Plasma-optimized contact for high-performance PdSe₂ nanoflake-based field-effect transistors

Low-resistance contact has long been pursued in the two-dimensional (2D) electronic/optoelectronic device community. Still, an economy-efficient method highly compatible with the conventional 2D device fabrication process in laboratory remains to be explored. Herein, we report a plasma-optimized contact strategy for high-performance PdSe₂ nanoflake-based field-effect transistors (FETs). Selenium vacancies created by air plasma can introduce p-type doping in the contact area, thus optimizing the device performance. The effect of plasma treatment on PdSe₂ nanoflake is corroborated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy spectrum, atomic force microscopy, and Kelvin probe force microscopy. The PdSe₂ FET with plasma-optimized contact exhibits significantly improved field-effect carrier mobilities, current on/off ratios, and reduced contact resistance than that without plasma treatment fabricated from the same PdSe₂ nanoflake. Moreover, this strategy has also been proven effective to prepare high-performance FETs based on 2D WSe₂ and MoSe₂ nanoflakes, further demonstrating its application prospect. Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing