In situ atomistic insight into the growth mechanisms of single layer 2D transition metal carbides

Developing strategies for atomic-scale controlled synthesis of new two-dimensional (2D) functional materials will directly impact their applications. Here, using in situ aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, we obtain direct insight into the homoepitaxial Frank-van der Merwe atomic layer growth mechanism of TiC single adlayers synthesized on surfaces of Ti₃C₂ MXene substrates with the substrate being the source material. Activated by thermal exposure and electron-beam irradiation, hexagonal TiC single adlayers form on defunctionalized surfaces of Ti₃C₂ MXene at temperatures above 500 °C, generating new 2D materials Ti₄C₃ and Ti₅C₄. The growth mechanism for a single TiC adlayer and the energies that govern atom migration and diffusion are elucidated by comprehensive density functional theory and force-bias Monte Carlo/molecular dynamics simulations. This work could lead to the development of bottom-up synthesis methods using substrates terminated with similar hexagonal-metal surfaces, for controllable synthesis of larger-scale and higher quality single-layer transition metal carbides.