Unprecedented Superelasticity in Mo ₁₇ O ₄₇ /MoS ₂ Core–Shell Nanowires

Abstract

Abstract Inorganic materials are usually known with high modulus and brittleness. Here the finding of a [001]‐oriented Mo 17 O 47 nanowires (NWs) material is reported with a thin MoS 2 shell that exhibits superelastic deformability superior to the reported inorganic NWs. Three‐point bending tests reveal that the elastic modulus of Mo 17 O 47 crystals in the [001] direction is 103 GPa, consistent with the density functional theory (DFT)‐predicted results. Furthermore, in situ bending tests via scanning electron microscopy, accomplished with finite element simulations, demonstrate that the NWs can sustain bending strains up to 35% repeatedly without showing appreciable residual deformation. First‐principles calculations reveal that this extraordinary superelasticity results from the smooth transformation between the chemical bonding and physical binding (van der Waals) in the [001] direction of Mo 17 O 47 crystal. The remarkable superelasticity of Mo 17 O 47 NWs may offer enormous potential in flexible electronics and photonic devices.