Waterproof molecular monolayers stabilize 2D materials

Cong Su, Zongyou Yin, Qing Bo Yan, Zegao Wang, Hongtao Lin, Lei Sun, Wenshuo Xu, Tetsuya Yamada, Xiang Ji, Nobuyuki Zettsu, Katsuya Teshima, Jamie H. Warner, Mircea Dincă, Juejun Hu, Mingdong Dong, Gang Su, Jing Kong, Ju Li

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

35 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Two-dimensional van der Waals materials have rich and unique functional properties, but many are susceptible to corrosion under ambient conditions. Here we show that linear alkylamines n-C m H2m+1NH2, with m = 4 through 11, are highly effective in protecting the optoelectronic properties of these materials, such as black phosphorus (BP) and transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs: WS2, 1T'-MoTe2, WTe2, WSe2, TaS2, and NbSe2). As a representative example, n-hexylamine (m = 6) can be applied in the form of thin molecular monolayers on BP flakes with less than 2-nm thickness and can prolong BP's lifetime from a few hours to several weeks and even months in ambient environments. Characterizations combined with our theoretical analysis show that the thin monolayers selectively sift out water molecules, forming a drying layer to achieve the passivation of the protected 2D materials. The monolayer coating is also stable in air, H2 annealing, and organic solvents, but can be removed by certain organic acids.

Original languageEnglish
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)
Volume116
Issue42
Pages (from-to)20844-20849
Number of pages6
ISSN0027-8424
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • anticorrosion
  • molecular monolayer stabilizer
  • multilayer 2D materials

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