Direct Observation of Molybdenum Disulfide, MoS sub(2), Domains by Using a Liquid Crystalline Texture Method

Because the properties of molybdenum disulfide (MoS sub(2)) are strongly influenced by the sizes and boundaries of its domains, the direct visualization of large-area MoS sub(2) domains is one of the most important challenges in MoS sub(2) research. In the current study, we developed a simple and rapid method to observe and determine the boundaries of MoS sub(2) domains. The technique, which depends on observations of nematic liquid crystal textures on the MoS sub(2) surface, does not damage the sample and is not limited by domain size. Thus, this approach should significantly aid not only efforts aimed at gaining an understanding of the relationships between grain boundaries and properties of MoS sub(2) but also those focusing on how domain sizes are controlled during large-area synthesis Keywords: MoS sub(2); 2D materials; domain; boundaries; liquid crystals; anchoring