification, and composition engineering, prevail in regulating their physicochemical properties. [17] The nanomaterials have large specific surface area with high proportional exposure of surface atoms, which can provide abundant anchoring sites for chemical species (e.g., atoms and small molecules), allowing the surface modification to regulate their intrinsic properties. The composition engineering of nanomaterials enables a superior doping distribution coupled with quantum confinement effect, resulting in unique properties.…”