Tailoring Superconductivity in Large-Area Single-Layer NbSe2 via Self-Assembled Molecular Adlayers

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) represent an ideal testbench for the search of materials by design, because their optoelectronic properties can be manipulated through surface engineering and molecular functionalization. However, the impact of molecules on intrinsic physical properties of TMDs, such as superconductivity, remains largely unexplored. In this work, the critical temperature (T-C) of large-area NbSe2 monolayers is manipulated, employing ultrathin molecular adlayers. Spectroscopic evidence indicates that aligned molecular dipoles within the self-assembled layers act as a fixed gate terminal, collectively generating a macroscopic electrostatic field on NbSe2. This results in an similar to 55% increase and a 70% decrease in T-C depending on the electric field polarity, which is controlled via molecular selection. The reported functionalization, which improves the air stability of NbSe2, is efficient, practical, up-scalable, and suited to functionalize large-area TMDs. Our results indicate the potential of hybrid 2D materials as a novel platform for tunable superconductivity.

Automated summary

In this study, the critical temperature of large-area NbSe2 monolayers was manipulated using ultrathin molecular adlayers. The aligned molecular dipoles within the self-assembled layers acted as a fixed gate terminal, generating a macroscopic electrostatic field on NbSe2. This manipulation resulted in significant changes in T-C, with the potential to improve air stability of NbSe2.