Toplayer-dependent crystallographic orientation imaging in the bilayer two-dimensional materials with transverse shear microscopy

Nanocontact properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials are closely dependent on their unique nanomechanical systems, such as the number of atomic layers and the supporting substrate. Here, we report a direct observation of toplayer-dependent crystallographic orientation imaging of 2D materials with the transverse shear microscopy (TSM). Three typical nanomechanical systems, MoS₂ on the amorphous SiO₂/Si, graphene on the amorphous SiO₂/Si, and MoS₂ on the crystallized Al₂O₃, have been investigated in detail. This experimental observation reveals that puckering behaviour mainly occurs on the top layer of 2D materials, which is attributed to its direct contact adhesion with the AFM tip. Furthermore, the result of crystallographic orientation imaging of MoS₂/SiO₂/Si and MoS₂/Al₂O₃ indicated that the underlying crystalline substrates almost do not contribute to the puckering effect of 2D materials. Our work directly revealed the top layer dependent puckering properties of 2D material, and demonstrate the general applications of TSM in the bilayer 2D systems.