Designed Synthesis of [TiSe₂]_m[NbSe₂]_n Superlattices from Modulated Reactants

Abstract

Intergrown dichalcogenide layers with a predetermined modulation of composition can be prepared through controlled crystallization of reactants with superlattice structure. The resulting superlattice products (the picture shows the transition from one dichalcogenide component (black spheres) to the other (gray spheres)) are formed as polycrystalline thin films oriented with the dichalcogenide layers parallel to the substrate surface. We are thus a step closer to being able to tune physical and chemical properties through the design of superlattices.