In the development of next-generation electronics and energy devices, intercalation compounds of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are gaining attention for their unique properties that result from synergistic interactions between guest species and host materials. This talk will highlight a versatile method for preparing intercalated TMDCs in a thin-film morphology. Using this approach, we have successfully prepared a range of organic and organometallic TMDC intercalation compounds. This method allows us to easily prepare functional electrodes of these materials. Focusing on metallocene intercalated samples, the apparent redox potential of the intercalated metallocene shifts to a more negative potential and depends on the concentration and hydrophilicity of the electrolyte cation. We attribute this phenomenon to the charge transfer process that involves cation motion, and that requires additional energy to transport the cation from the bulk electrolyte into the van der Waals gap of the host material. Our preliminary results also show that metallocene intercalation impacts the electronic structure of the host material and consequently the HER activity of the intercalated TMDC.

Intercalation as a mechanism for controlling properties in transition metal dichalcogenide materials

ACS Spring 2022

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