Rolling up transition metal dichalcogenide nanoscrolls via one drop of ethanol

Xueping Cui,Zhizhi Kong,Chong-An Di,Enlai Gao,Zhiping Xu,Jian Zheng,Hongguang Shen,Yang Hao,Dazhen Huang,Daoben Zhu

doi:10.1038/s41467-018-03752-5

Abstract

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted lots of interest because of their potential for electronic and optoelectronic applications. Atomically thin TMD flakes were believed capable to scroll into nanoscrolls (NSs) with distinct properties. However, limited by mechanical strength and chemical stability, production of high-quality TMD NSs remains challenging. Here, we scroll chemical vapor deposition-grown monolayer TMD flakes into high-quality NSs in situ in 5 s with a nearly 100% yield by only one droplet of ethanol solution. An obvious photoluminescence is demonstrated in NSs and the self-encapsulated structure makes NSs more insensitive to external factors in optical and electrical properties. Furthermore, based on the internal open topology, NSs hybridized with a variety of functional materials have been fabricated, which is expected to confer TMD NSs with additional properties and functions attractive for potential application.

Highlights

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted lots of interest because of their potential for electronic and optoelectronic applications
The TMD flakes were scrolled into NSs in just 5 s with a nearly 100% yield by placing one drop of ethanol solution on their surface
When an ethanol solution spread onto the surface of TMD flakes, the liquid film intercalated into the TMD flakes and the substrate, as demonstrated by the contrast color change in the flakes (Supplementary Fig. 4)

Summary

Introduction

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted lots of interest because of their potential for electronic and optoelectronic applications. We scroll chemical vapor deposition-grown monolayer TMD flakes into high-quality NSs in situ in 5 s with a nearly 100% yield by only one droplet of ethanol solution. Because of the internal open topology, the interlayer spacing of TMD-NSs can be expanded to accommodate a variety of functional materials, including organic small molecules, polymers, nanoparticles, and 2D materials, as well as biological substances. These features are very attractive for applications in solar cells, photodetectors, flexible logic circuits, energy storage, and sensors

Methods

Results

Conclusion