Tao Liang

Bio: Tao Liang is an academic researcher from Zhejiang University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Graphene & Organic solar cell. The author has an hindex of 18, co-authored 32 publications receiving 4051 citations. Previous affiliations of Tao Liang include Center for Excellence in Education.

Antibacterial activity of two-dimensional MoS2 sheets

Abstract: Graphene-like two-dimensional materials (2DMats) show application potential in optoelectronics and biomedicine due to their unique properties. However, environmental and biological influences of these 2DMats remain to be unveiled. Here we reported the antibacterial activity of two-dimensional (2D) chemically exfoliated MoS2 (ce-MoS2) sheets. We found that the antibacterial activity of ce-MoS2 sheets was much more potent than that of the raw MoS2 powders used for the synthesis of ce-MoS2 sheets possibly due to the 2D planar structure (high specific surface area) and higher conductivity of the ce-MoS2. We investigated the antibacterial mechanisms of the ce-MoS2 sheets and proposed their antibacterial pathways. We found that the ce-MoS2 sheets could produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), different from a previous report on graphene-based materials. Particularly, the oxidation capacity of the ce-MoS2 sheets toward glutathione oxidation showed a time and concentration dependent trend, which is fully consistent with the antibacterial behaviour of the ce-MoS2 sheets. The results suggest that antimicrobial behaviors were attributable to both membrane and oxidation stress. The antibacterial pathways include MoS2–bacteria contact induced membrane stress, superoxide anion (O2˙−) induced ROS production by the ce-MoS2, and the ensuing superoxide anion-independent oxidation. Our study thus indicates that the tailoring of the dimension of nanomaterials and their electronic properties would manipulate antibacterial activity.

Au nanoparticles on ultrathin MoS2 sheets for plasmonic organic solar cells

Abstract: A novel hole transport layer (HTL) composed of ultrathin two-dimensional, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) sheets decorated with 20 nm gold nanoparticles (NPs) (MoS2@Au) was developed to make use of plasmonics for organic solar cells (OSCs). Both experimental and theoretical simulations revealed that the device with the MoS2@Au composite as the HTL exhibited enhanced short-circuit photocurrent density (Jsc) and efficiency compared to that with MoS2 alone as the HTL.

Easy incorporation of single-walled carbon nanotubes into two-dimensional MoS2 for high-performance hydrogen evolution

Abstract: The limited intrinsic conductivity of two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 nanosheets compromises its high electrocatalytic performance. In this work, we develop a facile method of simply dispersing MoS2 nanosheets into a water–isopropanol solution of high-conducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) for preparation of MoS2/SWCNT composites. The SWCNTs in the hybrid system serve as effective electron transport channels among 2D MoS2 nanosheets and facilitate charge transfer at the catalyst–electrolyte interface. We investigated the influence of SWCNTs ratios on the catalytic activities and obtained a high-performance hybrid catalyst with a low Tafel slope of 40.82 mV/decade and prominent electrochemical durability. The demonstration of our hybrid electrocatalytic system, with its scalable capacity for facile preparation, provides a new pathway to enhance HER activity.

Van der Waals heterostructures

Abstract: Fabrication techniques developed for graphene research allow the disassembly of many layered crystals (so-called van der Waals materials) into individual atomic planes and their reassembly into designer heterostructures, which reveal new properties and phenomena. Andre Geim and Irina Grigorieva offer a forward-looking review of the potential of layering two-dimensional materials into novel heterostructures held together by weak van der Waals interactions. Dozens of these one-atom- or one-molecule-thick crystals are known. Graphene has already been well studied but others, such as monolayers of hexagonal boron nitride, MoS2, WSe2, graphane, fluorographene, mica and silicene are attracting increasing interest. There are many other monolayers yet to be examined of course, and the possibility of combining graphene with other crystals adds even further options, offering exciting new opportunities for scientific exploration and technological innovation. Research on graphene and other two-dimensional atomic crystals is intense and is likely to remain one of the leading topics in condensed matter physics and materials science for many years. Looking beyond this field, isolated atomic planes can also be reassembled into designer heterostructures made layer by layer in a precisely chosen sequence. The first, already remarkably complex, such heterostructures (often referred to as ‘van der Waals’) have recently been fabricated and investigated, revealing unusual properties and new phenomena. Here we review this emerging research area and identify possible future directions. With steady improvement in fabrication techniques and using graphene’s springboard, van der Waals heterostructures should develop into a large field of their own.

Recent Advances in Ultrathin Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials

Abstract: Since the discovery of mechanically exfoliated graphene in 2004, research on ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials has grown exponentially in the fields of condensed matter physics, material science, chemistry, and nanotechnology. Highlighting their compelling physical, chemical, electronic, and optical properties, as well as their various potential applications, in this Review, we summarize the state-of-art progress on the ultrathin 2D nanomaterials with a particular emphasis on their recent advances. First, we introduce the unique advances on ultrathin 2D nanomaterials, followed by the description of their composition and crystal structures. The assortments of their synthetic methods are then summarized, including insights on their advantages and limitations, alongside some recommendations on suitable characterization techniques. We also discuss in detail the utilization of these ultrathin 2D nanomaterials for wide ranges of potential applications among the electronics/optoelectronics, electrocat...

One-dimensional electrical contact to a two-dimensional material.

Abstract: Heterostructures based on layering of two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene and hexagonal boron nitride represent a new class of electronic devices. Realizing this potential, however, depends critically on the ability to make high-quality electrical contact. Here, we report a contact geometry in which we metalize only the 1D edge of a 2D graphene layer. In addition to outperforming conventional surface contacts, the edge-contact geometry allows a complete separation of the layer assembly and contact metallization processes. In graphene heterostructures, this enables high electronic performance, including low-temperature ballistic transport over distances longer than 15 micrometers, and room-temperature mobility comparable to the theoretical phonon-scattering limit. The edge-contact geometry provides new design possibilities for multilayered structures of complimentary 2D materials.

Defect-rich MoS2 ultrathin nanosheets with additional active edge sites for enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract: Defect-rich MoS2 ultrathin nanosheets are synthesized on a gram scale for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The novel defect-rich structure introduces additional active edge sites into the MoS2 ultrathin nanosheets, which significantly improves their electrocatalytic performance. Low onset overpotential and small Tafel slope, along with large cathodic current density and excellent durability, are all achieved for the novel hydrogen-evolution-reaction electrocatalyst.

Emerging Device Applications for Semiconducting Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

Abstract: With advances in exfoliation and synthetic techniques, atomically thin films of semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides have recently been isolated and characterized. Their two-dimensional structure, coupled with a direct band gap in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, suggests suitability for digital electronics and optoelectronics. Toward that end, several classes of high-performance devices have been reported along with significant progress in understanding their physical properties. Here, we present a review of the architecture, operating principles, and physics of electronic and optoelectronic devices based on ultrathin transition metal dichalcogenide semiconductors. By critically assessing and comparing the performance of these devices with competing technologies, the merits and shortcomings of this emerging class of electronic materials are identified, thereby providing a roadmap for future development.