Names | |
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IUPAC name Tantalum diselenide | |
Other names Tantalum(IV) diselenide Tantalum selenide | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.031.713 |
EC Number |
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PubChem CID | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
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Properties | |
TaSe 2 | |
Molar mass | 338.87 g/mol |
Appearance | Silverish/goldish solid |
Structure | |
a = 0.343 nm (2H), 0.348 nm (1T), c = 1.27 nm (2H), 0.627 nm (1T) | |
Related compounds | |
Other anions | Tantalum ditelluride Tantalum disulfide |
Other cations | Molybdenum diselenide Niobium diselenide Tungsten diselenide |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). |
Tantalum diselenide is a compound made with tantalum and selenium atoms, with chemical formula TaSe2, which belongs to the family of transition metal dichalcogenides. In contrast to molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) [1] or rhenium disulfide (ReS2), [2] tantalum diselenide does not occur spontaneously in nature, but it can be synthesized. Depending on the growth parameters, different types of crystal structures can be stabilized.
In the 2010s, interest in this compound has risen due to its ability to show a charge density wave (CDW), which depends on the crystal structure, up to 600 K (327 °C), [3] while other transition metal dichalcogenides normally need to be cooled down to hundreds of kelvins or even below to observe the same capability.
As other TMDs, TaSe2 is a layered compound, with a central tantalum hexagonal lattice sandwiched between two layers of selenium atoms, still with a hexagonal structure. Differently with respect to other 2D materials such as graphene, which is atomically thin, TMDs are composed by trilayers of atoms strongly bounded to each others, stacked above other trilayers and kept together through Van der Waals forces. TMDs can be easily exfoliated.
The most studied crystal structures of TaSe2 are the 1T and 2H phases that feature, respectively, octahedral and trigonal prismatic symmetries. [4] However, it is also possible to synthesize the 3R phase [4] or the 1H phase. [5]
In the 1T phase, selenium atoms show an octahedral symmetry [5] and the relative orientation of the selenium atoms in the topmost and bottommost layers is opposed. On a macroscopic scale, the sample shows a gold colour. [4] The lattice parameters are a = b = 3.48 Å, [5] while c = 0.627 nm. [4] Depending on the temperature, it shows different types of charge density waves (CDW): an incommensurate CDW (ICDW) between 473 and 600 K (200–327 °C) [4] and a commensurate CDW (CCDW) below 473 K (200 °C). [4] In the commensurate CDW, the resulting superlattice shows a √13 × √13 reconstruction [6] often referred to as star of David (SOD), [6] with respect to the lattice parameter (a = b) of non distorted TaSe2 (above 600 K (327 °C)). Film thickness can influence as well the CDW transition temperature: the thinner the film, the lower the transition temperature from ICDW to CCDW. [4]
In the 1T phase the single trilayers are stacked always in the same geometry, as shown in the corresponding image.
The 2H phase is based on a configuration of selenium atoms characterized by a trigonal prismatic symmetry [5] and an equal relative orientation in the topmost and bottommost layers. The lattice parameters are a = b = 3.43 Å, [5] [7] while c = 1.27 nm. [7] Depending on the temperature, it shows different types of charge density wave: an incommensurate CDW (ICDW) between 90 and 122 K (−183.2 – −151.2 °C) and a commensurate CDW (CCDW) below 90 K (−183.2 °C). [4] [8] The lattice distortion below 90 K (−183.2 °C) gives rise to a CCDW that makes a 3 × 3 reconstruction [9] with respect to the non-distorted lattice parameter (a = b) of 2H-TaSe2 (above 122 K (−151 °C)).
In the 2H phase the single trilayers are stacked one opposed to others, as shown in the relative image. Through molecular beam epitaxy it is possible to grow one single trilayer of 2H-TaSe2, also known as 1H phase. Basically, the 2H phase can be seen as the stacking of 1H phase with opposed relative orientation with respect to each others. [5]
In the 1H phase the ICDW transition temperature is raised to 130 K (−143 °C). [9]
TaSe2 exhibits different properties according to the polytype (2H or 1T), even if the chemical composition remains unchanged.
