title: Elasticity of MoS2Sheets by Mechanical Deformation Observed by in Situ Electron Microscopy.
abstract: MoS2has been the focus of extensive research due to its potential applications. More recently, the mechanical properties of MoS2layers have raised interest due to applications in flexible electronics. In this article, we show in situ transmission electron microcsopy (TEM) observation of the mechanical response of a few layers of MoS2to an external load. We used a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tip mounted on a TEM stage to induce deformation on nanosheets of MoS2containing few layers. The results confirm the outstanding mechanical properties on the MoS2. The layers can be bent close to 180°. However, when the tip is retrieved the initial structure is recovered. Evidence indicates that there is a significant bond reconstruction during the bending with an outstanding capability to recover the initial bond structure. The results show that flexibility of three layers of MoS2remains the same as a single layer while increasing the bending modulus by 3 orders of magnitude. Our findings are consistent with theoretical calculations and confirm the great potential of MoS2for applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Texas at San Antonio , One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States.
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Casillas
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Texas at San Antonio , One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States.
authors.forename: Ulises
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Santiago
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Texas at San Antonio , One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States.
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Barrón
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Texas at San Antonio , One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alducin
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Texas at San Antonio , One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States.
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ponce
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Texas at San Antonio , One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: José-Yacamán