In WHIPCAT program, we have achieved controlled growth of MoS2, WS2, MoSe2 and WSe2 STMD based atomic layers and their alloyed versions with ‘Se’ (MoS2(1-x)Se2x, WS2(1- x)Se2x) were achieved using physical vapor transport (PVT) technique. I have investigated catalytic properties of MoS2(1-x)Se2x, WS2(1- x)Se2x by performing electrochemical measurements and supported with theoretical evidences. At end of the period of the project, I fabricated size selected platinum 147 (Pt147) nanoclusters on top of tungsten di sulphide (WS2) STMD atomic layers using CBD. A preferential seeding of Pt147 atomic clusters were deposited at 0.1 eV per atom kinetic energy with and without Ar ion defects on WS2 atomic layers.
Expected impact of research and training on career prospects of fellow
I explored the PEC properties of STMD vdW solids such as pristine and alloyed versions of MoS2 and WS2 with non-metal ‘Se’ doping. Further motivated to fabricate WS2-Pt147 clusters in-order to explore the preferential nucleation of Pt atoms to clusters on the 2D basal plane, which may increase the catalytic activity of WS2 as compared to pristine due to most of the TMDs catalytic activity will be either from the edges or defects/functional groups present on the 2D material. However, we have not performed full measurements, yet to be done. I have strengthen my technical and scientific competencies (e.g. HAADF-STEM imaging, PEC, spectroscopy, etc.) and also hone transferable skills such as project management with regular project meetings and reporting on the progress of the work with Dr. Wolfgang Theis. I have communicated WHIPCAT project outcomes in several international conferences in UK (UK-China Conference on 2D materials, 2019) and Europe (Nanospain -2019) and public outreach activities (Think –Tank program at Birmingham city museum) in-order to familiarize about 2D materials such as STMD combinatorial stacks for clean energy and environment applications, particularly photocatalysis. During secondment program, I have visited Prof. Dryfe’s laboratory for Raman and photoluminescence (PL) measurements on STMD vdW stacks including Raman imaging on those samples. Importantly, I have collaborated with with my old groups at the IIT Guwahati and TIFR- Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences (TCIS) Hyderabad and achieved interesting results on the alloyed version of the STMD based 2D materials. Perticularly, HAADF-STEM imaging to interpret the site specific physical property of the 2D STMD crystals. On the other hand, immediately I joined at TIFR- TCIS further controlled experiments on the PEC of STMD vdW solids.
