Large area MoS2 thin film growth by direct sulfurization.

In this study, we present the growth of monolayer MoS2 (molybdenum disulfide) film. Mo (molybdenum) film was formed on a sapphire substrate through e-beam evaporation, and triangular MoS2 film was grown by direct sulfurization. First, the growth of MoS2 was observed under an optical microscope. The number of MoS2 layers was analyzed by Raman spectrum, atomic force microscope (AFM), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) measurement. Different sapphire substrate regions have different growth conditions of MoS2. The growth of MoS2 is optimized by controlling the amount and location of precursors, adjusting the appropriate growing temperature and time, and establishing proper ventilation. Experimental results show the successful growth of a large-area single-layer MoS2 on a sapphire substrate through direct sulfurization under a suitable environment. The thickness of the MoS2 film determined by AFM measurement is about 0.73 nm. The peak difference between the Raman measurement shift of 386 and 405 cm-1 is 19.1 cm-1, and the peak of PL measurement is about 677 nm, which is converted into energy of 1.83 eV, which is the size of the direct energy gap of the MoS2 thin film. The results verify the distribution of the number of grown layers. Based on the observation of the optical microscope (OM) images, MoS2 continuously grows from a single layer of discretely distributed triangular single-crystal grains into a single-layer large-area MoS2 film. This work provides a reference for growing MoS2 in a large area. We expect to apply this structure to various heterojunctions, sensors, solar cells, and thin-film transistors.

Optical and Material Characteristics of MoS2/Cu2O Sensor for Detection of Lung Cancer Cell Types in Hydroplegia.

In this study, n-type MoS2 monolayer flakes are grown through chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and a p-type Cu2O thin film is grown via electrochemical deposition. The crystal structure of the grown MoS2 flakes is analyzed through transmission electron microscopy. The monolayer structure of the MoS2 flakes is verified with Raman spectroscopy, multiphoton excitation microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. After the preliminary processing of the grown MoS2 flakes, the sample is then transferred onto a Cu2O thin film to complete a p-n heterogeneous structure. Data are confirmed via scanning electron microscopy, SHG, and Raman mapping measurements. The luminous energy gap between the two materials is examined through PL measurements. Results reveal that the thickness of the single-layer MoS2 film is 0.7 nm. PL mapping shows a micro signal generated at the 627 nm wavelength, which belongs to the B2 excitons of MoS2 and tends to increase gradually when it approaches 670 nm. Finally, the biosensor is used to detect lung cancer cell types in hydroplegia significantly reducing the current busy procedures and longer waiting time for detection. The results suggest that the fabricated sensor is highly sensitive to the change in the photocurrent with the number of each cell, the linear regression of the three cell types is as high as 99%. By measuring the slope of the photocurrent, we can identify the type of cells and the number of cells.

Characteristics of P-Type and N-Type Photoelectrochemical Biosensors: A Case Study for Esophageal Cancer Detection.

P-type and N-type photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensors were established in the laboratory to discuss the correlation between characteristic substances and photoactive material properties through the photogenerated charge carrier transport mechanism. Four types of human esophageal cancer cells (ECCs) were analyzed without requiring additional bias voltage. Photoelectrical characteristics were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis reflectance spectroscopy, and photocurrent response analyses. Results showed that smaller photocurrent was measured in cases with advanced cancer stages. Glutathione (L-glutathione reduced, GSH) and Glutathione disulfide (GSSG) in cancer cells carry out redox reactions during carrier separation, which changes the photocurrent. The sensor can identify ECC stages with a certain level of photoelectrochemical response. The detection error can be optimized by adjusting the number of cells, and the detection time of about 5 min allowed repeated measurement.

Growth Mechanism of Periodic-Structured MoS2 by Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) was grown on a laser-processed periodic-hole sapphire substrate through chemical vapor deposition. The main purpose was to investigate the mechanism of MoS2 growth in substrate with a periodic structure. By controlling the amount and position of the precursor, adjusting the growth temperature and time, and setting the flow rate of argon gas, MoS2 grew in the region of the periodic holes. A series of various growth layer analyses of MoS2 were then confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Finally, the growth mechanism was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The experimental results show that in the appropriate environment, MoS2 can be successfully grown on substrate with periodic holes, and the number of growth layers can be determined through measurements. By observing the growth mechanism, composition analysis, and selected area electron diffraction diagram by TEM, we comprehensively understand the growth phenomenon. The results of this research can serve as a reference for the large-scale periodic growth of MoS2. The production of periodic structures by laser drilling is advantageous, as it is relatively simpler than other methods.

Intelligent Identification of MoS2 Nanostructures with Hyperspectral Imaging by 3D-CNN.

Increasing attention has been paid to two-dimensional (2D) materials because of their superior performance and wafer-level synthesis methods. However, the large-area characterization, precision, intelligent automation, and high-efficiency detection of nanostructures for 2D materials have not yet reached an industrial level. Therefore, we use big data analysis and deep learning methods to develop a set of visible-light hyperspectral imaging technologies successfully for the automatic identification of few-layers MoS2. For the classification algorithm, we propose deep neural network, one-dimensional (1D) convolutional neural network, and three-dimensional (3D) convolutional neural network (3D-CNN) models to explore the correlation between the accuracy of model recognition and the optical characteristics of few-layers MoS2. The experimental results show that the 3D-CNN has better generalization capability than other classification models, and this model is applicable to the feature input of the spatial and spectral domains. Such a difference consists in previous versions of the present study without specific substrate, and images of different dynamic ranges on a section of the sample may be administered via the automatic shutter aperture. Therefore, adjusting the imaging quality under the same color contrast conditions is unnecessary, and the process of the conventional image is not used to achieve the maximum field of view recognition range of ~1.92 mm2. The image resolution can reach ~100 nm and the detection time is 3 min per one image.

Anionic Redox Chemistry in Polysulfide Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries.

Classical Li-ion battery technology is based on the insertion of lithium ions into cathode materials involving metal (cationic) redox reactions. However, this vision is now being reconsidered, as many new-generation electrode materials with enhanced reversible capacities operate through combined cationic and anionic (non-metal) reversible redox processes or even exclusively through anionic redox transformations. Anionic participation in the redox reactions is observed in materials with more pronounced covalency, which is less typical for oxides, but quite common for phosphides or chalcogenides. In this Concept, we would like to draw the reader's attention to this new idea, especially, as it applies to transition-metal polychalcogenides, such as FeS2 , VS4 , TiS3 , NbS3 , TiS4 , MoS3 , etc., in which the key role is played by the (S-S)2- /2 S2- redox reaction. The exploration and better understanding of the anion-driven chemistry is important for designing advanced materials for battery and other energy-related applications.

Metal-metal bond excitation in colloidal solution of NbS3.

For the first time the comparison of the theoretical and experimental data have shown that UV-vis absorption in the region of 600nm in colloidal solution of NbS3 can be described by the d-d electronic transitions to the antibonding molecular orbital. It is proved that the process leads to excitation of metal-metal bond.