Optimisation of 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Materials for Printed Electronics

A current lack of field effect in printed electronic devices made from a film of electrochemically exfoliated 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) has been observed. Exactly why we are seeing this lack of field effect is unknown, but a small field effect is seen when the device is built around a single flake, meaning that the effect is most likely due to the flake/flake contacts within the film. There are many possible issues regarding the flake/flake contacts, from the number density of flakes per unit area being too low and resulting in an open circuit, to surface passivation of the flakes by solvent or gas reducing the quality of the contact. During my thesis I will attempt to determine experimentally the cause of the lack of field effect, and using my new understanding, attempt to produce an ink which can be used to easily print a FET channel with good device performance.