A review of zirconium disulfide: Structural characterization, properties, applications, and prospects of dichalcogenide materials

In recent decades, two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted significant attention for their unique electronic, optical, mechanical, and electrical properties, making them promising for applications in catalysis, solar cells, batteries, and superconductivity. Among 2D materials, transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are noteworthy due to their tunable bandgap, high carrier mobility, and mechanical flexibility. Zirconium disulfide (ZrS2), a member of the TMDC family, stands out for its thermodynamic stability, environmental friendliness, and excellent thermoelectric properties. This paper provides an in-depth discussion of the synthesis of ZrS2 and its related materials, detailing various crystal structures and characterization methods. Additionally, the properties and applications of ZrS2 and its analogs are thoroughly reviewed, with a focus on their potential future developments.