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Selective Vertical and Horizontal Growth of 2D WS 2 Revealed by In Situ Thermolysis using Transmission Electron Microscopy
Author(s) -
Gavhane Dnyaneshwar S.,
Sontakke Atul D.,
Huis Marijn A.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.202106450
Subject(s) - materials science , transmission electron microscopy , in situ , transition metal , metal , thermal decomposition , drop (telecommunication) , nanotechnology , chemical physics , crystallography , chemistry , metallurgy , telecommunications , biochemistry , organic chemistry , computer science , catalysis
Direct observation of the growth dynamics of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is of key importance for understanding and controlling the growth modes and for tailoring these intriguing materials to desired orientations and layer thicknesses. Here, various stages and multiple growth modes in the formation of WS 2 layers on different substrates through thermolysis of a single solid‐state (NH 4 ) 2 WS 4 precursor are revealed using in situ transmission electron microscopy. Control over vertical and horizontal growth is achieved by varying the thickness of the drop‐casted precursor from which WS 2 is grown during heating. First depositing platinum (Pt) and gold (Au) on the heating chips much enhance the growth process of WS 2 resulting in an increased length of vertical layers and in a self‐limited thickness of horizontal layers. Interference patterns are formed by the mutual rotation of two WS 2 layers by various angles on metal deposited heating chips. This shows detailed insights into the growth dynamics of 2D WS 2 as a function of temperature, thereby establishing control over orientation and size. These findings also unveil the important role of metal substrates in the evolution of WS 2 structures, offering general and effective pathways for nano‐engineering of 2D TMDs for a variety of applications.