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Atomic Insights into Phase Evolution in Ternary Transition‐Metal Dichalcogenides Nanostructures
Author(s) -
Zou YiChao,
Chen ZhiGang,
Liu Shijian,
Aso Kohei,
Zhang Chenxi,
Kong Fantai,
Hong Min,
Matsumura Syo,
Cho Kyeongjae,
Zou Jin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201800780
Subject(s) - monoclinic crystal system , orthorhombic crystal system , materials science , phase (matter) , ternary operation , atomic units , phase transition , electron diffraction , crystallography , nanotechnology , chemical physics , diffraction , condensed matter physics , chemistry , crystal structure , physics , optics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , computer science , programming language
Abstract Phase engineering through chemical modification can significantly alter the properties of transition‐metal dichalcogenides, and allow the design of many novel electronic, photonic, and optoelectronics devices. The atomic‐scale mechanism underlying such phase engineering is still intensively investigated but elusive. Here, advanced electron microscopy, combined with density functional theory calculations, is used to understand the phase evolution (hexagonal 2H→monoclinic T′→orthorhombic T d ) in chemical vapor deposition grown Mo 1− x W x Te 2 nanostructures. Atomic‐resolution imaging and electron diffraction indicate that Mo 1− x W x Te 2 nanostructures have two phases: the pure monoclinic phase in low W‐concentrated (0 < x ≤ 10 at.%) samples, and the dual phase of the monoclinic and orthorhombic in high W‐concentrated (10 < x < 90 at.%) samples. Such phase coexistence exists with coherent interfaces, mediated by a newly uncovered orthorhombic phase T d ′. T d ′, preserves the centrosymmetry of T′ and provides the possible phase transition path for T′→T d with low energy state. This work enriches the atomic‐scale understanding of phase evolution and coexistence in multinary compounds, and paves the way for device applications of new transition‐metal dichalcogenides phases and heterostructures.