Solution-based electrostatic self-assembly route for obtaining graphene-transition metal dichalcogenide heterostructures

Heterostructures of 2D materials have provided splendid insights into fundamental phenomena and are also promising for numerous applications. However, the protocols for obtaining them remain highly specific and lack scalability. Herein, the demonstrated protocol employs surfactant-assisted exfoliation and centrifugation-based size-selection of nanosheets for synthesizing heterostructures through electrostatic self-assembly. Liquid exfoliation in cationic and anionic surfactants produces nanosheets of 2D materials which are flocculated into heterostructures through electrostatic assembly by simple mixing.