Investigating thermal properties of 2D non-layered material using a NEMS-based 2-DOF approach towards ultrahigh-performance bolometer

Two-dimensional (2D) non-layered materials in many aspects differ from their layered counterparts, and the exploration of their physical properties has produced many intriguing findings. However, due to challenges in applying existing experimental techniques to such nanoscale samples, their thermal properties have remained largely uncharacterized, hindering further exploration and device applications using this promising material system. Here, we demonstrate an experimental study of thermal conduction in β-In2S3, a typical non-layered 2D material, using a resonant nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) platform. We devise a new two-degrees-of-freedom technique, more responsive and sensitive than Raman spectroscopy, to simultaneously determine both the thermal conductivity to be 3.7 Wm−1K−1 and its interfacial thermal conductance with SiO2 as 6.4 MWm−2K−1. Leveraging such unique thermal properties, we further demonstrate a record-high power-to-frequency responsivity of −447 ppm/μW in β-In2S3 NEMS sensors, the best among drumhead NEMS-based bolometers. Our findings offer an effective approach for studying thermal properties and exploring potential thermal applications of 2D non-layered materials.