The resistivity at low temperature is similar to that of a metal, but it starts decreasing at higher temperatures. A peak is exhibited at approximately 473 K (200 °C), which resembles the behavior of semiconductors. [10] 1T phase has almost two orders of magnitude higher resistivity than to the 2H phase. [10]
The magnetic susceptibility of the 1T phases has no peaks at low temperature and remains always nearly constant until 473 K (200 °C) is reached (ICDW temperature transition), when it jumps to slightly higher values. [10] 1T phase is diamagnetic. [11]
Resistivity linearly depends on the temperature when the latter exceeds 110 K (−163 °C). [12] On the opposite, below this threshold it shows a non-linear behaviour. This abrupt variation of R(T) at 110 K (−163 °C) might be related to the formation of some kinds of magnetic ordering in TaSe2: ordered spins scatter electrons in a less efficient way. This increases electrons mobility and yields a faster drop in resistivity than that ideally corresponding to a linear trend.
The magnetic susceptibility of the 2H polytype slightly depends on the temperature and peaks in the range 110–120 K (−163 – −153 °C). The trend is linearly ascending or descending below and above 110 K (−163 °C), respectively. [12] This maximum in the 2H phases is related to the formation of the CCDW at 120 K (−153 °C). [10] The 2H phase is Pauli paramagnetic. [11]
The Hall coefficient RH is almost independent of the temperature above 120 K (−153 °C), a threshold below which it instead starts to drop to eventually reach a value of zero at 90 K (−183.2 °C). In the range between 4 and 90 K (−269 – −183 °C), the coefficient RH is negative, its minimum being experienced at approximately 35 K (−238.2 °C). [12]
Bulk 1T-TaSe2 is metallic, [5] while single monolayer (trilayer Se–Ta–Se in octahedral symmetry) is observed to be insulating [5] [6] with a band gap of 0.2 eV, [5] in contrast with theoretical calculation which expected to be metallic as the bulk. [5]
Bulk 2H-TaSe2 is metallic [5] and so the single monolayer [5] (trilayer Se–Ta–Se in trigonal prismatic symmetry), which is also known as the 1H phase. [5]
Investigating the non-linear refractive index of tantalum diselenide can be pursued preparing atomically thin flakes of TaSe2 with the liquid phase exfoliation method. Since this technique requires using alcohol, the refractive index of tantalum diselenide can be retrieved through Kerr's law: [13] n = n0 + n2I, where n0 = 1.37 represents the linear refractive index of ethanol, [13] n2 is the non-linear refractive index [13] of TaSe2 and I is the incident intensity of the laser beam. [13] Using different light wavelengths, in particular λ = 532 nm and λ = 671 nm, it is possible to measure both n2 and χ(3), the third order nonlinear susceptibility. [13]
Both these quantities depend on I because the higher the intensity of the laser, the higher the samples are heated up, which results in a variation of the refractive index. [13]
For λ = 532 nm, n2 = 8×10−7 cm2/W [13] and χ(3) = 1.37×10−7 (e.s.u.). [13]
For λ = 671 nm, n2 = 3.3×10−7 cm2/W [13] and χ(3) = 1.58×10−7 (e.s.u.). [13]
Bulk 2H-TaSe2 has been demonstrated to be superconductive below a temperature of 0.14 K (−273.01 °C). [9] However, the single monolayer (1H phase) can be associated with a critical temperature increased by an increment that can range up to 1 K (−272.15 °C). [9]
Despite the 1T phase typically does not show any superconductive behaviour, [14] formation of TaSe2−xTex compound is possible through doping with tellurium atoms. The former compound superconductive character depends on the fraction of tellurium (x can vary in the range 0 < x < 2). [14] The superconductive state arises when the fraction of Te ranges within 0.5 < x < 1.3: [14] the optimal configuration is achieved at x = 0.6 [14] and in correspondence of a critical temperature Tc = 1.6 K (−271.55 °C). [14] In the optimal configuration, the CDW is totally suppressed by the presence of tellurium. [14]
Opposite to MoS2, which is largely employed as a lubricant in many different mechanical application, TaSe2 has not shown the same properties, with an average friction coefficient of 0.15. [15] Under friction tests, like the Barker pendulum, it shows an initial friction coefficient of 0.2 to 0.3, [15] which quickly increases to larger values as the number of oscillations of the pendulum increases (while for MoS2 it is almost constant during all the oscillations.) [15]
There are different methods in order to synthesize tantalum diselenide: depending on the growth parameter, different types of polytype can be stabilized.
