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Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Metal-free Synthesis of Ynones from Acyl Chlorides and Potassium Alkynyltrifluoroborate Salts
Published on: February 24, 2015
Direct Observation of Semiconductor-Metal Phase Transition in Bilayer Tungsten Diselenide Induced by Potassium
Bo Lei1,2,3, Yuanyuan Pan4,5, Zehua Hu1,2,3
1National University of Singapore (Suzhou) Research Institute , 377 Lin Quan Street, Suzhou, Jiang Su 215123, China.
Abstract:
Structures determine properties of materials, and controllable phase transitions are, therefore, highly desirable for exploring exotic physics and fabricating devices. We report a direct observation of a controllable semiconductor-metal phase transition in bilayer tungsten diselenide (WSe2) with potassium (K) surface functionalization. Through the integration of in situ field-effect transistors, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, and first-principles calculations, we identify that the electron doping from K adatoms drives bilayer WSe2 from a 2H phase semiconductor to a 1T' phase metal. The phase transition mechanism is satisfactorily explained by the electronic structures and energy alignment of the 2H and 1T' phases. This explanation can be generally applied to understand doping-induced phase transitions in two-dimensional (2D) structures. Finally, the associated dramatic changes of electronic structures and electrical conductance make this controllable semiconductor-metal phase transition of interest for 2D semiconductor-based electronic and optoelectronic devices.
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