1D and 2D nanostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides: Toward functional devices and sustainable technologies

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have gained considerable attention attributable to their intricate multidimensional structures and the structure-dependent unique electronic, mechanical, electrocatalytic, and optical properties, making them potential candidates for various applications. Incorporating nanostructures introduces new properties to TMDs compared to their pristine counterparts, significantly enhancing their performance across various electronic platforms. This review explores the sophisticated one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures of semiconductor TMDs, including nanotubes, periodic arrays of nanorods, nanopores, and nanosheets. Additionally, we have summarized the unique physical and chemical properties modified by nanostructures, which mainly depend on low dimensional scale and size. Special attention is dedicated to exploring advanced nanofabrication techniques, covering both top-down and bottom-up methodologies. The focus extends to elucidate the contributions of low-dimensional TMDs to various applications, including electronics, sensing, catalysis and other pertinent fields, with an emphasis on their enhanced performance. Finally, we provide an overview of the current challenges and future directions of research, addressing issues related to the practical applications of nanostructured semiconductor TMDs.