In general, TMDs can be synthesized through a chemical vapor transport technique accordingly to the following chemical equation: [16]
where M is the chosen transition metal (Ta, Mo, etc.) and X represents the chosen chalcogen element (Se, Te, S). The parameter n, which governs the crystal growth, can vary between 3 and 50, and can be selected appropriately so that the crystal growth is optimized. [16] During such growth, which might last for 2 to 7 days, the temperature is initially increased within a range between Th = 600–900 °C (873–1,173 K). [16] Then, it is cooled down to Tc = 530–800 °C (803–1,073 K). [16] After the growth completion, the crystals are cooled down to room temperature. Depending on the value of Tc, either the 2H or the 1T phase can be stabilized: in particular, using tantalum and selenium with Tc < 800 °C (1,070 K), only the 2H phase is stabilized. For the 1T phase, Tc must be larger. [16] This allows to selectively grow the desirable phase of the chosen TMD. [16]
Using powder of TaCl5 and selenium as precursors, and a gold substrate, the 2H phase can be stabilized. The gold substrate has to be heated up to 930 °C (1,200 K), while TaCl5 and Se can be heated to 650 °C (923 K) and 300 °C (573 K), respectively. [17] Argon and hydrogen gases are used as carriers. Once the growth is complete, the sample is cooled down to room temperature.
Since the single trilayers are kept together only by weak Van der Waals forces, atomically thin layers of tantalum diselenide can be easily separated by using scotch/carbon tape on the bulk TaSe2 crystals. [18] With this method it is possible to isolate few layers (or even a single layer) of TaSe2. [18] Then, the isolated layers can be deposited above other substrates, such as SiO2, [18] for further characterizations.
Pure tantalum is directly sublimated on a bilayer of graphene inside a selenium atmosphere. [5] Depending on the temperature of the substrate Ts (graphene bilayer), the 1T or the 2H phase can be stabilized: in particular, if Ts = 450 °C (723 K) the 2H is favoured, while at Ts = 560 °C (833 K) the 1T is stabilized. [5] This growth method is suitable only for atomically thin/few layers, but not for bulk crystals.
Bulk crystals of TaSe2 (or any other TMDs) are put in a solution of pure ethanol. The mixture is then sonicated in an ultrasonic device with a power of at least 450 W for 15 hours. [13] In this way it is possible to overcome the Van der Waals forces that keep the single monolayers of TaSe2 together, resulting in the formation of atomically thin flakes of tantalum diselenide. [13]
Since 2H TaSe2 has been found to feature very large optical absorption and emission of light at approximately 532 nm, [19] it might be used for the development of new devices. In particular, the possibility of transferring energy between TaSe2 and other TMDs, especially MoS2, has been proved. This process can be accomplished in a non-radiative resonant way by exploiting the large coupling between the TaSe2 emission and the excitonic absorption of TMDs. [19]
Moreover, it is a promising material that may be used for the injection of hot carriers in semiconducting materials and other non-metallic TMDs [19] due to the high lifetime of the generated photoelectrons. [19]
Exploiting the dependence of the non linear effects of TaSe2 by the intensity I of the incident laser beam, [13] it is possible to build an all-optical switch by means of two lasers which operate at different wavelengths and intensities. In particular, a high-intensity laser at λ2 = 671 nm is used to modulate a low-intensity signal at λ2 = 532 nm. [13] Since there is a minimum value of I in order to trigger the non-linear effects, the low intensity signal cannot excite alone. [13] On the contrary, when the high-intensity beam (λ1) is coupled with the low intensity signal (λ2), non-linear effects at both λ1 and λ2 arise. [13] So, it is possible to trigger the non-linear effects on the low-intensity signal (λ2) by operating on the high-intensity one (λ1).
Exploiting the coupling between λ1 and λ2 enables transferring information from the high-intensity beam to the low-intensity one. With this method, the delay time for transferring the information from λ1 to λ2 is around 0.6 seconds [13]
Usually spin-orbit torque and spin to charge devices are built by interfacing a ferromagnetic layer with a bulk heavy transition metal, such as platinum. [20] However, these effects take mainly place at the interface rather than in the platinum bulk, which introduces heat dissipation due to ohmic losses. [20] Theoretical and DFT simulations suggest that interfacing a 1T-TaSe2 monolayer with cobalt might lead to higher performances with respect to the usual platinum-based devices. [20]
Recent experiments showed that the spin-orbit scattering length of TaSe2 is around Lso = 17 nm, [21] which is highly comparable with the one of platinum, Lso = 12 nm. [21] This suggests the possible implementation of tantalum diselenide for the development of new 2D spintronic devices based on the spin Hall effect. [21]
DFT and AIMD simulations suggest that the stacking of flakes of both TaSe2 and TaS2 in a disordered way could be used for the development of a new efficient and cheaper cathode that might be used for the extraction of H2 from other chemical compounds. [22]
Molybdenum disulfide is an inorganic compound composed of molybdenum and sulfur. Its chemical formula is MoS
2.
