Transition metal dichalcogenide MXY (M = Mo, W; X, Y = S, Se) monolayer: Structure, fabrication, properties, and applications

Besides the carbon-based materials, the Janus structure, which combines features of multiple Janus transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) monolayers into a single polar material, has increased the interest of researchers because of its unique structure and advanced applications. Monolayer TMDC can sustain substantially greater strain than bulk materials, making them ideal for flexible electrical and optoelectronic devices. Furthermore, TMDCs have recently gained scientific attention for their energy and catalytic uses due to their excellent properties. However, there haven’t been many similar investigations, and the underlying physical pictures are still unclear. This review presents detailed information about the structure, fabrication, and electronic properties of 2-D MXY (M = Mo, W; and X, Y = S, Se) for solar cell, gas sensors, photocatalyst, battery, and FET applications. The review concludes with a discussion of future difficulties and research possibilities for Janus 2-D materials. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]