Atomic and Electronic Properties of 2D Moiré Interfaces

This thesis provides the first atomic length-scale observation of the structural transformation (referred to as lattice reconstruction) that occurs in moiré superlattices of twisted bilayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) at low (θ

Studies using Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), a powerful tool for atomic-scale imaging, were limited due to the complexity of the (atomically-thin) sample fabrication requirements. This work developed a unique way to selectively cut and re-stack monolayers of TMDs with a controlled rotational twist angle which could then be easily suspended on a TEM grid to meet the needs of the atomically thin sample requirements. The fabrication technique enabled the study of the two common stacking-polytypes including 3R and 2H (using MoS2 and WS2 as the example) as well as their structural evolution with decreasing twist-angle.

Atomic-scale studies were followed by a comprehensive investigation of their electronic properties using scanning probe microscopy and electrical transport measurements of the artificially-engineered structures. The electronic structure of two common stacking-polytypes (3R and 2H) were strikingly different, as revealed by conductive atomic force microscopy. Further studies focused on the 3R-stacking polytype to reveal room-temperature out-of-plane ferroelectricity using tools such as kelvin probe force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electrical transport measurements. This work highlights that the unique intrinsic properties of TMDs (i.e. semiconductors with strongly light-matter interaction) combined with the additional twisted degree-of-freedom has great potential to create atomically thin transistors/LEDs with built-in memory storage functions and will further aid in the development of the next generation of optoelectronics.

Astrid Weston received her initial degree at the University of Manchester studying Materials Science and Engineering for an integrated masters degree. She went on to obtain a PhD studentship in the Graphene NOWNANO centre of doctoral training based in the University of Manchester. Here, she studied under the supervision of Professor Roman Gorbachev, specialising in nano-fabrication and scanning probe microscopy of moiré superlattices in van der Waals heterostructures. Since finishing her PhD she has been awarded the EPSRC doctoral prize fellowship which she is currently carrying out at the University of Manchester.