Colloidal Monolayer TMDs: synthesis, phase transitions and theoretical insights.

Topic description

Context:

Group VI transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers have garnered significant attention due to their exceptional optoelectronic properties, arising from their stable hexagonal (1H phase) crystal structure, characterized by trigonal prismatic coordination of the transition metal atom. However, alternative crystal phases, such as the metastable 1T (1T’) phases, where metal atoms exhibit octahedral coordination, are emerging as a promising research area. These unconventional phases display intriguing properties like metallicity, semi-metallicity, superconductivity, and catalytic potential.[1] Despite their promise, current synthetic methods for these monolayers are limited, especially in term of achieving high quality and for large-scale production.

Project:

This PhD project will use the synthesis of colloidally stable 1T’-WS₂ monolayers we previously developed as a model system to understand the o...