Spontaneous Formation of 1D Pattern in Monolayer VSe₂ with Dispersive Adsorption of Pt Atoms for HER Catalysis

Abstract

Creation of functional patterns in two-dimensional (2D) materials provides opportunities to extend their potential for applications. Transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are suitable 2D materials for pattern generation because of properties including alterable polymorphic phases, easy chalcogen-vacancy formation, metal-atom insertion, and alloying. Such patterning can be used for selective functionalization. Here we report the spontaneous formation of long-range, well-ordered 1D patterns in monolayer vanadium diselenide (VSe₂) by a single annealing stage during growth. Atomic-resolution images in real space combined with density-functional-theory (DFT) calculations reveal the 1D features of patterned VSe₂. Further experimental characterization of the intermediate states in the growth process confirm the spontaneous formation of the 1D pattern by annealing-induced Se-deficient linear defects. The 1D pattern can be reversibly transformed to homogenous VSe₂ monolayer by reintroducing Se atoms. Moreover, additional experiments demonstrate that a dispersive deposition of Pt atoms along the 1D structures of patterned VSe₂ is achieved, while DFT calculations find that their catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is as good as that of Pt surfaces. The formation of long-range, well-ordered 1D patterns not only demonstrates an effective way of dimension modulation in 2D materials but also enriches the potential of intrinsically patterned 2D materials for promising catalytic activities.