Progress in single source precursors for layered 2D metal chalcogenide thin films and nanomaterials

Layered 2D nanomaterials are important semiconductors that have applications in diverse technologies such as optoelectronic, electrical, photoelectric and thermoelectric devices. However, the synthesis of phase and shape controlled 2D nanomaterials or thin films, with high reproducibility and scalability, require optimized conditions. The use of carefully designed precursors can be a cost effective and reproducible route to the synthesis of such materials. Herein, the use of single source precursors have been reviewed in this chapter, which have been used so far, to prepare layered 2D metal chalcogenide nanomaterials and/or thin films by different routes.