Controlled doping of transition metal dichalcogenides by metal work function tuning in phthalocyanine compounds

Abstract

We explored surface charge transfer interaction between a family of phthalocyanine (Pc) compounds and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Comparing the device characteristics of TMD field-effect transistors (FETs), we demonstrate both p-type and n-type doping of TMDs by tuning the work function of the metal substitution in the Pc compound. Our findings suggest a near linear correlation between the metal work function and doping level. Such doping predictability has yet to be achieved whereas we provide here the first report of its kind.