Graphene-Supported 2D transition metal dichalcogenide van der waals heterostructures

Abstract Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have recently gained interest due to their unique properties which their bulk counterparts do not exhibit. Several 2D nanomaterials have been developed till date, but particularly, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and graphene have attracted a considerable worldwide research interest due to their excellent properties. The possibility of forming 2D van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures have opened a new way for combining the meritorious properties of graphene and TMDs in a single unit. Due to alteration of Fermi level and Schottky barrier height, the 2D layered graphene/TMD vdW heterostructures could give rise to new properties which are not indigenous either to graphene or TMDs. In this article, we have focused on the recent advances in understanding the characteristics and behavior of 2D layered graphene/TMD heterostructures in various applications. In this context, we firstly discuss the electron transfer characteristics at the interfaces of graphene and TMD heterostructures. Tunable properties of these heterostructures by considering their different architectures are then evaluated. Thirdly, overview approaches in the synthesis of these heterostructures are illustrated. After that, the current conditions of applications of these heterostructures in energy storage, energy conversion, optoelectronic and sensing devices are discussed. The final section remarks the challenges and prospects of 2D vdW graphene and TMD heterostructures.