Growth of two-dimensional rhenium disulfide (ReS₂) nanosheets with a few layers at low temperature

We present an efficient growth process of rhenium disulfide (ReS₂) nanosheets with a few layers at relatively low temperature under ambient pressure. Highly single-crystalline two-dimensional ReS₂ nanostructures are obtained from a direct chemical reaction between rhenium atoms (Re) originating from the decomposition of ReCl₃ and sulfur atoms (S) on a SiO₂ substrate under helium (He) gas flow at 450 °C. The synthetic approach for the ReS₂ nanosheets exhibits several favorable features: it is simple, cost-effective, and versatile for the development of new functional platforms toward highly single-crystalline 2D layered materials.