Progress in Controllable Construction and Energy-Related Applications of MX2/Graphene and MX2/MX2 Heterostructures

Van der Waals heterostructures have attracted attention worldwide owing to their novel properties and diverse potential applications. Particularly, vertically stacked MX2/graphene (MX2/Gr, M=Mo, W; X=S, Se, etc.) and MX2/MX2 heterostructures have demonstrated their superiority in electronics, optoelectronics and some energy-related applications. In this Focus Review, we summarize the recent progress in the controllable construction and characterization of MX2/Gr and MX2/MX2 heterostructures, as well as their multiple applications in energy-related fields. In the first part, we focus on the construction of MX2/Gr heterostructures by the layer-by-layer transfer and the direct chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods, as well as their excellent performance in electronic and optoelectronic devices. We then introduce the direct CVD syntheses, electronic properties and photocatalytic activities of MX2/MX2 heterostructures. Finally, the current challenges and opportunities for such systems are discussed.