Exploring the electron density localization in MoS2 nanoparticles using a localized-electron detector: Unraveling the origin of the one-dimensional metallic sites on MoS2 catalysts

The nature of the electron density localization in two MoS2 nanoclusters containing eight rows of Mo atoms, one with 100% sulphur coverage at the Mo edges (n8_100S) and the other with 50% coverage (n8_50S) was studied using a localized-electron detector function defined in the local moment represent...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP 2018, Vol.20 (31), p.20417-20426
Main Authors: Aray, Yosslen, Antonio Díaz Barrios
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Clusters
Compressive properties
Conductors
Dimers
Electron density
Elongation
Function analysis
Localization
Molybdenum disulfide
Photoelectric emission
Pressure
Sulfur
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Summary:The nature of the electron density localization in two MoS2 nanoclusters containing eight rows of Mo atoms, one with 100% sulphur coverage at the Mo edges (n8_100S) and the other with 50% coverage (n8_50S) was studied using a localized-electron detector function defined in the local moment representation. For n8_100S, pairs of neighboring S2 dimers cover the edges and the electron density localization function analysis shows the presence of a local triangular-shaped ring zone of highly delocalized electrons along these edges, which corresponds to a good metallic conductor zone. The optimized geometry analysis shows that the Mo–S2 bond length is much longer than that of the Mo–S bonds inside the cluster. The removal of one S atom from each sulphur dimer to create a cluster with 50% coverage produces a general compressive stress on the cluster optimized geometry, which shortens the Mo–S bond length, particularly at the edge. The electron density location function analysis shows that close to the cluster corners, a zone of highly delocalized electron zones with a characteristic semiconductor pattern and broken one-dimensional metallic ring was generated. These results suggest that the Mo–S2 bond elongation produced by the sulphur dimers is similar to a MoS2 monolayer under tensile strain and is the origin of the one-dimensional metallic sites at the Mo-edges. In general, the present findings show excellent agreement with the key features of the reported ambient pressure X-ray photoemission spectra and the corresponding simulated scanning tunneling microscopy images.
ISSN:1463-9076
1463-9084
DOI:10.1039/c8cp03387k