Chemistry of 2D materials: Intercalation and surface functionalization

Project Information

CHEM2D

Grant agreement ID: 794126

DOI

10.3030/794126

Project terminated on 29 February 2020

EC signature date 23 March 2018

Start date 1 June 2019

End date 14 November 2021

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 158 121,60

EU contribution

€ 158 121,60

Coordinated by

AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CHEM2D (Chemistry of 2D materials: Intercalation and surface functionalization)

Reporting period: 2019-06-01 to 2021-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The physical properties of 2D materials are extremely sensitive to the number of layers and the interlayer distance, governed by weak van der Waals interactions. Consequently, the fine-tuning of these interactions permit to control the properties of the material.

The main goal of this project was to synthesize new 2D materials (based on transition-metal chalcogenides) with tailored transport and optoelectronic properties, by controlling interlayer interactions (via intercalation) and the surfaces of the crystals (via functionalization). Intercalation of guest species, such as alkali metals, act as spacers and can provide a very large doping level by conducting charge carriers into the adjacent conducting layer. Furthermore, the increase in layer separation produces a weaker interaction between layers, resulting in each layer behaving as an almost isolated single layer.

By using nanofabrication techniques, synthesized 2D materials can be integrated into electronic devices.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The technical report contains the main results of the project, which can be summarized in the following points:

- Exfoliation of MoS2 crystal was successfully performed by microwave-hydrothermal procedure.
- Two alternative strategies of intercalation were explored throughout this work: (1) Wet-chemistry routes: lithium was intercalated in metal chalcogenides by using n-butyl lithium in hexane or lithium metal/ naphthalene in THF.(2) Electrochemistry approach for the preparation of intercalated 2D-materials. Lithium or sodium metal anode intercalates into the 2D material cathode through an ionically conducting liquid/solid electrolyte through an external bias.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Electrochemical approach can be efficiently used for the preparation of intercalated 2D-materials. The easily control of the doping level by this method allows new possibilities for bespoke 2D material design.
The synthesized materials will be integrated into electronic devices such as photodetectors or solar cells.

Schematic of tuning 2D materials by (a) intercalation, (b) functionalization