EUROPEAN CONGRESS AND EXHIBITION ON ADVANCED MATERIALS AND PROCESSES - EUROMAT 2021

Among various two-dimensional (2D) materials, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has received intensive interest owing to its unique physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. Being capable of synthesizing MoS2 nanostructures with controlled dimensions, manipulating, and assembling them to designated structures or locations could accelerate technical breakthroughs in their applications. Herein, we report a robust and scalable approach to synthesize MoS2 into longitudinal forms, i.e., nanoribbons. Owing to the strong shape anisotropy, the electric polarizability of MoS2 can be enhanced remarkably that allows them to transport on a 2D surface with excellent control of orientation; they track arbitrary paths and rotate both clockwise and counter-clockwise. Such a versatile manipulation of MoS2 or any 2D materials has been reported for the first time. The high chemical purity and poly-crystallinity further endow the nanoribbons with enhanced surface reactivity compared to the single-crystal form; they conjugate with click-chemistry and assemble between microelectrodes upon UV-light exposure after the manipulation. These nanoribbons also exhibit rapid electronic response to visible light for optoelectronics and remove mercury for water purification. This research may enable the manufacture and device fabrication of various 2D materials.