Photoluminescence quenching in gold - MoS2 hybrid nanoflakes

TL;DR

This study explores how gold nanostructures interact with MoS2 monolayers, leading to photoluminescence quenching through charge transfer, which opens new possibilities for 2D nanoelectronics and catalysis.

Contribution

It demonstrates controlled gold deposition on MoS2 and provides evidence of PL quenching due to charge transfer, advancing understanding of hybrid 2D material interactions.

Findings

Gold nanostructures cause PL quenching in MoS2

Charge transfer results in p-doping of MoS2

Hybrid systems have potential for nanoelectronic applications

Abstract

Achieving tunability of two dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) functions calls for the introduction of hybrid 2D materials by means of localized interactions with zero dimensional (0D) materials. A metal-semiconductor interface, as in gold (Au) - molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), is of great interest from the standpoint of fundamental science as it constitutes an outstanding platform to investigate plasmonic-exciton interactions and charge transfer. The applied aspects of such systems introduce new options for electronics, photovoltaics, detectors, gas sensing, catalysis, and biosensing. Here we consider pristine MoS2 and study its interaction with Au nanoislands, resulting in local variations of photoluminescence (PL) associated with various Au-MoS2 hybrid configurations. By controllably depositing monolayers of Au on MoS2 to form Au nanostructures of given size and thickness, we investigate the electronic structure of the resulting hybrid systems. We present strong evidence of PL quenching of MoS2 as a result of charge transfer from MoS2 to Au: p-doping of MoS2. The results suggest new avenues for 2D nanoelectronics, active control of transport or catalytic properties.