skip to main content
US FlagAn official website of the United States government
dot gov icon
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
https lock icon
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


This content will become publicly available on May 1, 2026

Title: Solution-processed multifunctional graphene and Graphene/MoS2 heterostructure films
W e present a scalable solution-processing method for fabricating high-quality graphene and graphene/1T-MoS 2 heterostructure films. The process begins with the synthesis of potassium-intercalated graphite (KC 8 ), which is exfoliated in tetrahydrofuran (THF) to produce stable dispersions of negatively charged (electron rich) graphene sheets. The graphene is subsequently transferred to water, forming a surfactant-free aqueous dispersion suitable for creating homogenous graphene films via vacuum filtration and stamping. Additionally, graphene is combined with 1T-MoS 2 nanosheets to fabricate graphene/1T-MoS 2 bulk heterostructure films. Comprehensive characterization, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy ( TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photon emission spectroscopy (XPS), reveals that the heterostructure films exhibit enhanced optical and electronic properties, including improved light absorption, which could lead to novel photo-responsive devices. Raman spectroscopy shows significant changes in the graphene’s structural a nd electronic properties upon interaction with MoS 2 , indicating strong interlayer coupling and potential charge transfer between the layered components. The g raphene films demonstrate highly sensitive detection of dopamine (DA), while the graphene/1T-MoS 2 b ulk heterostructure films exhibit capacitance values up to 3 8.3 Fg − 1 at 5 mV/s in non-aqueous electrolytes. These results highlight the potential of these films for advanced applications in molecular sensing and energy storage.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2113864
PAR ID:
10620735
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Elsevier
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Carbon
Volume:
238
Issue:
C
ISSN:
0008-6223
Page Range / eLocation ID:
120220
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. The electrical properties of graphene on dielectric substrates, such as silicon carbide (SiC), have received much attention due to their interesting applications. This work presents a method to grow graphene on a 6H-SiC substrate at a pressure of 35 Torr by using the hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) technique. The graphene deposition was conducted in an atmosphere of methane and hydrogen at a temperature of 950 °C. The graphene films were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Raman mapping and AFM measurements indicated that few-layer and multilayer graphene were deposited from the external carbon source depending on the growth parameter conditions. The compositional analysis confirmed the presence of graphene deposition on SiC substrates and the absence of any metal involved in the growth process. 
    more » « less
  2. Abstract Monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) is one of the most studied two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides that is being investigated for various optoelectronic properties, such as catalysis, sensors, photovoltaics, and batteries. One such property that makes this material attractive is the ease in which 2D MoS 2 can be converted between the semiconducting (2H) and metallic/semi-metallic (1T/1T′) phases or heavily n-type doped 2H phase with ion intercalation, strain, or excess negative charge. Using n -butyl lithium (BuLi) immersion treatments, we achieve 2H MoS 2 monolayers that are heavily n-type doped with shorter immersion times (10–120 mins) or conversion to the 1T/1T′ phase with longer immersion times (6–24 h); however, these doped/converted monolayers are not stable and promptly revert back to the initial 2H phase upon exposure to air. To overcome this issue and maintain the modification of the monolayer MoS 2 upon air exposure, we use BuLi treatments plus surface functionalization p-(CH 3 CH 2 ) 2 NPh-MoS 2 (Et 2 N-MoS 2 )—to maintain heavily n-type doped 2H phase or the 1T/1T′ phase, which is preserved for over two weeks when on indium tin oxide or sapphire substrates. We also determine that the low sheet resistance and metallic-like properties correlate with the BuLi immersion times. These modified MoS 2 materials are characterized with confocal Raman/photoluminescence, absorption, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as scanning Kelvin probe microscopy, scanning electrochemical microscopy, and four-point probe sheet resistance measurements to quantify the differences in the monolayer optoelectronic properties. We will demonstrate chemical methodologies to control the modified monolayer MoS 2 that likely extend to other 2D transition metal dichalcogenides, which will greatly expand the uses for these nanomaterials. 
    more » « less
  3. Here, we demonstrate a two-step electrosynthesis approach for the preparation of silver pyrovanadate, Ag 4 V 2 O 7 in thin-film form. In the first, cathodic step, polycrystalline Ag was deposited on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate from a non-aqueous bath. Aqueous pyrovanadate species were then generated by aging of a CO 2 -infused sodium orthovanadate (Na 3 VO 4 ) solution for three weeks. Silver ions were subsequently generated in situ in this medium using anodic stripping of the Ag/ITO films from the first step. Interfacial precipitation of the Ag + ions with the pyrovanadate species afforded the targeted product in phase pure form. The various stages of the electrosynthesis were monitored in situ via the combined use of voltammetry, electrochemical quartz crystal nanogravimetry (EQCN), and coulometry. The Ag 4 V 2 O 7 thin films were characterized by a variety of experimental techniques, including X-ray diffraction, laser Raman spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Surface photovoltage spectroscopy, ambient-pressure photoemission spectroscopy, and Kelvin probe contact potential difference (work function) measurements afforded information on the energy band structure of the p -type Ag 4 V 2 O 7 semiconductor. Finally, the electrochemical and photoelectrochemical properties of the electrosynthesized Ag 4 V 2 O 7 thin films were studied in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes. 
    more » « less
  4. We report the first direct synthesis of graphene on SiO2/Si by hot-filament chemical vapor deposition. Graphene deposition was conducted at low pressures (35 Torr) with a mixture of methane/hydrogen and a substrate temperature of 970 °C followed by spontaneous cooling to room temperature. A thin copper-strip was deposited in the middle of the SiO2/Si substrate as catalytic material. Raman spectroscopy mapping and atomic force microscopy measurements indicate the growth of few-layers of graphene over the entire SiO2/Si substrate, far beyond the thin copper-strip, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed negligible amounts of copper next to the initially deposited strip. The scale of the graphene nanocrystal was estimated by Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. 
    more » « less
  5. Titanium dioxide (TiO2)/nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) nanocomposite is prepared via a solvent-free hydrothermal reaction. The resulting TiO2/NG materials exhibit a reduction of the band gap energy compared to pristine TiO2 from 3.27 eV to 2.69 eV. These materials are characterized by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). To prepare biopolymer films with photocatalytic properties, TiO2 and NG are mixed with biodegradable chitosan and spin-coated on a silicon wafer. Film roughness and thickness are evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). These films are then tested for ciprofloxacin photodegradation by irradiating with visible light. In comparison to the TiO2/chitosan films, the addition of NG substantially enhances photodegradation efficiency by up to 34% upon the addition of 5% w/w of NG. Furthermore, this film is shown to be a good substrate for biomarker detection using laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS). In summary, this nanocomposite-biopolymer film provides good photocatalytic activity towards ciprofloxacin degradation and enhances the ionization efficiency of peptide biomarkers in LDI-MS owing to high efficiency of laser absorption/desorption. This nanocomposite film might be useful for environmental-related and medical application. 
    more » « less