Researchers measured the elastic properties of freely suspended MoS₂ nanosheets using an atomic force microscope (AFM) bending test. The Young's modulus of these nanosheets was found to be 0.33 TPa, comparable to that of graphene oxide, with deflections reversible up to tens of nanometers. MoS₂ is a promising material for flexible electronic devices due to its large intrinsic bandgap and high mobility. The mechanical properties of MoS₂ nanosheets were studied for thicknesses ranging from 5 to 25 layers. The elastic behavior was analyzed using a continuum mechanics model, which accounted for both plate (bending-dominated) and membrane (stretching-dominated) behaviors. The results showed that the Young's modulus of the nanosheets is extremely high, with an average value of 0.33 ± 0.07 TPa, and that the pre-tension is low and uniform across different thicknesses. The nanosheets are very tough, capable of withstanding large elastic deformations without breaking. The study also found that the mechanical properties of the nanosheets are highly homogeneous, with variations in Young's modulus between 0.21 and 0.42 TPa. The results suggest that the high Young's modulus observed is due to the low density of stacking faults in the nanosheets, which allows for the study of intrinsic mechanical properties. The findings indicate that MoS₂ nanosheets could be attractive substitutes for graphene in flexible semiconductor applications. The study was supported by various funding sources and involved collaboration between institutions in Spain and the Netherlands. The experimental procedures included the fabrication of clean MoS₂ flakes using PDMS stamps and characterization using optical and AFM techniques. The results were validated through multiple methods, including force-volume AFM and compliance mapping. The study provides important insights into the mechanical behavior of 2D materials and their potential applications in flexible electronics.Researchers measured the elastic properties of freely suspended MoS₂ nanosheets using an atomic force microscope (AFM) bending test. The Young's modulus of these nanosheets was found to be 0.33 TPa, comparable to that of graphene oxide, with deflections reversible up to tens of nanometers. MoS₂ is a promising material for flexible electronic devices due to its large intrinsic bandgap and high mobility. The mechanical properties of MoS₂ nanosheets were studied for thicknesses ranging from 5 to 25 layers. The elastic behavior was analyzed using a continuum mechanics model, which accounted for both plate (bending-dominated) and membrane (stretching-dominated) behaviors. The results showed that the Young's modulus of the nanosheets is extremely high, with an average value of 0.33 ± 0.07 TPa, and that the pre-tension is low and uniform across different thicknesses. The nanosheets are very tough, capable of withstanding large elastic deformations without breaking. The study also found that the mechanical properties of the nanosheets are highly homogeneous, with variations in Young's modulus between 0.21 and 0.42 TPa. The results suggest that the high Young's modulus observed is due to the low density of stacking faults in the nanosheets, which allows for the study of intrinsic mechanical properties. The findings indicate that MoS₂ nanosheets could be attractive substitutes for graphene in flexible semiconductor applications. The study was supported by various funding sources and involved collaboration between institutions in Spain and the Netherlands. The experimental procedures included the fabrication of clean MoS₂ flakes using PDMS stamps and characterization using optical and AFM techniques. The results were validated through multiple methods, including force-volume AFM and compliance mapping. The study provides important insights into the mechanical behavior of 2D materials and their potential applications in flexible electronics.