Passivation of Layered Gallium Telluride by Double Encapsulation with Graphene

Elisha Mercado*, Yan Zhou, Yong Xie, Qinghua Zhao, Hui Cai, Bin Chen, Wanqi Jie, Sefaattin Tongay, Tao Wang, Martin Kuball

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Layered semiconductor gallium telluride (GaTe) undergoes a rapid structural transition to a degraded phase in ambient conditions, limiting its utility in devices such as optical switches. In this work, we demonstrate that the degradation process in GaTe flakes can be slowed down dramatically via encapsulation with graphene. Through examining Raman signatures of degradation, we show that the choice of substrate significantly impacts the degradation rate and that the process is accelerated by the transfer of GaTe to hydrophilic substrates such as SiO2/Si. We find that double encapsulation with both top and bottom graphene layers can extend the lifetime of the material for several weeks. The photoresponse of flakes encapsulated in this way is only reduced by 17.6 ± 0.4% after 2 weeks, whereas unencapsulated flakes display no response after this time. Our results demonstrate the potential for alternative, van der Waals material-based passivation strategies in unstable layered materials and highlight the need for careful selection of substrates for 2D electronic devices.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)18002-18010
Number of pages9
JournalACS Omega
Volume4
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 5 2019

Funding

E.M. acknowledges funding and support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centre for Doctoral Training in Condensed Matter Physics (CDT-CMP), grant no. EP/L015544/1. E.M. acknowledges funding and support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centre for Doctoral Training in Condensed Matter Physics (CDT-CMP), grant no. EP/L015544/1.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemical Engineering
  • General Chemistry

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