Lab exchange grant: Investigating sputtered 2D materials with applications in the future of sensors, batteries, and hydrogen fuel

An optical microscope image of thin-film, sputtered MoS2 experiencing strain, undergoing Raman spectrometry.

Emilia Russell PhD student at Durham University was awarded an M4QN laboratory exchange award to visit the 2D Materials and Devices group, run by Prof Manish Chhowalla and Dr Yan Wang at the University of Cambridge. The visit took place from 3rd-23rd February 2025.

The purpose of the visit

The visit primarily focused on Emilia learning about the suite of materials characterisation equipment the Cambridge group has access to, in order to improve both her practical skills and her theoretical understanding of the structure of her sputtered 2D materials.

Emilia writes “The most significant results were garnered using the group’s Raman spectrometer, x-ray diffractometer (xrd) and x-ray spectrometer (xps), which gave me an invaluable insight into the effects of heating and power during my deposition, alongside informing me how crystalline my deposited film was. This abundance of previously-unknown information about my material, paired with discussions with the impressively well-informed group helped me to comprehend concepts that I had not even known I didn’t know. It was also hugely enjoyable for me to work in a group and take part in group meetings, something I do not have in Durham, which enriched my daily work life and helped give me ideas for future work and collaborations.”

Emilia worked closely with the group to shadow their crystal growth and transfer process; to inform the methods she uses in Durham, and to produce a number of samples for her to take back to Durham. By combining the Cambridge groups fabrication and materials science knowledge, and Emilia’s functional microscopy knowledge, they have co-produced samples of 2D MoS2 with varying grain boundaries and contact interfaces, for Emilia to investigate the charge transport through.

Benefits to the UK materials and quantum community

This visit has cemented a relationship between Durham University Engineering and University of Cambridge Materials Sciences departments, which not only strengthens the quantum network across the country, it also resulted in a fully functional 2D materials synthesis and testing pipeline. This work to thoroughly characterise 2D semiconductors, fabricated through a wide range of methods, greatly improves the industry readiness of these quantum materials and enables them to be used in a huge number of new technologies, such as sensors, batteries, and hydrogen fuels, which otherwise would have been impossible.

Emilia writes “I believe that the cross-departmental collaboration between materials science and electronic engineering has resulted in an unmediated exchange of insights and methodologies which aligns directly with the M4QN initiative’s aim to foster innovation and place the UK at the forefront of quantum materials research.”

Visit outcomes

Emilia writes “This visit has not only provided me with invaluable results needed to form a number of publications, which will both strengthen my thesis, and improve my reputability as a leading researcher in the electronic characterisation of quantum semiconductors, it has also resulted in discussions of a fellowship application to work with this group next year, once I have submitted my thesis. Furthermore, it has improved my research communication skills, through discussions with the other researchers and the group meetings. I feel incredibly grateful for this opportunity as it has been the launchpad I needed to continue my career in academia once I have finished my PhD and has been the nascence of a number of close collaborations which I am sure to use for the rest of my time in academia.”