Xingxing Zhang
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Environmental Stimuli‐Irresponsive Long‐Term Radical Scavenging of 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides through Defect‐Mediated Hydrogen Atom Transfer in Aqueous Media
Stable Sulfur‐Intercalated 1T′ MoS2 on Graphitic Nanoribbons as Hydrogen Evolution Electrocatalyst
The metastable 1T′ polymorph of MoS2 is an excellent catalyst toward the hydrogen evolution reaction. However, its production is limited by its lower energetic stability compared to the semiconductor 2H MoS2 phase. Stabilization of the 1T′ polymorph can be achieved through intercalation of sulfur‐based compounds without adversely affecting its catalytic properties.
Abstract
The metastable 1T′ polymorph of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has shown excellent catalytic activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water‐splitting applications. Its basal plane exhibits high catalytic activity comparable to the edges in 2H MoS2 and noble metal platinum. However, the production and application of this polymorph are limited by its lower energetic stability compared to the semiconducting 2H MoS2 phase. Here, the production of stable intercalated 1T′ MoS2 nanosheets attached on graphitic nanoribbons is reported. The intercalated 1T′ MoS2 exhibits a stoichiometric S:Mo ratio of 2.3 (±0.1):1 with an expanded interlayer distance of 10 Å caused by a sulfur‐rich intercalation agent and is stable at room temperature for several months even after drying. The composition, structure, and catalytic activity toward HER are investigated both experimentally and theoretically. It is concluded that the 1T′ MoS2 phase is stabilized by the intercalated agents, which further improves the basal planes′ catalytic activity toward HER.
A MoSe2/WSe2 Heterojunction‐Based Photodetector at Telecommunication Wavelengths
van der Waals heterostructures are demonstrated as building blocks for photonics and optoelectronics. Herein, a sub‐bandgap photodetection at λ = 1550 nm based on a MoSe2/WSe2 heterojunction is demonstrated. The high responsivity as well as high normalized photocurrent‐to‐dark current ratio indicate that the heterojunction device has promising applications in future optoelectronic.
Abstract
van der Waals (vdW) heterojunctions enable arbitrary combinations of different layered semiconductors with unique band structures, offering distinctive band engineering for photonic and optoelectronic devices with new functionalities and superior performance. Here, an interlayer photoresponse of a few‐layer MoSe2/WSe2 vdW heterojunction is reported. With proper electrical gating and bias, the heterojunction exhibits high‐sensitivity photodetection with the operation wavelength extended up to the telecommunication band (i.e. 1550 nm). The photoresponsivity and normalized photocurrent‐to‐dark current ratio reach up to 127 mA W−1 and 1.9 × 104 mW−1, respectively. The results not only provide a promising solution to realize high‐performance vdW telecommunication band photodetectors, but also pave the way for using sub‐bandgap engineering of two‐dimensional layered materials for photonic and optoelectronic applications.
Diverse Atomically Sharp Interfaces and Linear Dichroism of 1T' ReS2‐ReSe2 Lateral p–n Heterojunctions
2D distorted octahedral (1T') ReS2‐ReSe2 lateral heterojunctions with atomically sharp interfaces are synthesized by using two‐step epitaxial growth. Diverse interface structures and polarization‐sensitive photodiode properties are achieved in the 1T' heterojunctions, which open up new prospects for transition‐metal dichalcogenides in building multi‐functional electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Abstract
Creating heterojunctions between different 2D transition‐metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) would enable on‐demand tuning of electronic and optoelectronic properties in this new class of materials. However, the studies to date are mainly focused on hexagonal (2H) structure TMD‐based heterojunctions, and little attention is paid on the distorted octahedral (1T') structure TMD‐based heterojunctions. This study reports the large‐scale synthesis of monolayer 1T' ReS2‐ReSe2 lateral heterojunction with domain size up to 100 µm by using two‐step epitaxial growth. Atomic‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy reveals high crystal quality of the heterojunction with atomically sharp interfaces. Interestingly, three types of epitaxial growth modes accompanying formation of three different interface structures are revealed in the growth of 1T' heterojunction, where the angle between the b‐axis of ReS2 and ReSe2 is 0°, 120°, and 180°, respectively. The 0° and 180° interface structures are both found to be more abundant than the 120° interface structure owing to their relative lower formation energy. Electrical transport demonstrates that the as‐grown heterostructure forms lateral p–n junction with intrinsic rectification characteristics and exhibits polarization‐dependent photodiode properties. This is the first time the linear dichroism is achieved in 2D lateral heterostructure, which is important for the development of new devices with multi‐functionality.
