One-dimensional
(1D) materials demonstrate anisotropic in-plane
physical properties that enable a wide range of functionalities in
electronics, photonics, valleytronics, optoelectronics, and catalysis.
Here, we undertake an in-depth study of the growth mechanism for equimolar
midentropy alloy of (NbTaTi)0.33S3 nanoribbons
as a model system for 1D transition metal trichalcogenide structures.
To understand the thermodynamic and kinetic effects in the growth
process, the energetically preferred phases at different synthesis
temperatures and times are investigated, and the phase evolution is
inspected at a sequence of growth steps. It is uncovered that the
dynamics of the growth process occurs at four different stages via
preferential incorporation of chemical species at high-surface-energy
facets. Also, a sequence of temperature and time dependent nonuniform
to uniform phase evolutions has emerged in the composition and structure
of (NbTaTi)0.33S3 which is described based on
an anisotropic vapor–solid (V–S) mechanism. Furthermore,
direct evidence for the 3D structure of the charge density wave (CDW)
phase (width less than 100 nm) is provided by three-dimensional electron
diffraction (3DED) in individual nanoribbons at cryogenic temperature,
and detailed comparisons are made between the phases obtained before
and after CDW transformation. This study provides important fundamental
information for the design and synthesis of future 1D alloy structures.