Interfacial coupling enabled strong, asymmetric, and tunable thermoelectricity at graphene/MoS2 heterostructures

M Mingshun Qi (Center on Nanoenergy Research, Carbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development Institute, School of Physical Science & Technology, Guangxi University 1 , Nanning 530004,) X Xu Han Y Yongpeng Wu (Center on Nanoenergy Research, Carbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development Institute, School of Physical Science & Technology, Guangxi University 1 , Nanning 530004,) J Jinkai Huo (School of Optoelectronic Engineering and Instrumentation Science, Dalian University of Technology 2 , Dalian 116024,) H Haichao Pan (Center on Nanoenergy Research, Carbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development Institute, School of Physical Science & Technology, Guangxi University 1 , Nanning 530004,) X Xing Li (Interdisciplinary Science Center, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biodiversity Conservation and Integrated Pest Management, Institute of Zoology) W Wenjie Sun W Wenyuan Qiu (Center on Nanoenergy Research, Carbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development Institute, School of Physical Science & Technology, Guangxi University 1 , Nanning 530004,) D Dawei Li C Chenghao Deng (Center on Nanoenergy Research, Carbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development Institute, School of Physical Science & Technology, Guangxi University 1 , Nanning 530004,)

Abstract

A comprehensive understanding of interfacial physics including electron/phonon transport and coupling at graphene/MoS2 heterojunctions is critical for thermoelectric conversion and sensing, yet remains insufficiently explored. Here, we comprehensively investigate its electrical transport, thermal transport, and thermoelectric properties using a well-designed micro-heater device and a photo-thermal Raman technique. Electrical transport measurements reveal opposite resistance dependence on gate voltage in individual MoS2 and graphene/MoS2 regions, based on which a low-voltage 0–1 logic device is demonstrated. The graphene/MoS2 heterojunction exhibits strong (maximum 1.03 mV/K in our experiment) and asymmetric thermoelectric characteristics, which are attributed to a synergistic mechanism involving interface energy filtering and graphene-doping. The thermoelectric response can be effectively tuned through modulation of interfacial Schottky barrier and electrical coupling. Additionally, we observe electrically tunable interfacial thermal conductance at the interface, which may arise from combined phonon coupling and electron–phonon interaction. Our study provides a promising platform for developing intelligent thermoelectric devices applications.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 128, Issue 25
Published June 22, 2026
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

M

Mingshun Qi

Center on Nanoenergy Research, Carbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development Institute, School of Physical Science & Technology, Guangxi University 1 , Nanning 530004,

X

Xu Han

Y

Yongpeng Wu

Center on Nanoenergy Research, Carbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development Institute, School of Physical Science & Technology, Guangxi University 1 , Nanning 530004,

J

Jinkai Huo

School of Optoelectronic Engineering and Instrumentation Science, Dalian University of Technology 2 , Dalian 116024,

H

Haichao Pan

Center on Nanoenergy Research, Carbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development Institute, School of Physical Science & Technology, Guangxi University 1 , Nanning 530004,

X

Xing Li

Interdisciplinary Science Center, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biodiversity Conservation and Integrated Pest Management, Institute of Zoology

W

Wenjie Sun

W

Wenyuan Qiu

Center on Nanoenergy Research, Carbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development Institute, School of Physical Science & Technology, Guangxi University 1 , Nanning 530004,

D

Dawei Li

C

Chenghao Deng

Center on Nanoenergy Research, Carbon Peak and Neutrality Science and Technology Development Institute, School of Physical Science & Technology, Guangxi University 1 , Nanning 530004,