Recent studies have reported the growth of 2D non-centrosymmetric single crystals on substrates with surface steps, but the mechanisms are still unclear. Here, the authors demonstrate a method to grow unidirectionally aligned transition metal dichalcogenide grains on various types of substrates, showing the importance of the simultaneous formation of grain nuclei and substrate steps.
- Peiming Zheng
- Wenya Wei
- Xiaozhi Xu