Issue 47, 2020

Topology of transition metal dichalcogenides: the case of the core–shell architecture

Abstract

Non-planar architectures of the traditionally flat 2D materials are emerging as an intriguing paradigm to realize nascent properties within the family of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). These non-planar forms encompass a diversity of curvatures, morphologies, and overall 3D architectures that exhibit unusual characteristics across the hierarchy of length-scales. Topology offers an integrated and unified approach to describe, harness, and eventually tailor non-planar architectures through both local and higher order geometry. Topological design of layered materials intrinsically invokes elements highly relevant to property manipulation in TMDs, such as the origin of strain and its accommodation by defects and interfaces, which have broad implications for improved material design. In this review, we discuss the importance and impact of geometry on the structure and properties of TMDs. We present a generalized geometric framework to classify and relate the diversity of possible non-planar TMD forms. We then examine the nature of curvature in the emerging core–shell architecture, which has attracted high interest due to its versatility and design potential. We consider the local structure of curved TMDs, including defect formation, strain, and crystal growth dynamics, and factors affecting the morphology of core–shell structures, such as synthesis conditions and substrate morphology. We conclude by discussing unique aspects of TMD architectures that can be leveraged to engineer targeted, exotic properties and detail how advanced characterization tools enable detection of these features. Varying the topology of nanomaterials has long served as a potent methodology to engineer unusual and exotic properties, and the time is ripe to apply topological design principles to TMDs to drive future nanotechnology innovation.

Graphical abstract: Topology of transition metal dichalcogenides: the case of the core–shell architecture

Associated articles

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
15 Sep 2020
Accepted
26 Nov 2020
First published
09 Dec 2020

Nanoscale, 2020,12, 23897-23919

Author version available

Topology of transition metal dichalcogenides: the case of the core–shell architecture

J. G. DiStefano, A. A. Murthy, S. Hao, R. dos Reis, C. Wolverton and V. P. Dravid, Nanoscale, 2020, 12, 23897 DOI: 10.1039/D0NR06660E

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements