Atomic-scale mechanisms on the stepwise growth of Mo x W 1- x S 2 into hexagonal flakes.

The systematic in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis suggests three stepwise formation stages during the growth of Mo x W 1- x S 2 hexagonal flakes, which are the initial assembly of precursors into vertical structures, subsequent transition into horizontal structures, and final surface relaxing and faceting into hexagonal flakes.