Abstract
An understanding of the structural and compositional stability of nanomaterials is significant from both fundamental and technological points of view. Here, we investigate the thermal stability of half-unit-cell thick two-dimensional (2D) Co(9)Se(8) nanosheets that are exceptionally interesting because of their half-metallic ferromagnetic properties. By employing in situ heating in the transmission electron microscope (TEM), we find that the nanosheets show good structural and chemical stability without changes to the cubic crystal structure until sublimation of the nanosheets starts at temperatures between 460 and 520 °C. The real-time observations of the sublimation process show preferential removal at {110} type crystal facets. From an analysis of sublimation rates at various temperatures, we find that the sublimation occurs through noncontinuous and punctuated mass loss at lower temperatures while the sublimation is continuous and uniform at higher temperatures. Our findings provide an understanding of the nanoscale structural and compositional stability of 2D Co(9)Se(8) nanosheets, which is of importance for their reliable application and sustained performance as ultrathin and flexible nanoelectronic devices.