Covalent functionalization of molybdenum disulfide by chemically activated diazonium salts

Covalent functionalization is one of the most efficient ways to tune the properties of layered materials in a highly controlled manner. However, molecular chemisorption on semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides remains a delicate task due to the inertness of their surface. Here we perform covalent modification of bulk and single layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) using chemical activation of diazonium salts. A high level of control over the grafting density and yield on MoS2 basal plane can be achieved by this approach. Using scanning probe microscopies and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy we prove the covalent functionalization of MoS2.

Automated summary

In this study, covalent functionalization of MoS2 was achieved through chemical activation, allowing for high level control over the grafting density and yield on the basal plane. The covalent modification of MoS2 was proven using scanning probe microscopies and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.