Nanoscale superlattices represent a compelling platform for designed materials as the specific identity and spatial arrangement of constituent layers can lead to tunable properties. A number of kinetically-stabilized layered chalcogenide nanocomposites have taken inspiration from misfit compounds, a thermodynamically stable class of materials formed of van der Waals-bonded (vdW) layers. This class of vdW heterostructure superlattices have been reported in telluride and selenide chemistries, but have not yet been extended to sulfides. Here we present SnS−TaS2 nanoscale superlattices with tunable layer architecture. Thin films are prepared from layered amorphous precursors and deposited to mimic the targeted superlattice; subsequent low temperature annealing activates self-assembly into designed nanocomposites. Structure and composition for materials are investigated that span stacking sequences between [(SnS)1+δ]3(TaS2)1 and (SnS)7(TaS2)1 using x-ray diffraction, x-ray fluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy. A graded deposition approach is implemented to stabilize heterostructures of multiple stacking sequences with a single preparation. Precise control over the architecture of such nanoscale superlattices is a critical path towards controlling the properties of quantum materials and constituent devices.
@article{arxiv.2004.06862,
title = {Synthesis of tunable $SnS-TaS_2$ nanoscale superlattices},
author = {Dennice M. Roberts and Dylan Bardgett and John D. Perkins and Brian P. Gorman and Andriy Zakutayev and Sage R. Bauers},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2004.06862},
year = {2020}
}