Direct observation of cation diffusion driven surface reconstruction at van der Waals gaps.

ABSTRACT: Weak interlayer van der Waals (vdW) bonding has significant impact on the surface/interface structure, electronic properties, and transport properties of vdW layered materials. Unraveling the complex atomistic dynamics and structural evolution at vdW surfaces is therefore critical for the design and synthesis of the next-generation vdW layered materials. Here, we show that Ge/Bi cation diffusion along the vdW gap in layered GeBi₂Te₄ (GBT) can be directly observed using in situ heating scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The cation concentration variation during diffusion was correlated with the local Te₆ octahedron distortion based on a quantitative analysis of the atomic column intensity and position in time-elapsed STEM images. The in-plane

SUBMITTER: Cui W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9894939 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature