Aging studies on chemical vapor deposition and mechanically exfoliated molybdenum disulfide flakes heated in ambient air

The structural integrity of atomically thin two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) is crucial for high-temperature applications, including nanoelectronics and optoelectronics. This study explores the structural stability and electrical performance, under extended thermal exposure in air, of MoS₂flakes synthesized via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and mechanical exfoliation. The MoS₂flakes, both CVD-grown and mechanically exfoliated, were subjected to heating at 200 °C with a relative humidity of 60(±5)% for a prolonged period and investigated with atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. This study shows that CVD-grown flakes developed noticeable cracks after prolonged heating, whereas mechanically exfoliated flakes mostly retained their structural integrity. Also, both types of flakes showed a decrease in layer thickness and lateral size over time, with mechanically exfoliated flakes exhibiting a comparatively smaller reduction in substrate coverage area. In addition, MoS₂-based two-terminal devices were subjected to heating at 150 °C for approximately 1100 h, and their electrical characterization revealed a steady rise in current during constant voltage (5 V) conditions. This study enhances our understanding of MoS₂stability and provides guidance for improving the reliability of MoS₂-based devices in high-temperature electronic applications.