Transition metal dichalcogenide quantum dots: Synthesis, properties, and applications for electrochemistry, energy storage, and solar cells

Abstract

Atomically thick two‐dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have been extensively studied as optoelectronic materials because of their distinctive electronic structures and outstanding photonic and catalytic properties. In particular, when the size of TMDs are decreased to the quantum scale, they possess wider bandgaps and higher surface‐to‐volume ratios with more active edge sites per unit mass. Hence, they are promising for use in sensor, battery, and electrocatalytic applications. In this study, we briefly review the various popular synthesis methods of TMD quantum dots (QDs) from top‐down and bottom‐up approaches. Then, we summarize the optical, electronic, and catalytic properties of TMD QDs. Furthermore, recent progress on electrochemistry, energy storage, and solar cell applications of TMD QDs is summarized in detail. Finally, we summarize current research bottlenecks of TMD QDs and discuss potential avenues for future research.

Assessing Optical and Electronic Behaviors in Transition-Metal Dichalcogenide Quantum Dots through Structural Modification of Acceptors

“…The reduced number of layers in TMD-QDs, compared to 2D materials, enhances the photoluminescence (PL) and the electron transfer ability in TMD-QDs, enabling them to be aptly used as fluorescent probes in various biomedical applications. − For example, through PL quenching of MoS 2 and WS 2 QDs resulting from PET by Fe 3+ ions, a turn-off probe for monitoring intracellular Fe 3+ ions and a turn-on probe for monitoring intracellular lipoic acid have been developed. , Moreover, based on the hybrid graphene-MoS 2 QDs, various lower dimensional heterosurfaces with better electrocatalytic properties are synthesized …”