Tuning the Electrical Transport Properties of Multilayered Molybdenum Disulfide Nanosheets by Intercalating Phosphorus

We demonstrate the tuning of the electrical transport properties of MoS₂ nanosheets by intercalating phosphorus (P). The P-doped MoS₂ nanosheets were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The structures and electrical properties of P-doped MoS₂ nanosheets were systematically investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectral analysis, adsorption spectra analysis, and Hall measurements. The results indicate that the stacking of the (002) plane in multilayered MoS₂ nanosheets is inhibited and the interlayer spacing is enlarged with the introduction of P atoms. Both experimental results and theoretical calculations indicate that P atoms are much easier to intercalate into the interlayers of MoS₂, compared with substitution of Mo and S, which significantly affects the vibrational modes of Raman spectra. Furthermore, because of the extra electrons introduced by intercalating P atoms, the conductivity of MoS₂ could be gradually modulated from p-type to n-type by increasing the content of intercalated P. This demonstration of tuning the electrical transport properties of MoS₂ could help in the design of electrical and optoelectronic devices based on layered metal dichalcogenides.