Laser THz Emission Spectroscopy of Gas Adsorption-Desorption Dynamics in Tungsten Disulfide Nanosheets

Abstract

Physically adsorbed gas molecules have dramatic effects on the inherent properties of 2D nanomaterials due to their atomic/molecular-level thinness. In this work, we applied laser THz emission spectroscopy to study the gas adsorption-desorption dynamics of tungsten disulfide (WS₂) nanosheets prepared by liquid phase exfoliation technique. We find that in low vacuum conditions, NIR irradiation promotes desorption of O₂ molecules from WS₂ nanosheets. Upon exposure to atmospheric air, results suggest slight photo-oxidation caused by NIR irradiation. Strong photo-oxidation by UV illumination is also confirmed, and we also observed subsequent O₂ desorption from WS₂ nanosheets by NIR irradiation when the UV illumination is turned off. These results are discussed using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, which explains the variation of gas adsorption with the gas pressure. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2015.78]