A Molecular Coordination Strategy for Regulating the Interface of MoS₂ Field Effect Transistors

Chemically modifying monolayer two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with organic molecules provides a wide range of possibilities to regulate the electronic and optoelectronic performance of both materials and devices. However, it remains challenging to chemically attach organic molecules to monolayer TMDs without damaging their crystal structures. Herein, we show that the Mo atoms of monolayer MoS₂ (1L-MoS₂) in defect states can coordinate with both catechol and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) groups, affording a facile route to chemically modifying 1L-MoS₂. Through the design of two isomeric molecules (LA2 and LA5) comprising catechol and Phen groups, we show that attaching organic molecules to Mo atoms via coordinative bonds has no negative effect on the crystal structure of 1L-MoS₂. Both theoretical calculation and experiment results indicate that the coordinative strategy is beneficial for (i) repairing sulfur vacancies and passivating defects; (ii) achieving a long-term and stable n-doping effect; and (iii) facilitating the electron transfer. Field effect transistors (FETs) based on the coordinatively modified 1L-MoS₂ show high electron mobilities up to 120.3 cm² V^-1 s^-1 with impressive current on/off ratios over 10⁹. Our results indicate that coordinatively attaching catechol- or Phen-bearing molecules may be a general method for the nondestructive modification of TMDs.