The anisotropic interlayer interaction at MoS₂/black phosphorous interface

The isolation of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials has inspired tremendous efforts across the globe to integrated distinct 2D materials into van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures[1]. Engineering the physical properties of layered materials through vdW interlayer interaction gives a rise to a variety of fascinating physical behaviors or enhances device performances that are not possible to realize with singular 2D materials[2]. At the interface of isotropic MoS₂ and anisotropic black phosphorous (BP), we discovered the anisotropic interlayer interaction via polarized Raman spectroscopy. The anisotropic interlayer interaction enables the isotropic MoS₂ exhibiting anisotropic Raman signals, in accordance with angle-dependent Raman spectra of anisotropic BP. The anisotropic interlayer interaction might provide a new route to realize MoS₂-based angle dependent photonic, electronic and thermoelectric devices.

[1] Geim, A. K., & Grigorieva, I. V. (2013). Van der Waals heterostructures. Nature, 499(7459), 419-425.
[2] Novoselov, K. S., Mishchenko, A., Carvalho, A., & Neto, A. C. (2016). 2D materials and van der Waals heterostructures. Science, 353(6298), aac9439.