Honors Theses and Capstones

Date Completed

Summer 2026

Abstract

This work investigated a fabrication strategy for inducing localized nanoscale deformation and strain in transferred MoS2 flakes using gold nanoparticle-coated substrates as a potential platform for strain engineering in two-dimensional materials. Substrate type, nanoparticle concentration, drying conditions, cleaning procedures, and flake transfer methods were investigated using optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Au-coated SiO2 substrates produced improved nanoparticle coverage compared to bare SiO2, while passive air drying yielded the most favorable nanoparticle distributions. Salt crystals introduced during passive drying were successfully removed with a gentle deionized water rinse, and a 50% diluted gold nanoparticle suspension provided improved particle spacing and reduced clustering. Despite challenges associated with MoS2 transfer, successful transfers were achieved, and AFM demonstrated that the flakes conformed to localized features of the nanoparticle-modified surface. Geometric analysis of AFM height profiles across three representative features produced estimated localized tensile strains ranging from approximately 0.1% to 1.0%. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using nanoparticle-modified substrates to generate localized deformation and estimated strain in transferred two-dimensional materials and establish a foundation for future studies of strain-sensitive systems, including charge density wave materials.

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

First Advisor

Shawna Hollen

College or School

CEPS

Department or Program

Physics

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

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