Improving the Electro-Optical Properties of MoS$_2$/rGO Hybrid Nanocomposites Using Liquid Crystals

TL;DR

This study enhances the electro-optical performance of MoS2/rGO hybrid nanocomposites by incorporating liquid crystals, leading to increased sensitivity, charge storage, and photocurrent switching, with potential applications in optoelectronics.

Contribution

It introduces a hydrothermal synthesis method for MoS2/rGO nanocomposites and demonstrates how liquid crystal integration improves their electro-optical properties.

Findings

Increased sensitivity and charge storage with 5CB LC incorporation

Demonstration of photocurrent switching induced by 5CB

Enhanced responsivity and detectivity in hybrid nanocomposites

Abstract

Hybrid systems of two-dimensional (2D) materials (such as graphene-family materials and 2D transition metal dichalcogenides) are attracting much attention due to their distinctive optoelectronic, thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties. The application perspectives of these materials in various fields further expand when enriching those with liquid crystals (LCs) primarily due to their enhanced tunability and functionality. In this study, we report on the hydrothermal synthesis of hybrid nanocomposites composed of MoS$_2$ and rGO and discuss tuning possibilities of their electro-optical properties by incorporating thermotropic LCs. In particular, we demonstrate that the incorporation of 5CB LC increases the sensitivity and charge storage efficiency of the hybrid nanocomposites. In addition, we also present the responsivity, detectivity, and response time properties of the hybrid nanocomposites of MoS$_2$/rGO, both with and without the inclusion of nematic LCs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the system exhibits a 5CB-induced photocurrent switching effect. We believe the findings will open new doors for applications of these materials in optoelectronics and photonics.