Band gap modulation of transition-metal dichalcogenide MX2 nanosheets by in-plane strain

Xiangying Su*, Weiwei Ju, Ruizhi Zhang, Chongfeng Guo, Yongliang Yong, Hongling Cui, Xiaohong Li

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The electronic properties of quasi-two-dimensional honeycomb structures of MX2 nanosheets (M=Mo, W and X=S, Se) subjected to in-plane biaxial strain have been investigated using first-principles calculations. We demonstrate that the band gap of MX2 nanosheets can be widely tuned by applying tensile or compressive strain, and these ultrathin materials undergo a universal reversible semiconductor-metal transition at a critical strain. Compared to WX2, MoX2 need a smaller critical tensile strain for the band gap close, and MSe2 need a smaller critical compressive strain than MS2. Taking bilayer MoS2 as an example, the variation of the band structures was studied and the semiconductor-metal transition involves a slightly different physical mechanism between tensile and compressive strain. The ability to tune the band gap of MX2 nanosheets in a controlled fashion over a wide range of energy opens up the possibility for its usage in a range of application.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)216-222
Number of pages7
JournalPhysica E: Low-dimensional Systems and Nanostructures
Volume84
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • band engineering
  • first principles calculation
  • in-plane strain
  • transition-metal dichalcogenides nanosheet

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