Advancing Flexible Electronics through Novel Two-dimensional Materials Development
Open Access
Author:
Distefano, Jennifer Geary
Area of Honors:
Materials Science and Engineering
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Joshua Alexander Robinson, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Robert Allen Kimel, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
flexible electronics two-dimensional materials transition metal dichalcogenides
Abstract:
The combination of extraordinary electronic, optical, and mechanical properties of novel two-dimensional semiconductors makes them promising candidates for the next generation of flexible electronics. Because of the strong correlation between the crystal quality of these materials and temperature, processing temperatures typically must be greater than 500˚ C. Therefore, in order to achieve direct growth of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) for flexible applications, we require substrates with higher thermal stability than commonly used flexible polymeric substrates, such as flexible glass substrates. In this work, we examine the direct growth of TMDs on flexible glass using a “low temperature” (600˚ C) chemical vapor deposition synthesis process, compatible with current flexible glass technology. We demonstrate several promising methods that enable direct growth of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) on these substrates at the required temperatures using various precursors. This materials advancement has the potential to broadly impact the field of flexible electronics and enable numerous new electronic and optoelectronic devices.
