Optimized plasmonic enhancement and deformation reduction in MoS₂ monolayers using Au-nanowire-embedded polymers

Hybrid systems consisting of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) layers and metal nanostructures offer promising opportunities to control excitonic behaviors and enhance light-matter interaction in TMDs. This work introduces an unprecedented approach to integrate exfoliated MoS₂ monolayers with gold nanowire (AuNW)-embedded PDMS films. Localized surface plasmon excitation in AuNWs boosts light scattering, as evidenced by optical characterization and numerical simulations. Notably, MoS₂ monolayers on AuNW-embedded PDMS films exhibit a five-fold increase in photoluminescence intensity compared to those on non-embedded AuNW/PDMS substrates. This enhancement arises from the extended and intensified electric fields resulting from the substantial dielectric permittivity contrast between PDMS and air. Furthermore, embedding AuNWs effectively mitigates mechanical deformation of MoS₂ monolayers, suppressing strain-induced dissociation of photo-generated excitons. These findings demonstrate the potential of AuNW-embedded polymers for advanced TMD-based plasmonic device applications.