Probing the Edges between Stability and Degradation of a Series of ZnSe‐Based Layered Hybrid Semiconductors

Journal Article · Sun Jun 12 00:00:00 UTC 2022 · Advanced Materials Interfaces

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202200347 · OSTI ID:1875720

Yan, Mengwen  ^[1]; Myers, Christopher A. ^[2]; John, Gregory M. ^[3]; Meyers, Vincent E. ^[4]; Chen, Alan A. ^[3]; Feldblyum, Jeremy I.  ^[1]

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1. Department of Chemistry The University at Albany State University of New York Albany NY 12222 USA
2. Department of Chemistry The University at Albany State University of New York Albany NY 12222 USA, Department of Physics The University at Albany State University of New York Albany NY 12222 USA, The RNA Institute University at Albany State University of New York Albany NY 12222 USA
3. Department of Chemistry The University at Albany State University of New York Albany NY 12222 USA, The RNA Institute University at Albany State University of New York Albany NY 12222 USA
4. College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering State University of New York Polytechnic Institute Albany NY 12203 USA

Abstract The discovery of layered materials with potentially unique electrical and chemical properties has become a major focus of materials research in the past decade. 2D II–VI layered hybrids (LHs) are a family of ligand‐protected layered materials capable of isolation in few‐layer form and possess emissive and electronic properties of potential relevance to semiconductor device technologies. The authors showed previously that, akin to black phosphorus and transition metal dichalcogenides, 2D II–VI LHs are sensitive to ambient atmospheric conditions. However, the causes for degradation of these ligand‐protected materials remain unclear. Using ZnSe‐based LHs, it is shown herein that the stability of these materials is related to the length and chemistry of the organic ligands coordinated to the LH surfaces. Furthermore, exposure to isotopically enriched H ₂ ¹⁸ O and ¹⁸ O ₂ reveals that H ₂ O and O ₂ are both reactants contributing to ZnSe‐LH degradation. An H ₂ O‐initiated degradation pathway is proposed and is supported by density functional theory calculations. The findings contribute to the discovery of protection strategies for layered materials and elucidate a degradation pathway that may also be applicable to other layered materials.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 1875720
• Journal Information: Advanced Materials Interfaces, Journal Name: Advanced Materials Interfaces Journal Issue: 20 Vol. 9; ISSN 2196-7350
• Publisher: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: Germany
• Language: English