Bulk TMDCs: Review of structure and properties

Abstract

Bulk (or 3D) TMDCs have been known and used for a very long time, butmost of the older applications (i.e. as solid lubricants) were related to their unique mechanical properties determined by the presence of van derWaals bonding between the layers. It is only recently, following the success of graphene, that TMDCs moved to the forefront of solid state research, with main interest being concentrated on mono and few-layer structures. At the same time, the interest to 3D TMDCs also acquired momentum. In this chapter we describe the structure and properties of 3D TMDCs, placing accent on (i) those issue that are important to understand 2D TMDCs and (ii) the latest results that were not reviewed previously.