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Electrochemical Intercalation in Atomically Thin van der Waals Materials for Structural Phase Transition and Device
Yang Li1,2, Hang Yan1,2, Bo Xu1,2
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|July 30, 2020
Summary
Electrochemical intercalation of foreign species into van der Waals (vdWs) materials enables tunable electronic structures and phase transitions. This review covers intercalation platforms, characterization, and applications, highlighting future opportunities in vdWs heterostructures.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Van der Waals (vdWs) materials and heterostructures possess weak interlayer interactions, allowing for interface engineering.
- The vdWs gap facilitates tuning electronic structures via intercalation of foreign species.
- This tunability can lead to novel physical phenomena and device functionalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in electrochemical intercalation into atomically thin vdWs materials.
- To discuss structural phase transitions and device applications driven by intercalation.
- To identify future opportunities and challenges in this field.
Main Methods:
- Introduction of various electrochemical intercalation platforms for vdWs materials.
- Summary of in situ characterization techniques for intercalation dynamics (optical, scanning probe, electrical transport).
- Analysis of experimentally reported phase transitions and device applications.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of electrochemical intercalation as a viable method for vdWs materials.
- Observation of structural phase transitions and diverse functionalities in intercalated vdWs devices.
- Highlighting the potential for advanced applications through controlled intercalation.
Conclusions:
- Electrochemical intercalation is a powerful tool for manipulating vdWs materials.
- Future research should focus on intrinsic intercalation mechanisms, precise species identification, and kinetics control.
- Opportunities exist for ultrafast switching devices and novel vdWs heterostructures.
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