Two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) atomic layers have a strong potential to be used as 2D electronic sensor components. However, intrinsic synthesis challenges have made this task difficult. In addition, the detection mechanisms for gas molecules are not fully understood. Here, we report a high-performance gas sensor constructed using atomic-layered MoS₂ synthesised by chemical vapour deposition (CVD). A highly sensitive and selective gas sensor based on the CVD-synthesised MoS₂ was developed. In situ photoluminescence characterisation revealed the charge transfer mechanism between the gas molecules and MoS₂, which was validated by theoretical calculations. First-principles density functional theory calculations indicated that NO₂ and NH₃ molecules have negative adsorption energies (i.e., the adsorption processes are exothermic). Thus, NO₂ and NH₃ molecules are likely to adsorb onto the surface of the MoS₂. The in situ PL characterisation of the changes in the peaks corresponding to charged trions and neutral excitons via gas adsorption processes was used to elucidate the mechanisms of charge transfer between the MoS₂ and the gas molecules.

Transparent electrodes have been widely used in electronic devices such as solar cells, displays and touch screens. Highly flexible transparent electrodes are especially desired for the development of next generation flexible electronic devices. Although indium tin oxide (ITO) is the most commonly used material for the fabrication of transparent electrodes, its brittleness and growing cost limit its utility for flexible electronic devices. Therefore, the need for new transparent conductive materials with superior mechanical properties is clear and urgent. Ag nanowire (AgNW) has been attracting increasing attention because of its effective combination of electrical and optical properties. However, it still suffers from several drawbacks, including large surface roughness, instability against oxidation and moisture and poor adhesion to substrates. These issues need to be addressed before wide spread use of metallic NW as transparent electrodes can be realized. In this study, we demonstrated the fabrication of a flexible transparent electrode with superior mechanical, electrical and optical properties by embedding a AgNW film into a transparent polymer matrix. This technique can produce electrodes with an ultrasmooth and extremely deformable transparent electrode that have sheet resistance and transmittance comparable to those of an ITO electrode.

Plasmonic nanostructures strongly localize electric fields on their surfaces via the collective oscillations of conducting electrons under stimulation by incident light at a certain wavelength. Molecules adsorbed onto the surfaces of plasmonic structures experience a strongly enhanced electric field due to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), which amplifies the Raman scattering signal obtained from these adsorbed molecules. This phenomenon is referred to as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Because Raman spectra serve as molecular fingerprints, SERS has been intensively studied for its ability to facilely detect molecules and provide a chemical analysis of a solution. Further enhancements in the Raman intensity and therefore higher sensitivity in SERS-based molecular analysis have been achieved by designing plasmonic nanostructures with a controlled size, shape, composition, and arrangement. This review paper focuses on the current state of the art in the fabrication of SERS-active substrates and their use as chemical and biosensors. Starting with a brief description of the basic principles underlying LSPR and SERS, we discuss three distinct nanofabrication methods, including the bottom-up assembly of nanoparticles, top-down nanolithography, and lithography-free random nanoarray formation. Finally, typical applications of SERS-based sensors are discussed, along with their perspectives and challenges.