Exploring the synergy of 2D MXene-supported black phosphorus quantum dots in hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions
DOI: 10.1039/C8TA08374F, Communication
Black phosphorus quantum dots (BP QDs) are facilely loaded on MXene nanosheets through van der Waals self-assembly. The resulting BP QDs/MXene nanohybrids, as a bifunctional electrocatalyst, exhibit remarkable synergy in both hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions.
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Solution‐Processable Two‐Dimensional In2Se3 Nanosheets as Efficient Photothermal Agents for Elimination of Bacteria
Large‐scale 2D α‐In2Se3 nanosheets were prepared by a solvent exfoliation technique. The obtained α‐In2Se3 nanosheets exhibit excellent near‐infrared (NIR) photothermal performance under an 808 nm laser irradiation, which leads to a significant antibacterial effect. The excellent photothermal performance highlights the potential application in chemical and biological fields of α‐In2Se3 nanosheets.
Abstract
Two‐dimensional (2D) nanoflakes represent an appealing class of materials for optoelectronics applications due to their unique layered structures and excellent electronic properties. However, the lack of easy‐to‐manipulate and effective methods for large‐scale production of these 2D materials limits their potential for applications. Also, few efforts have been made to explore their applications in biological fields. This work reports the preparation of large quantities of 2D In2Se3 nanosheets through a solvent exfoliation technique. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy results show that the In2Se3 nanosheets are obtained with lateral sizes of tens of nanometers to hundreds of nanometers and thickness of 2–17 layers. Raman features coupled with the X‐ray diffractometry results unequivocally confirm the as‐prepared In2Se3 nanosheets to be α phase. Moreover, these α‐In2Se3 nanosheets exhibit an excellent near‐infrared (NIR) photothermal performance under an 808 nm laser irradiation. NIR photo‐excitation of the α‐In2Se3 nanosheets in the presence of bacteria leads to a significant antibacterial effect, suggesting that these nanosheets have great potential to be photothermal antibacterial agents. Our work on α‐In2Se3 nanosheets presents an available method for exfoliating 2D layered materials, and highlights the potential application in chemical and biological fields of α‐In2Se3 nanosheets.
Molecular Functionalization of Two‐Dimensional MoS2 Nanosheets
Molybdenum disulfide nanosheets have attracted great scientific interest for their remarkable electronic and optical properties. Key points related with the exfoliation routes, the surface functionalization approaches and the impact on the electronic, optical, and light‐harvesting properties of those hybrid nanostructures are comprehensively discussed.
Abstract
Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets have attracted great scientific interest for their remarkable electronic and optical properties. During the last few years significant progress on exfoliation methods of such nanosheets allowed the development of surface functionalization in covalent or noncovalent fashion. Markedly, the chemical modification allows tailoring and tuning the optical and electronic characteristics of MoS2, opening new avenues for the potentiality of MoS2‐based hybrids in diverse technological fields. Physisorption of organic molecules onto MoS2 through the development of numerous van der Waals interactions is the most widely approach employed for the surface noncovalent immobilization of organic species onto MoS2 nanosheets. Conversely, developed strategies for the edge and in‐plane covalent functionalization of MoS2 mainly concern chemistry at S vacancies, direct C−S bond formation, and coordination of S edges at metal centers. Herein, we focus into the most representative molecular doping strategies and material designing of MoS2‐based hybrid nanostructures carrying photo‐ and/or electro‐active components. Key points related with the exfoliation routes, the surface functionalization approaches and their impact on the electronic properties of the functionalized nanosheets are comprehensively discussed, offering a toolbox for scientists of different disciplines interested in putting a step forward in the field of transition‐metal dichalcogenide‐based materials.
Layer dependent magnetoresistance of vertical MoS2 magnetic tunnel junctions
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR04518F, Paper
Vertical spin valve junctions consisting of MoS2 layers have been fabricated by ultraclean fabrication method. The magnetoresistance of the spin valve junction increases as the thickness of MoS2 layer is increased.
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Low-temperature wafer-scale synthesis of two-dimensional SnS2
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR05450A, Paper
Two-dimensional continuous SnS2 is synthesized over a wafer at low-temperature (≤350 °C) by sulfurization combined with atomic layer deposition.
