Synthesis, Transfer, and Properties of Layered FeTe₂ Nanocrystals

Different from layered two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), iron dichalcogenides crystallize in the most common three-dimensional pyrite or marcasite structures. Layered iron dichalcogenides are rarely reported and little is known about their structures and properties. Here, layered hexagonal phase iron ditelluride FeTe₂ (h-FeTe₂) nanocrystals are grown on mica by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) method and are fully characterized by various methods. Like other 2D layered TMD materials, the FeTe₂ nanoflakes exhibit regular hexagon, half hexagon, or triangle shapes with a controllable thickness of 6–95 nm and lateral length from a few to tens of micrometers. A simple and effective method is used to transfer the FeTe₂ nanoflakes from the mica substrate onto any other substrates without quality deterioration by using polystyrene (PS) as a support polymer, which can also be operated in ethanol or ethylene glycol in a glovebox to avoid contact with water and air. Temperature-dependent electrical transport demonstrates that the FeTe₂ nanoflake is a semiconductor with a variable range hopping (VRH) conduction, and its nonsaturated linear magnetoresistance (MR) reaches up to 10.4% under magnetic field of 9 T at 2 K, both probably due to its structure disorders. No signature of magnetic ordering is observed down to 2 K. The CVD growth of this layered FeTe₂ represents an addition to the extensive library of 2D materials, particularly iron chalcogenides or alloys. Synthesis, properties, and even doping of phase pure h-FeTe₂ call for further study in the future.