Inorganic compounds having the formula LiMP.sub.2Q.sub.6, where M is Ga, In, Bi, Sb, As, Al, or a combination thereof, and Q is S and/or Se, are provided. Methods and devices for detecting incident neutrons and alpha-particles using the compounds are also provided. For thermal neutron detection applications, the compounds can be enriched with lithium-6 isotope (.sup.6Li) to enhance their neutron detecting capabilities.

An electrically conductive thin film including: a material including a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 and having a layered crystal structure,
Me.sub.mA.sub.a  Chemical Formula 1
wherein Me is Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge, Sn, A is S, Se, Te, or a combination thereof, and m and a each are independently a number selected so that the compound of Chemical Formula 1 is neutral; and a dopant disposed in the compound of Chemical Formula 1, wherein the dopant is a metal dopant that is different from Me and has an oxidation state which is greater than an oxidation state of Me, a non-metal dopant having a greater number of valence electrons than a number of valence electrons of A in Chemical Formula 1, or a combination thereof, and wherein the compound of Chemical Formula 1 includes a chemical bond which includes a valence electron of an s orbital of Me.

A method of synthesis of two-dimensional metal chalcogenide monolayers, such as WSe.sub.2 and MoSe.sub.2, is based on a chemical vapor deposition approach that uses H.sub.2Se or alkyl or aryl selenide precursors to form a reactive gas. The gaseous selenium precursor may be introduced into a tube furnace containing a metal precursor at a selected temperature, wherein the selenium and metal precursors react to form metal chalcogenide monolayers.

A method of synthesis of two-dimensional metal chalcogenide monolayers, such as WSe.sub.2 and MoSe.sub.2, is based on a chemical vapor deposition approach that uses H.sub.2Se or alkyl or aryl selenide precursors to form a reactive gas. The gaseous selenium precursor may be introduced into a tube furnace containing a metal precursor at a selected temperature, wherein the selenium and metal precursors react to form metal chalcogenide monolayers.

A nanocrystal capable of light emission includes a nanoparticle having photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 30%.

A nanocrystal capable of light emission includes a nanoparticle having photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 30%.

Single crystals of the new semiconducting oxychalcogenide phase were synthesized using a novel crystal growth method. The crystals had low defects and homogeneous composition as characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Heat capacity and resistivity measurements were in agreement with the calculated band structure calculations indicating semiconductivity, with a band gap of about 3 eV.

Single crystals of the new semiconducting oxychalcogenide phase were synthesized using a novel crystal growth method. The crystals had low defects and homogeneous composition as characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Heat capacity and resistivity measurements were in agreement with the calculated band structure calculations indicating semiconductivity, with a band gap of about 3 eV.

A chalcogen-containing compound of the following Chemical Formula 1, which may have decreased thermal conductivity and improved power factor in the low temperature region, and thus exhibit an excellent thermoelectric figure of merit, a method for preparing the same, and a thermoelectric element including the same:
V.sub.1Sn.sub.a−xIn.sub.xSb.sub.2Te.sub.a+3  [Chemical Formula 1]
wherein V, a and x are as defined in the specification.

A chalcogen-containing compound of the following Chemical Formula 1, which may have decreased thermal conductivity and improved power factor in the low temperature region, and thus exhibit an excellent thermoelectric figure of merit, a method for preparing the same, and a thermoelectric element including the same:
V.sub.1Sn.sub.a−xIn.sub.xSb.sub.2Te.sub.a+3  [Chemical Formula 1]
wherein V, a and x are as defined in the specification.