Stacking-Engineered Heterostructures in Transition Metal Dichalcogenides.

Abstract

The layer-by-layer assembly of 2D transition metal dichalcogenide monolayer blocks to form a 3D stack, with a precisely chosen sequence/angle, is the newest development for these materials. In this way, one can create "van der Waals heterostructures (HSs)," opening up a new realm of materials engineering and novel devices with designed functionalities. Herein, a detailed systematic review of transition metal dichalcogenide stacking-engineered heterostructures, from controllable fabrication to typical characterization, and stacking-correlated physical behaviors is presented. Furthermore, recent advances in stacking design, such as stacking sequence, twist angles, and moiré superlattice heterojunctions, are also comprehensively summarized. Finally, the remaining challenges and possible strategies for using stacking engineering to tune the properties of 2D materials are also outlined.