Phase Transitions and Water Splitting Applications of 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides and Metal Phosphorous Trichalcogenides.

2D layered materials turn out to be the most attractive hotspot in materials for their unique physical and chemical properties. A special class of 2D layered material refers to materials exhibiting phase transition based on environment variables. Among these materials, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) act as a promising alternative for their unique combination of atomic-scale thickness, direct bandgap, significant spin-orbit coupling and prominent electronic and mechanical properties, enabling them to be applied for fundamental studies as catalyst materials. Metal phosphorous trichalcogenides (MPTs), as another potential catalytic 2D phase transition material, have been employed for their unusual intercalation behavior and electrochemical properties, which act as a secondary electrode in lithium batteries. The preparation of 2D TMD and MPT materials has been extensively conducted by engineering their intrinsic structures at the atomic scale. In this study, advanced synthesis methods of preparing 2D TMD and MPT materials are tested, and their properties are investigated, with stress placed on their phase transition. The surge of this type of report is associated with water-splitting catalysis and other catalytic purposes. This study aims to be a guideline to explore the mentioned 2D TMD and MPT materials for their catalytic applications.