Localized exciton emission from monolayer WS₂ nanoribbon at cryogenic temperature

We conducted low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy experiments on individual WS₂ and MoSe₂ nanoribbons prepared by gold-assisted exfoliation from the slanted surface of bulk crystals with a vicinal and stepwise pattern. The nanoribbons are predominantly monolayer and have widths varying from hundreds of nanometers down to tens of nanometers. Most MoSe₂ NRs display an emission profile similar to 2D excitons of MoSe₂ monolayers. In contrast, WS₂ nanoribbons are characterized with sharp emission peaks that can be attributed to the emission from localized excitons or trions. Moreover a broad low energy emission peak can be also observed from some of the WS₂ nanoribbons, which originates from bilayer regions. In this manuscript, we analyze spectral diffusion behavior along with pump power and temperature dependence of the localized exciton emission peaks, shedding light on potential of TMDC nanoribbons in sensing and opto-electronic applications.