Chemically Reversible Translational Moiré Superlattice Formations in the Two-Dimensional Films of the Zinc Phthalate Complex

Abstract

The exciting electronic properties of two-dimensional layered materials introduced by twist angle and lattice mismatch between two consecutive layers are well-recognized. The major challenge lies in the control over the moiréperiodicity. Herein, we report a chemically directed way to achieve the desired precision over moiréperiodicity of the assembly of a complex of zinc ions and o-phthalic acid utilizing soft bonds. The reaction of ophthalic acid with zinc ions in the aqueous medium at 80 °C for 1 h followed by preserving the reaction mixture at ambient temperature (35 °C) resulted in translational moirésuperlattices with precise periods. Those lattices are further stacked angularly to give rotational super-moirélattices. Further, the role of the π−zinc ion interaction in the origin of moiréfringes was examined with the reaction with 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid (HQS) that also established the reversible nature of the superlattices. The present observations also suggest the formation of moirésuperlattice through ion insertion in a chemical lattice.