3D Manipulation of 2D Materials Using Microdome Polymer

We demonstrate 3D mechanical manipulations, such as sliding, rotating, folding, flipping, and exfoliating, of 2D materials using a microdome polymer (MDP) via in situ real-time observation with an optical microscope. A dimethylpolysiloxane (PDMS)-based MDP is covered with a poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) adhesion layer. This PVC-MDP structure enables us to achieve small and adjustable contact areas between the PVC-MDP and a 2D-material flake, which is typically between similar to 10 and similar to 100 mu m in diameter. The adhesion between the PVC polymer and 2D materials is fully tunable with temperature: Strong adhesion at similar to 70 degrees C allows pick-up of the 2D material, and release occurs at similar to 130 degrees C when the adhesion is weak. Thus the PVC-MDP functions as a point-of-contact manipulator for 2D materials, permitting the 3D manipulation of 2D-material flakes. Our method could facilitate the expansion of van der Waals heterostructure fabrication technology and the development of preparation techniques for more complex 3D structures.