Date of Award
Spring 2023
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science (ENAS)
First Advisor
Cha, Judy
Abstract
Over the past decade, two-dimensional (2D) materials have exploded as a new class of nanomaterials that hold the potential to revolutionize technologies ranging from energy storage to flexible electronics. These materials are composed of stacks of atomically thin sheets which are defined by the weak van der Waals interactions between layers. This has allowed for the isolation of few- and single layers of many different compounds that exhibit emergent electrical and physical behavior at the nanoscale. While there is much excitement about the potential of these materials, the synthesis of large-area, single crystalline thin films remains an issue. In this dissertation, we work to develop synthesis pathways for large-scale 2D telluride thin films, establish generalized growth mechanisms, and probe structure-property relationships. We achieve the growth of large-area MoTe2 thin films with uniformity and layer control, investigate the relationship between growth substrate and film morphology for monolayer MoTe2, extend our developed synthesis pathway for MoTe2 to WTe2, determine generalizable growth mechanisms for 2D telluride thin films, probe the effects of temperature and electrical gating on the phase transition of MoTe2, and work to achieve large area synthesis of 2D telluride thin films beyond MoTe2 and WTe2. Many synthesis studies of 2D materials achieve growth results, yet underlying mechanisms that lead to high-quality thin films, such as interactions with the growth substrate which can affect diffusion, nucleation, and crystallinity, are often understudied. The methodologies outlined in this dissertation work to better understand the growth mechanisms and structural properties of large-area 2D telluride thin films, and represent necessary steps for these materials to one day achieve technological feasibility.
Recommended Citation
Hynek, David, "Large-Area Synthesis and Characterization of 2D Telluride Thin Films" (2023). Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations. 1095.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/gsas_dissertations/1095
