Extending the Colloidal Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Library to ReS₂ Nanosheets for Application in Gas Sensing and Electrocatalysis

Abstract

Among the large family of transition metal dichalcogenides, recently ReS2 has stood out due to its nearly layer‐independent optoelectronic and physicochemical properties related to its 1T distorted octahedral structure. This structure leads to strong in‐plane anisotropy, and the presence of active sites at its surface makes ReS2 interesting for gas sensing and catalysts applications. However, current fabrication methods use chemical or physical vapor deposition (CVD or PVD) processes that are costly, time‐consuming and complex, therefore limiting its large‐scale production and exploitation. To address this issue, a colloidal synthesis approach is developed, which allows the production of ReS2 at temperatures below 360 °C and with reaction times shorter than 2h. By combining the solution‐based synthesis with surface functionalization strategies, the feasibility of colloidal ReS2 nanosheet films for sensing different gases is demonstrated with highly competitive performance in comparison with devices built with CVD‐grown ReS2 and MoS2. In addition, the integration of the ReS2 nanosheet films in assemblies together with carbon nanotubes allows to fabricate electrodes for electrocatalysis for H2 production in both acid and alkaline conditions. Results from proof‐of‐principle devices show an electrocatalytic overpotential competitive with devices based on ReS2 produced by CVD, and even with MoS2, WS2, and MoSe2 electrocatalysts.

2D Re‐Based Transition Metal Chalcogenides: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

“…[203] Hence, the design and fabrication of ReX 2 -based materials for sensor applications have intrigued considerable attention, and several novel ReX 2 -based sensors have been developed recently. [28,[204][205] Fu's group presented a smart self-adapting wettability (SAW) of ReS 2 under sustaining light irradiation, where the ReS 2 film was grown on the Si/SiO 2 substrate via CVD growth. [204] Figure 15a shows the schematic diagram of the SAW process, and the corresponding contact angle variation reflects the wetting behavior during the whole process (Figure 15b).…”

“…[ 203 ] Hence, the design and fabrication of ReX 2 ‐based materials for sensor applications have intrigued considerable attention, and several novel ReX 2 ‐based sensors have been developed recently. [ 28,204–205 ]…”

Microwave‐Induced Structural Engineering and Pt Trapping in 6R‐TaS2 for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

“…The electrodes were fabricated by depositing the TaS 2 nanoflake dispersions (catalyst mass loading = 0.2 mg cm −2 ) onto carbon nanotube (CNT)-based papers (i.e., buckypapers) through vacuum filtration method (see details in Supporting Information, Methods). The choice of buckypaper as the support relies on data from our previous works, in which we showed that the porosity of the CNT tangle promotes the adhesion of the TMDC films without the need of any ion conducting binders, [65,66] such as sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer copolymers (e.g., Nafion). The surface morphology of the as-prepared electrodes was characterized by SEM imaging ( Figure S12, Supporting Information).…”

Wafer‐scale vertical van der Waals heterostructures

“…191,192 Hence, modifying the metalsemiconductor contact interface is an effective strategy to improve device performance. Specifically, using metallic 2D materials (graphene, 193 some 1 T phase TMDs 47,187,[194][195][196][197] ) as electrodes for (opto)electronics through epitaxy growth 35 or phase transition 198,199 will alleviate the pining effect. In addition, transferring the prefabricated metal electrodes can also avoid creating defects and strains, resulting in an atomically sharp and near perfect metal/2D semiconductor interface.…”