Redox Exfoliation of Layered Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted considerable attention in a diverse array of applications due to the breadth of possible property suites relative to other low-dimensional nanomaterials (e.g., graphene, aluminosilicates). Here, we demonstrate an alternative methodology for the exfoliation of bulk crystallites of group V-VII layered TMDs under quiescent, benchtop conditions using mild redox chemistry. Anionic polyoxometalate species generated from edge sites adsorb to the TMD surface and create Coulombic repulsion that drives layer separation without the use of shear forces. This method is generalizable (MS₂, MSe₂, and MTe₂) and effective in preparing high-concentration (>1 mg/mL) dispersions with narrow layer thickness distributions more rapidly and with safer reagents than alternative solution-based approaches. Finally, exfoliation of these TMDs is demonstrated in a range of solvent systems that were previously inaccessible due to large surface energy differences. These characteristics could be beneficial in the preparation of high-quality films and monoliths.