Moderate strain induced indirect bandgap and conduction electrons in MoS2 single layers

Abstract

MoS2 single layers are valued for their sizeable direct bandgap at the heart of the envisaged electronic and optoelectronic applications. Here we experimentally demonstrate that moderate strain values (~2%) can already trigger an indirect bandgap transition and induce a finite charge carrier density in 2D MoS2 layers. A conclusive proof of the direct-to-indirect bandgap transition is provided by directly comparing the electronic and optical bandgaps of strained MoS2 single layers obtained from tunneling spectroscopy and photoluminescence measurements of MoS2 nanobubbles. Upon 2% biaxial tensile strain, the electronic gap becomes significantly smaller (1.45 ± 0.15 eV) than the optical direct gap (1.73 ± 0.1 eV), clearly evidencing a strain-induced direct to indirect bandgap transition. Moreover, the Fermi level can shift inside the conduction band already in moderately strained (~2%) MoS2 single layers conferring them a metallic character.