A novel one-dimensional (1D) inorganic material, Nb2Se9, which can be separated into atomic-level, is synthesized through chemical reaction between Nb and Se sources. Nb2Se9 and Se crystals are formed under an excess Se condition to avoid other phase such as NbSe3, and the residual Se can be removed by heat treatment; thus, high-purity Nb2Se9 crystals can be obtained. The one-atom-thick level Nb2Se9 nanochains are successfully obtained by mechanical exfoliation and dispersion in a solvent. The covalently bonded Nb2Se9 chain, when isolated from its three-dimensional bulk material, is expected to have unique physical properties based on electron confinement in the 1D chain structure and the absence of dangling bonds. In addition, it has excellent thermal stability (up to 500 °C) and can be widely used in various fields.
S.O. and S.C. contributed equally to this work. This research was supported by Nano Material Technology Development Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by Ministry of Science and ICT (2017M3A7B8065561). This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIP) (No. NRF-2017R1A4A1015770).
