Bandgap modulation in the two-dimensional core-shell-structured monolayers of WS2

Abstract

Tungsten disulfide (WS2) has tunable bandgaps, which are required for diverse optoelectronic device applications. Here, we report the bandgap modulation in WS2 monolayers with two-dimensional core-shell structures formed by unique growth mode in chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The core-shell structures in our CVD-grown WS2 monolayers exhibit contrasts in optical images, Raman, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The strain and doping effects in the WS2, introduced by two different growth processes, generate PL peaks at 1.83 eV (at the core domain) and 1.98 eV (at the shell domain), which is distinct from conventional WS2 with a primary PL peak at 2.02 eV. Our density functional theory (DFT) calculations explain the modulation of the optical bandgap in our core-shell-structures WS2 monolayers by the strain, accompanying a direct-to-indirect banegap transition. Thus, the core-shell-structured WS2 monolayers provide a practical method to fabricate lateral heterostructures with different optical bandgaps, which are required for optoelectronic applications.