Inhomogeneity of Cleaved Bulk MoS2 and Compensation of Its Charge Imbalances by Room-Temperature Hydrogen Treatment

• Synthetic single crystals of bulk molybdenum disulphide cleaved in ultrahigh vacuum are mapped across a large (approximate to 25 mm(2)) area by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, both statically and transiently following above-bandgap excitation by an ultrafast laser. This work finds that: I) A cleaved surface typically displays spatially inhomogeneous properties, manifested by large (approximate to 1 eV) variations in binding energy and band bending and variable degrees of stability of those over time as a result of variable gas uptakes from the residual atmosphere. II) Moderate (350 degrees C) annealing and exposure to molecular hydrogen can be cycled to switch between smaller and larger surface band bending, the switch being reversible but strongly sample-position dependent. III) Upon exposure to atomic hydrogen, the binding energy of the entire surface levels out to a common (within <0.05 eV) value corresponding to a Fermi level pinned close to mid-bandgap. Such remarkable effect is attributed to the ability of hydrogen atoms to serve as donors and acceptors alike, thus neutralizing local charge imbalances inevitably present at the surface in consequence of intrinsic and/or cleavage-induced defects. With subsequent moderate annealing, the hydrogenated surface preserves a fairly homogenous electronic state which is however characterized by a lower binding energy and little to no band bending.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Kemiteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Chemical Engineering (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Atom- och molekylfysik och optik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

molybdenum disulphide

sample inhomogeneity

hydrogen adsorption

surface passivation

transition metal dichalcogenides

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