Haimei Zheng1,2
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory1,University of California, Berkeley2
Haimei Zheng1,2
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory1,University of California, Berkeley2
Two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted significant interests due to the large surface-to-volume ratio, electron confinement, and various surface-enhanced applications. Although significant advances have been made in the synthesis of 2D nanomaterials, an understanding of the formation mechanisms is crucial for the future success in design, synthesis, and applications of novel 2D materials. We use liquid cell Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to study model 2D systems at the atomic resolution. Our direct observations allow to uncover the nucleation, formation of intermediates, and dynamic structural evolution leading to 2D nanostructures. Assisted with theoretical calculation, the underlying mechanisms have been revealed. In this talk, progress made in our recent in situ studies of 2D nanomaterials formation at the atomic level will be presented, including the growth of 2D nanosheet with nanoclusters as the building blocks, and the dynamic formation of 2D molecular crystals.