Two-step fabrication of large-scale MoS2 hollow flakes

Abstract

Recently, molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) has become a superstar material due to its outstanding optical and electronic performance, and its use as a promising candidate for optoelectronic devices. Here, we report the synthesis of large-scale two-dimensional (2D) MoS₂ hollow flakes through a two-step method by utilizing thermal sulfurization–evaporation. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, AFM, Raman and PL spectroscopy analyses revealed that a solid MoS₂ flake has a tapered multi-layered structure with an edge region of a single layer, and the hollow flake is a monolayer. The formation process of the 2D MoS₂ hollow flakes is discussed on the basis of the experimental analyses. Such 2D MoS₂ hollow flakes are envisaged to be novel templates for constructing 2D lateral p–n heterojunctions and 2D–1D heterostructures.