A chalcogenide is a chemical compound consisting of at least one chalcogen anion and at least one more electropositive element. Although all group 16 elements of the periodic table are defined as chalcogens, the term chalcogenide is more commonly reserved for sulfides, selenides, tellurides, and polonides, rather than oxides. Many metal ores exist as chalcogenides. Photoconductive chalcogenide glasses are used in xerography. Some pigments and catalysts are also based on chalcogenides. The metal dichalcogenide MoS2 is a common solid lubricant.
A Wigner crystal is the solid (crystalline) phase of electrons first predicted by Eugene Wigner in 1934. A gas of electrons moving in a uniform, inert, neutralizing background will crystallize and form a lattice if the electron density is less than a critical value. This is because the potential energy dominates the kinetic energy at low densities, so the detailed spatial arrangement of the electrons becomes important. To minimize the potential energy, the electrons form a bcc lattice in 3D, a triangular lattice in 2D and an evenly spaced lattice in 1D. Most experimentally observed Wigner clusters exist due to the presence of the external confinement, i.e. external potential trap. As a consequence, deviations from the b.c.c or triangular lattice are observed. A crystalline state of the 2D electron gas can also be realized by applying a sufficiently strong magnetic field. However, it is still not clear whether it is the Wigner crystallization that has led to observation of insulating behaviour in magnetotransport measurements on 2D electron systems, since other candidates are present, such as Anderson localization.
Tungsten disulfide is an inorganic chemical compound composed of tungsten and sulfur with the chemical formula WS2. This compound is part of the group of materials called the transition metal dichalcogenides. It occurs naturally as the rare mineral tungstenite. This material is a component of certain catalysts used for hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrification.
Manganese(II) diselenide is the inorganic compound with the formula MnSe2. This rarely encountered solid is structurally similar to that of iron pyrite (FeS2). Analogous to the description of iron pyrite, manganese diselenide is sometimes viewed as being composed of Mn2+ and Se22− ions, although being a semiconductor, MnSe2 is not appropriately described in formal oxidation states.
Tantalum(IV) sulfide is an inorganic compound with the formula TaS2. It is a layered compound with three-coordinate sulfide centres and trigonal prismatic or octahedral metal centres. It is structurally similar to molybdenum disulfide MoS2, and numerous other transition metal dichalcogenides. Tantalum disulfide has three polymorphs 1T-TaS2, 2H-TaS2, and 3R-TaS2, representing trigonal, hexagonal, and rhombohedral respectively.
A charge density wave (CDW) is an ordered quantum fluid of electrons in a linear chain compound or layered crystal. The electrons within a CDW form a standing wave pattern and sometimes collectively carry an electric current. The electrons in such a CDW, like those in a superconductor, can flow through a linear chain compound en masse, in a highly correlated fashion. Unlike a superconductor, however, the electric CDW current often flows in a jerky fashion, much like water dripping from a faucet due to its electrostatic properties. In a CDW, the combined effects of pinning and electrostatic interactions likely play critical roles in the CDW current's jerky behavior, as discussed in sections 4 & 5 below.
Titanium diselenide (TiSe2) also known as titanium(IV) selenide, is an inorganic compound of titanium and selenium. In this material selenium is viewed as selenide (Se2−) which requires that titanium exists as Ti4+. Titanium diselenide is a member of metal dichalcogenides, compounds that consist of a metal and an element of the chalcogen column within the periodic table. Many exhibit properties of potential value in battery technology, such as intercalation and electrical conductivity, although most applications focus on the less toxic and lighter disulfides, e.g. TiS2.
Molybdenum diselenide is an inorganic compound of molybdenum and selenium. Its structure is similar to that of MoS
2. Compounds of this category are known as transition metal dichalcogenides, abbreviated TMDCs. These compounds, as the name suggests, are made up of a transition metals and elements of group 16 on the periodic table of the elements. Compared to MoS
2, MoSe
2 exhibits higher electrical conductivity.
