Direct intercalation of MoS₂ and WS₂ thin films by vacuum filtration

In the development of next-generation electronics and energy devices, intercalation compounds of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are gaining attention for their unique properties that result from synergistic interactions between guest species and host materials. Nowadays, intercalation compounds of MoS₂ and WS₂ are commonly prepared by a two-step process: (1) exfoliation to form single-layer and/or few-layer nanosheets and (2) restacking the nanosheets with the guest species by vigorously mixing the exfoliated suspension with the solution of guest species. While a wide variety of intercalation compounds have been synthesized using this approach, the intercalation process is often time-consuming, and the product slurry limits material quality and impedes characterization and applications. Herein, we report a versatile method for preparing intercalated TMDCs in a thin-film morphology. Using this approach, we successfully prepared a range of existing intercalation compounds of MoS₂ and WS₂ (e.g., ferrocene and amine intercalated MoS₂ and WS₂). Additionally, by leveraging the versatility of this intercalation method, we intercalated phenazine and benzoquinone into MoS₂ and WS₂ for the first time.