Diffusion and Surface Effects on Sodium-Promoted MoS₂ Growth Observed in Operando.

ABSTRACT: Understanding precursor diffusion and substrate interaction is key to advancing chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMCs), yet direct observation has remained a challenge due to limited real-time observation. Here, MoS₂ growth is directly monitored to investigate the kinetics and influence of the precursor/sodium droplet eutectic (SODE). Serving as a catalyst, SODE migrates from the basal plane to the edges and substrate interface, promoting growth and enabling grain translation and rotation. Kinetic analysis shows MoS₂ grows more readily on its own surface than on SiO₂, indicating a thermodynamic-kinetic interplay supported by density functional theory calculations. Notably, larger SODE droplets enhance such grain dynamics,

SUBMITTER: Oh J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12464655 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature