General Strategy for Zero-Valent Intercalation into Two-Dimensional Layered Nanomaterials

We demonstrate the complete tunability of a general strategy to intercalate zero-valent atoms into two-dimensional (2D) layered materials. A chemical method was used to intercalate high densities of copper (up to 55 atomic percent) into synthesized nanomaterials such as MoO3, Sb2Te3, In2Se3, and GaSe. These materials were characterized using TEM, EDX, electron diffraction, XRD, Raman, EELS, and XPS to observe the effects of intercalation, determine the concentration of copper, and confirm the zero-valent nature of the intercalant as well as unchanged structure of the host material. This technique reveals the power and potential to observe unique chemical and physical phenomena and to control such properties for particular applications.