Traces of charge density waves in NbS 2
Among transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD), NbS 2 is often considered as the archetypal compound that does not have a charge density wave (CDW) in any of its polytypes. By comparison, close isoelectronic compounds such as NbSe 2 , TaS 2 , and TaSe 2 all have CDW in at least one polytype. Here we report traces of CDW in the 2H polytype of NbS 2 , using diffuse x-ray scattering measurements at 77 K and room temperature. We observe 12 extremely weak satellite peaks located at ±13.9° from → a* and → b* around each Bragg peak in the (h,k,0) plane. These satellite peaks are commensurate with the lattice via 3 → q– → q'= → a*, where → q' is the 120° rotation of → q, and define two √13a × √13a superlattices in real space. These commensurate wave vectors and tilt angle are identical to those of the CDW observed in the 1T polytype of TaS 2 and TaSe 2 . In conclusion, to understand this similarity and the faintness of the peaks, we discuss possible sources of local 1T polytype environment in bulk 2H-NbS 2 crystals.