Unveiling Boundary-Localized Interfacial Interactions in Temperature-Controlled Au-Assisted Exfoliation of MoS₂ Monolayers.

ABSTRACT: Gold-assisted exfoliation is an effective approach to obtain clean and large-area monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides, yet the microscopic evolution of interfacial adhesion remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate temperature-controlled exfoliation of MoS₂ between 30 and 170 °C. Based on optical microscopy image analysis, mild heating slightly improves the exfoliation yield, which is associated with the release of interfacial contaminants and trapped gases-these substances enhance the adhesion between gold and molybdenum disulfide (Au-MoS₂). Unexpectedly, as revealed by AFM, SEM-EDS, and Raman analyses, parts of the Au film start to peel off from the underlying Ti adhesion layer at approximately 100 °C. This Au film detachment, resulting from the sur

SUBMITTER: Dai C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12693429 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature