Abstract
AbstractMechanical exfoliation yields high‐quality 2D materials but is challenging to scale up due to the small lateral size and low yield of the exfoliated crystals. Gold‐mediated exfoliation of macroscale monolayer MoS2 and related crystals addresses this problem. However, it remains unclear whether this method can be extended to other metals. Herein, mechanical exfoliation of MoS2 on a range of metallic substrates is studied. It is found that Au outperforms all the other metals in their ability to exfoliate macroscale monolayer MoS2. This is rationalized by gold's ability to resist oxidation, which is compromised on other metals and leads to a weakened binding with MoS2. An anomalously high monolayer yield found for Ag suggests that the large interfacial strain in the metal–MoS2 heterostructures measured by Raman spectroscopy also is a critical factor facilitating the exfoliation, while the relative differences in the metal–MoS2 binding play only a minor role. These results provide a new incentive for investigations of 2D material‐substrate combinations applicable where high‐quality 2D crystals of macroscopic dimensions are of importance.
Highlights
Mechanical exfoliation yields high-quality 2D materials but is challenging to dreds of microns in lateral sizes on most scale up due to the small lateral size and low yield of the exfoliated crystals
In the case of transition metal dichalcogenides in the metal–MoS2 heterostructures measured by Raman spectroscopy (TMDCs), the root of the preferential monis a critical factor facilitating the exfoliation, while the relative differences in olayer exfoliation has been attributed to the metal–MoS2 binding play only a minor role
These results provide a new incentive for investigations of 2D material-substrate combinations applicable where high-quality 2D crystals of macroscopic dimensions are of importance
Summary
Mechanical exfoliation yields high-quality 2D materials but is challenging to dreds of microns in lateral sizes on most scale up due to the small lateral size and low yield of the exfoliated crystals. We find that gold is by far the best substrate, outperforming all other metals by at least two orders of magnitude in terms of the lateral size of the MoS2, thanks to the unique ability of Au to resist oxidation and the sizeable interfacial strain in the Au–MoS2 heterostructure.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
