Tuning the electrical transport properties of multilayered molybdenum disulfide nanosheets by intercalating phosphorus

Abstract

We demonstrate the tuning of the electrical transport properties of MoS 2 nanosheets by intercalating phosphorus (P). The P-doped MoS 2 nanosheets were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The structures and electrical properties of P-doped MoS 2 nanosheets were systematically investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectral analysis, adsorption spectra analysis, and Hall measurements. The results indicate that the stacking of the (002) plane in multilayered MoS 2 nanosheets is inhibited and the interlayer spacing is enlarged with the introduction of P atoms. Both experimental results and theoretical calculations indicate that P atoms are much easier to intercalate into the interlayers of MoS 2, compared with substitution of Mo and S, which significantly affects the vibrational modes of Raman spectra. Furthermore, because of the extra electrons introduced by intercalating P atoms, the conductivity of MoS 2 could be gradually modulated from p-type to n-type by increasing the content of intercalated P. This demonstration of tuning the electrical transport properties of MoS 2 could help in the design of electrical and optoelectronic devices based on layered metal dichalcogenides.