Optically active charge transfer in hybrids of Alq₃ nanoparticles and MoS₂ monolayer

Organic/inorganic hybrid structures have been widely studied because of their enhanced physical and chemical properties. Monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides (1L-TMDs) and organic nanoparticles can provide a hybridization configuration between zero- and two-dimensional systems with the advantages of convenient preparation and strong interface interaction. Here, we present such a hybrid system made by dispersing π-conjugated organic (tris (8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum(III)) (Alq₃) nanoparticles (NPs) on 1L-MoS₂. Hybrids of Alq₃ NP/1L-MoS₂ exhibited a two-fold increase in the photoluminescence of Alq₃ NPs on 1L-MoS₂ and the n-doping effect of 1L-MoS₂, and these spectral and electronic modifications were attributed to the charge transfer between Alq₃ NPs and 1L-MoS₂. Our results suggested that a hybrid of organic NPs/1L-TMD can offer a convenient platform to study the interface interactions between organic and inorganic nano objects and to engineer optoelectronic devices with enhanced performance.