Isolation of layered two-dimensional (2D) materials (Graphene and beyond Graphene)
Recent advances in atomically thin beyond graphene two-dimensional (2D) anisotropic group IVA-VI metal monochalcogenides (MMC) and their fascinating intrinsic properties and potential applications are hampered due to an ongoing challenge of monolayer isolation. Among the most promising MMCs, tin (II) sulfide (SnS), is an earth abundant layered material with tunable bandgap and anisotropic physical properties, which render it extraordinary for electronics and optoelectronics. To date, however, the successful isolation of atomically thin SnS single layers at large quantities has been challenging due to the presence of strong interlayer interactions attributed to the lone-pair electrons of sulphur. Moreover, Organic–inorganic heterostructures are emerging materials for developing high performance, solution processable organic electronic and optoelectronic devices. In particular, the heterostructures of semiconducting two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are interesting due to the quantum confinement effect, extended solar light absorption, and tunable optoelectronic properties.
In this work, we report on a novel liquid phase exfoliation approach which enables the overcome of such strong interlayer binding energy. Specifically, we demonstrate that the synergetic action of external thermal energy with the ultrasound energy induced hydrodynamic force in solution, gives rise to the systematic isolation of highly crystalline SnS monolayers (1L-SnS). This study opens a new avenue for large-scale isolation of electronic grade SnS and other MMC nanolayers for a wide range of applications, including extended area nanoelectronic devices, printed from solution.
Here, we report a facile and fully solution processable method called semiconductive polymer assisted chemical exfoliation (SPACE) of synthesizing polymer-MoS2 nanoheterostructures.
