Evolution of photoluminescence and Raman spectra in laterally gradient composition Mo1− <i>x</i> W <i>x</i> S2 alloys

K Kangchen Deng (Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,) C Chenxu Liu (College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences) Y Yutao Mo (Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,) X Xiance Zheng (Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,) J Jiahao Liao (Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,) Z Zijun Tang (Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,) Q Qiang Shu F Feng Zheng (Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,) Q Qiubao Lin (Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,) K Ke Yang M Ming Yang S Shuqiong Lan (Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,) W Wangying Xu (Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,) H Huili Zhu (Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,) C Changjie Zhou (Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,)

Abstract

Alloying two-dimensional semiconductors holds great promise to tailor electronic and optical properties for device applications. In this study, we report the synthesis of monolayer Mo1−xWxS2 alloys with a laterally gradient composition using an improved one-step chemical vapor deposition method. With increasing W composition, the intensity of exciton peak A exhibits a slow increase followed by a near-exponential enhancement, resulting in a significantly enhanced photoluminescence efficiency and a nonlinear blueshift of the peak. First-principles calculations reveal that this nonlinear blueshift is due to the predominant regulation of the conduction band by the Mo atom over a broad composition range. Furthermore, the asymmetry evolution within the conduction band can be attributed to the Mo-dz2 and W-dz2 orbital hybridizations in Mo1−xWxS2 alloys. At high W composition, the Raman spectra exhibit four peaks. The newly emerged A1g-mixed peak originates from the splitting of A1g peak in monolayer MoS2, corresponding to other out-of-plane vibrational modes of S atoms induced by W atoms. Furthermore, the evolution of Raman spectra is driven by lattice distortions and alterations in atomic vibrational modes. This work unravels the mechanism of composition-gradient-tuned electronic and optical properties of 2D Mo1−xWxS2 alloys, which could facilitate the development of next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 164, Issue 20
Published May 28, 2026
ISSN 0021-9606
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

The Journal of Chemical Physics

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0021-9606 Physical Sciences

Authors (15)

K

Kangchen Deng

Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,

C

Chenxu Liu

College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences

Y

Yutao Mo

Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,

X

Xiance Zheng

Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,

J

Jiahao Liao

Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,

Z

Zijun Tang

Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,

Q

Qiang Shu

F

Feng Zheng

Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,

Q

Qiubao Lin

Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,

K

Ke Yang

M

Ming Yang

S

Shuqiong Lan

Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,

W

Wangying Xu

Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,

H

Huili Zhu

Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,

C

Changjie Zhou

Xiamen Key Laboratory of Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, School of Science, Jimei University 1 , Xiamen 361021,