Tungsten diselenide is an inorganic compound with the formula WSe2. The compound adopts a hexagonal crystalline structure similar to molybdenum disulfide. The tungsten atoms are covalently bonded to six selenium ligands in a trigonal prismatic coordination sphere while each selenium is bonded to three tungsten atoms in a pyramidal geometry. The tungsten–selenium bond has a length of 0.2526 nm, and the distance between selenium atoms is 0.334 nm. It is a well studied example of a layered material. The layers stack together via van der Waals interactions. WSe2 is a very stable semiconductor in the group-VI transition metal dichalcogenides.
Transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD or TMDC) monolayers are atomically thin semiconductors of the type MX2, with M a transition-metal atom (Mo, W, etc.) and X a chalcogen atom (S, Se, or Te). One layer of M atoms is sandwiched between two layers of X atoms. They are part of the large family of so-called 2D materials, named so to emphasize their extraordinary thinness. For example, a MoS2 monolayer is only 6.5 Å thick. The key feature of these materials is the interaction of large atoms in the 2D structure as compared with first-row transition-metal dichalcogenides, e.g., WTe2 exhibits anomalous giant magnetoresistance and superconductivity.
In materials science, the term single-layer materials or 2D materials refers to crystalline solids consisting of a single layer of atoms. These materials are promising for some applications but remain the focus of research. Single-layer materials derived from single elements generally carry the -ene suffix in their names, e.g. graphene. Single-layer materials that are compounds of two or more elements have -ane or -ide suffixes. 2D materials can generally be categorized as either 2D allotropes of various elements or as compounds.
A two-dimensional semiconductor is a type of natural semiconductor with thicknesses on the atomic scale. Geim and Novoselov et al. initiated the field in 2004 when they reported a new semiconducting material graphene, a flat monolayer of carbon atoms arranged in a 2D honeycomb lattice. A 2D monolayer semiconductor is significant because it exhibits stronger piezoelectric coupling than traditionally employed bulk forms. This coupling could enable applications. One research focus is on designing nanoelectronic components by the use of graphene as electrical conductor, hexagonal boron nitride as electrical insulator, and a transition metal dichalcogenide as semiconductor.
Molybdenum(IV) telluride, molybdenum ditelluride or just molybdenum telluride is a compound of molybdenum and tellurium with formula MoTe2, corresponding to a mass percentage of 27.32% molybdenum and 72.68% tellurium.
Platinum diselenide is a transition metal dichalcogenide with the formula PtSe2. It is a layered substance that can be split into layers down to three atoms thick. PtSe2 can behave as a metalloid or as a semiconductor depending on the thickness.
Niobium diselenide or niobium(IV) selenide is a layered transition metal dichalcogenide with formula NbSe2. Niobium diselenide is a lubricant, and a superconductor at temperatures below 7.2 K that exhibit a charge density wave (CDW). NbSe2 crystallizes in several related forms, and can be mechanically exfoliated into monatomic layers, similar to other transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers. Monolayer NbSe2 exhibits very different properties from the bulk material, such as of Ising superconductivity, quantum metallic state, and strong enhancement of the CDW.
Verbeekite is a rare mineral consisting of palladium diselenide PdSe2. This transition metal dichalcogenide has an unusual monoclinic structure, with pairs of selenium atoms existing as dimers forming layers between palladium atom sheets. Unit cell dimensions are: a = 6.710, b = 4.154, c = 8.914 Å, β = 92.42 °, V = 248.24 Å3. Palladium diselenide has five polymorphs. Verbeekite can be synthesised at 11.5 GPa pressure and 1300 °C.
Rhenium diselenide is an inorganic compound with the formula ReSe2. It has a layered structure where atoms are strongly bonded within each layer. The layers are held together by weak Van der Waals bonds, and can be easily peeled off from the bulk material.
Rhenium disulfide is an inorganic compound of rhenium and sulfur with the formula ReS2. It has a layered structure where atoms are strongly bonded within each layer. The layers are held together by weak Van der Waals bonds, and can be easily peeled off from the bulk material.
Niobium disulfide is the chemical compound with the formula NbS2. It is a black layered solid that can be exfoliated into ultrathin grayish sheets similar to other transition metal dichalcogenides. These layers exhibit superconductivity, where the transition temperature increases from ca. 2 to 6 K with the layer thickness increasing from 6 to 12 nm, and then saturates with thickness.