Abstract
Simple and effective generation of transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) in a single-layer form has been a challenging task. Here we present a tandem molecular intercalation (TMI) as a new exfoliation concept for producing single-layer TMCs from multi-layer colloidal TMC nanostructures in solution phase. TMI requires tandem Lewis base intercalates, where short 'initiator' molecules first intercalate into TMCs to open up the interlayer gap, and the long 'primary' molecules then bring the gap to full width so that a random mixture of intercalates overcomes the interlayer force. Spontaneous exfoliation then yields single-layer TMCs. The TMI process is uniquely advantageous because it works in a simple one-step process under safe and mild conditions (that is, room temperature without sonication or H2 generation). With the appropriate intercalates, we have successfully generated single-layer nanostructures of group IV (TiS2, ZrS2), group V (NbS2) and VI (WSe2, MoS2) TMCs.
Highlights
Simple and effective generation of transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) in a single-layer form has been a challenging task
We introduce the ‘tandem molecular intercalation (TMI)’ process as a mild and effective exfoliation strategy for single-layer 2D TMC nanosheets from multi-layer colloidal TMC nanostuctures
An excess amount of intercalate is added to TiS2 nanoparticle in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) at room temperature, and the reaction mixture is stirred for 30 min to 5 h depending on the chain length of the intercalate molecules
Summary
Simple and effective generation of transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) in a single-layer form has been a challenging task. We have successfully generated single-layer nanostructures of group IV (TiS2, ZrS2), group V (NbS2) and VI (WSe2, MoS2) TMCs. Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials including transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) with strong in-plane covalent bonds and weak interlayer van der Waals interactions exhibit a wide range of interesting anisotropic phenomena from charge transport to catalytic and optical properties[1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. The host–guest chemistry for the intercalation of Lewis bases into bulk TMCs has been well documented[27,28], its successful extension to an exfoliation strategy has not been demonstrated yet
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