We are thrilled to share a new publication from our 2D-PRINTABLE partner UNISTRA, titled “Toposelective Functionalization of Solution-Processed Transition Metal Dichalcogenides with Metal Nanoparticles via Defect Engineering”, featured in Advanced Materials.
Solution-processed semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides are widely used as essential 2D substrates and templates for developing hybrid structures with novel or enhanced properties. Yet, the influence and controllability of their abundant structural defects remain insufficiently explored.
In this work, the authors introduce an innovative strategy that leverages the highly reactive, defect-rich edges of these materials to achieve toposelective functionalization with noble metal nanoparticles via galvanic displacement. This approach enables the selective decoration of nanosheets with gold, palladium, or platinum nanoparticles, with tunable particle size and loading.
As a proof of concept, the resulting hybrid systems were evaluated for optical and photothermal sensing, electrocatalysis, and electronics – showing enhanced performance and broad potential for application. These findings open new pathways for producing mixed-dimensional multifunctional materials by harnessing the intrinsic defects of solution-processed transition metal dichalcogenides through targeted molecular chemistry.
Congratulations to UNISTRA on this exciting achievement!