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Three dimensionally-ordered 2D MoS2 vertical layers integrated on flexible substrates with stretch-tunable functionality and improved sensing capability
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR05362F, Communication
Three-dimensionally flexible vertical 2D MoS2 layers are reported.
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Atomically sharp interlayer stacking shifts at anti-phase grain boundaries in overlapping MoS2 secondary layers
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR04486D, Paper
When secondary domains nucleate and grow on the surface of monolayer MoS2, they can extend across grain boundaries in the underlying monolayer MoS2 and form overlapping sections.
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In situ electrodeposition of polypyrrole onto TaSe2 nanobelts quasi-arrays for high-capacitance supercapacitor
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR05261A, Paper
Three-dimensional TaSe2/polypyrrole quasi-arrays are prepared by surface-assisted chemical vapor transport method and in situ electrodeposition and used as electrodes for high performance supercapacitors.
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Hybrid plasmonic nanostructures based on controlled integration of MoS2 flakes on metallic nanoholes
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR05026K, Paper
Open Access
  This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.
A novel method for the preparation of hybrid 2D-material/plasmonic nanostructures paving the way toward hybrid plasmonic nanopores.
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Membrane destruction and phospholipid extraction by using two-dimensional MoS2 nanosheets
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR04207A, Paper
MoS2 nanosheets are able to disrupt the structure of phospholipid membranes by forming dents on their surface, followed by the extraction of phospholipid molecules to reduce the integrity of the bacterial membrane.
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Ultra-high performance flexible piezopotential gated In1−xSnxSe phototransistor
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR05234D, Paper
Strain tunable flexible InSnSe phototransistor holds promise for the future piezophototronics.
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Epitaxial growth of Ni(OH)2 nanoclusters on MoS2 nanosheets for enhanced alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR07045H, Paper
Constructing heterostructures is an effective strategy for designing efficient electrocatalysts.
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The impact of substrate surface defects on the properties of two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR03777A, Paper
The effects of atomic and structural defects on the interlayer properties or configuration in the van der Waals heterostructures have been thoroughly investigated using WS2 flakes directly grown on graphene.
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Optimized single-layer MoS2 field-effect transistors by non-covalent functionalisation
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR02134A, Communication
Open Access
  This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.
High mobility, fully encapsulated field-effect transistors with non-covalently functionalised molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) channels grown by chemical vapour deposition are reported.
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Fluorescent Ti3C2 MXene quantum dots for an alkaline phosphatase assay and embryonic stem cell identification based on the inner filter effect
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR05767B, Paper
A Ti3C2 QD-based fluorescent probe for an ALP activity assay and embryonic stem cell identification was developed by taking advantage of the inner filter effect.
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Synthesis of ultrathin WSe2 nanosheets and their high-performance catalysis for conversion of amines to imines
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR05954C, Paper
Here, a simple colloidal method is reported for the synthesis of WSe2 nanosheets, which were composed of flowerlike nanostructures including many ultrathin nanosheets.
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Field enhancement of MoS2: visualization of the enhancement and effect of the number of layers
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR05650A, Paper
Field enhancement is investigated by spectroscopy, microscopy, and calculations at the same position. The enhancement factor and mechanism change with the thickness.
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Anomalous oxidation and its effect on electrical transport originating from surface chemical instability in large-area, few-layer 1T′-MoTe2 films
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR05699D, Paper
The instability concern for molybdenum- and tungsten-based transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) was clarified by anomalous oxidation dynamics and impact on electrical transport properties for the first time.
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Photovoltaic effect in a few-layer ReS2/WSe2 heterostructure
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR07219A, Paper
Two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are notable materials owing to their flexibility, transparency, and appropriate bandgaps.
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Controllable 2H-to-1T′ phase transition in few-layer MoTe2
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR06115G, Paper
Here, we demonstrated systematic experiments to understand the microscopic origin of laser irradiation induced controllable 2H-to-1T’ phase transition in few-layer MoTe2.
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2D molybdenum nitride nanosheets as anode materials for improved lithium storage
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR05889J, Communication
Two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum nitride (MoN) nanosheets are promising anode materials for improved lithium-ion batteries.
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In situ formation of spherical MoS2 nanoparticles for ultra-low friction
DOI: 10.1039/C8NR06503A, Paper
The spherical MoS2 nanoparticles formed through structural evolution under the induction of shear stress can lead to ultra-low friction.
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