Electron accumulation unlocks room-temperature synthesis of Janus 2D semiconductors

Tohoku University

Researchers at Tohoku University have uncovered the long-standing mystery behind the synthesis of Janus two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors, paving the way for more precise manufacturing of materials used in future electronics and clean energy technologies.

Janus 2D materials are named after the two-faced Roman god because their top and bottom surfaces are composed of different elements. This asymmetry creates a strong internal electric field, making them attractive for applications such as photodetectors, solar energy conversion, and hydrogen production.

Despite their potential, Janus 2D sheets have remained difficult to manufacture with precision. Although scientists have been able to create these materials by exposing conventional 2D semiconductors to plasma, the underlying physics was a mystery.

Janus 2D materials are typically synthesized by exposing a conventional 2D semiconductor to plasma, which selectively replaces the top layer of chalcogen atoms with different atoms while leaving the rest of the crystal intact. Still, scientists have long failed to understand the underlying physics behind this process, rendering manufacturing them with precision difficult.

"Atom substitution usually requires immense energy, but this reaction proceeds selectively at room temperature was a puzzle that defied conventional wisdom," said Toshiaki Kato, a professor at Tohoku University's Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR).

Kato and his colleagues used a newly developed in-situ optical-electrical measurement system to monitor structural and electrical changes during plasma treatment. They discovered that electrons from the plasma accumulate at the interface between the 2D material and its substrate. These excess electrons weaken chemical bonds and lower the energy required for atom substitution, enabling the reaction to proceed efficiently at room temperature.

The team also demonstrated that increasing electron accumulation with ultraviolet light accelerated the reaction by more than twofold. The findings were further validated through first-principles calculations, leading to the development of the "Electron Accumulation Model."

The discovery transforms the synthesis of Janus materials from a trial-and-error process into a predictable, design-based approach. "By controlling the state of accumulated charge, we can now design synthesis processes with unprecedented precision," added Kato.

Because the method does not require high temperatures, it could be applied to flexible plastic substrates, supporting the development of wearable electronics, high-efficiency solar cells, and advanced catalysts for hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies.