Unraveling the Decomposition Pathways of LaS-TaS₂ Misfit-Layered Compound Nanostructures under Extreme Electrical Currents by In Situ TEM.

ABSTRACT: Nanostructures of the misfit-layered compound (MLC) LaS-TaS₂ are brought to breakdown by application of high electrical currents within a transmission electron microscope. Imaging, diffraction, and spectroscopy techniques are employed to study their decomposition process and the resulting structures. The main decomposition route is the breakdown of the TaS₂ layers, which induces the formation of metallic Ta on the surface of the nanostructures when the critical current density is surpassed. This observation confirms the assumption that TaS₂ is the current-carrying layer in these types of MLCs. The different behavior of tubular 1D and 2D structures is revealed, and a metallic glass phase made of La, Ta, and S could be observed upon exceeding a threshold curr

SUBMITTER: Hettler S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12319908 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature