MoxWx-1S2 Nanotubes for Advanced Field Emission Application

Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) nanotubes complement the field of low-dimensional materials with their quasi-1D morphology and a wide set of intriguing properties. By introducing different transition metals into the crystal structure, their properties can be tailored for specific purpose and applications. Herein, the characterization and a subsequent preparation of single-nanotube field emission devices of MoxWx-1S2 nanotubes prepared via the chemical vapor transport reaction is presented. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction indicate that the molybdenum and tungsten atoms are randomly distributed within the crystal structure and that the material is highly crystalline. High resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction (ED) patterns further corroborate these findings. A detailed analysis of the ED patterns from an eight-layer nanotube reveal that the nanotubes grow in the 2H structure, with each shell consists of one bilayer. The work function of the nanotubes is lower than that of pure MoS2 and WS2 NTs, making them ideal candidates for field emission applications. Two devices with different geometrical setup are prepared and tested as field emitters, showing promising results for single nanotube field emission applications.