Research Projects

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are a group of two-dimensional (2D) materials with potential applications in next-generation electronic devices. They exhibit properties such as charge density wave, superconductivity, topological nature, and structural and electronic phase transitions. These materials also show polytypism, with some being metallic and others semiconducting. The proposed research aims to access the metastable states of TMDCs by alloying them with different structures. For example, MoTe₂ grows mainly in the semiconducting 2H form, while its metallic 1T' form is metastable. By alloying it with another TMDC, TiTe₂, the 1T' form of MoTe₂ can be stabilized. Single crystals of these metastable alloys are needed for characterization of their electrical and magnetic properties. Single crystals of these alloys will be grown using the chemical vapour transport (CVT) method, and their properties will be studied using electrical transport and magnetic measurements. These phases will be tested for applications in gas sensing, hydrogen evolution reaction, and energy storage. DFT calculations will guide the search for novel phases and match experimental results with DFT calculations. Nanomaterials of these alloys will be grown using chemical vapour deposition (CVD) technique, and their electrical transport properties will be studied using electron beam lithography. Comparison of these alloys in bulk form and nanomaterials form will reveal how their properties change at the nanoscale. In conclusion, these studies will lead to the discovery of new phases for electronic, energy, and environmental applications, paving the way for better understanding of 2D materials.