Progress and Prospects in Transition-Metal Dichalcogenide Research Beyond 2D

Abstract

This review discusses recent advances and future research priorities in the transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) field. While the community has witnessed tremendous advances through research conducted on two-dimensional (2D) TMD crystals, it is vital to seek new research opportunities beyond developed areas. To this end, in this review we focus principally on articulating areas of need in the preparation and analysis of TMD crystals encompassing dimensionalities and morphologies beyond 2D. Ultimately, the development of new synthetic methods to control key structural features of low-dimensional TMD crystals (e.g., dimensionality, morphology, and phase) will afford access to a broader range of breakthrough properties for this intriguing material class. We begin with a brief overview of the evolution of 2D TMD research, discussing both the synthetic methods that have enabled the preparation of these materials and the manifold properties they possess. We focus the bulk of our review on discussion of recent advances associated with 1D TMD crystals, which are often referred to as TMD nanoribbons, and include a discussion of recent efforts in 0D systems. We discuss synthetic strategies that have been developed to prepare such beyond 2D crystals and highlight their unique physical and chemical properties. After reviewing the host of analytical tools available for characterization of TMD materials, we identify future analytical instrumentation needs. We conclude with a discussion of the prospects of beyond 2D TMD crystals in optoelectronics, catalysis, and quantum information science.

Nanoscale Pd Supported on Layered Co(OH)2 as Efficient Catalysts for Solvent‐Free Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol

“…It is known that the ultrathin nature of 2D materials offers high surface area to volume ratios, which are ideal platforms for supporting metal NPs. [41] In our work, the Pd/Co(OH) 2 catalyst exhibited typical 2D structural characteristics, according to the SEM and AFM results, which promotes the uniform dispersion of Pd NPs on its surface. The wrinkles on the surface of the Pd/Co(OH) 2 catalyst further increase the specific surface area, which could encapsulate the Pd NPs for improving their dispersion and reducing the NP sizes as well.…”

“…It is known that the ultrathin nature of 2D materials offers high surface area to volume ratios, which are ideal platforms for supporting metal NPs [41] . In our work, the Pd/Co(OH) 2 catalyst exhibited typical 2D structural characteristics, according to the SEM and AFM results, which promotes the uniform dispersion of Pd NPs on its surface.…”

Identification of nanoscale localized strain in 2D transition metal dichalcogenide hybrid architectures through scanning transmission electron microscopy

“…Naval Research Laboratory, United States, 2 Johns Hopkins University, United States Tuning the dimensionality of nanoscale materials is one route towards accessing exceptional and highly tunable properties [1][2][3]. An equally important approach involves the assembly of advanced hybrid architectures from discrete nanoscale components [4], often with different dimensionalities, compositions, and phases. The interfaces and interactions between these components gate the properties of the overall hybrid architecture and must be thoroughly understood to predict and design systems with new and emergent properties.…”

Intercalation Strategy in 2D Materials for Electronics and Optoelectronics

“…2D materials are currently a topic of intense interest due to their excellent chemical and physical properties, such as tunable band structures, strong light‐matter interactions, atomically thin thickness and smooth surfaces without dangling bonds, which make them promising for the next generation electronic and optoelectronic devices. [ 1–32 ] The existence of van der Waals (vdW) gaps in 2D materials offers an opportunity for external species to intercalate, which can significantly modulate the intrinsic properties of 2D materials and enrich their applications. [ 33–36 ] As shown in Figure , intercalation has been employed to enrich the physical and chemical properties of 2D materials such as charge transfer and vdW gap expansion.…”