Van der Waals pressure and its effect on trapped interlayer molecules

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12168
• Publication Date: 2016-07-07T09:24:39Z
• Authors: K. S. Vasu; E. Prestat; J. Abraham; J. Dix; R. J. Kashtiban; J. Beheshtian; J. Sloan; P. Carbone; M. Neek-Amal; S. J. Haigh; A. K. Geim; R. R. Nair
• Keywords: Nanometre; Ambient pressure

Abstract Van der Waals assembly of two-dimensional crystals continue attract intense interest due to the prospect designing novel materials with on-demand properties. One unique features this technology is possibility trapping molecules between crystals. The trapped are predicted experience pressures as high 1 GPa. Here we report measurements interfacial pressure by capturing pressure-sensitive and studying their structural conformational changes. Pressures 1.2±0.3 GPa found using Raman spectrometry for molecular layers 1-nm in thickness. We further show that can induce chemical reactions, several salts react water at room temperature, leading corresponding oxides. This its effect should be taken into account studies van heterostructures also exploited modify confined atomic interfaces.