Spin-Polarized Charge Separation at Two-Dimensional Semiconductor/Molecule Interfaces

Spin-polarized electrons can improve the efficiency and selectivity of photo- and electro-catalytic reactions, as demonstrated in the past with magnetic or magnetized catalysts. Here, we present a scheme in which spin-polarized charge separation occurs at the interfaces of nonmagnetic semiconductors and molecular films in the absence of a magnetic field. We take advantage of the spin-valley-locked band structure and valley-dependent optical selection rule in group VI transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) monolayers to generate spin-polarized electron-hole pairs. Photoinduced electron transfer from WS₂ to fullerene (C₆₀) and hole transfer from MoSe₂ to phthalocyanine (H₂Pc) are found to result in spin polarization lifetimes that are 1 order of magnitude longer than those in the TMDC monolayers alone. Our findings connect valleytronic properties of TMDC monolayers to spin-polarized interfacial charge transfer and suggest a viable route toward spin-selective photocatalysis.