Mechanical Properties of Molybdenum Disulfide and the Effect of Doping: An in Situ TEM Study

Abstract

Direct observations on nanopillars composed of molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2) and chromium-doped MoS 2 and their response to compressive stress have been made. Time-resolved transmission electron microscopy (TEM) during compression of the submicrometer diameter pillars of MoS 2 - and Cr-doped MoS 2 (Cr: 0, 10, and 50 at %) allow the deformation process of the material to be observed and can be directly correlated with mechanical response to applied load. The addition of chromium to the MoS 2 changed the failure mode from plastic deformation to catastrophic brittle fracture, an effect that was more pronounced as chromium content increased.