Abstract
Exfoliated transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) such as WS2 and MoS2 have shown exciting potential for energy storage, catalysis and optoelectronics. So far, solution based methods for scalable production of few-layer TMDs usually involve the use of organic solvents or dangerous chemicals. Here, we report an eco-friendly method for facile synthesis of few-layer WS2 and MoS2 nanosheets using dilute aqueous solution of household detergent. Short time sonication of varying amount of bulk samples in soapy water was used to scale up the production of nanosheets. Thermal stability, optical absorption and Raman spectra of as-synthesized WS2 and MoS2 nanosheets are in close agreement with those from other synthesis techniques. Efficient photocatalytic activity of TMDs nanosheets was demonstrated by decomposing Brilliant Green dye in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. Our study shows the great potential of TMDs nanosheets for environmental remediation by degrading toxic industrial chemicals in wastewater using sunlight.
Highlights
IntroductionThe lithium ions react with water to form LiOH and H2, which expands the interlayer space, causing the bulk material to exfoliate into 2D nanomaterials[3,24,25]
Our study demonstrated that sophisticated surfactants are not necessary to exfoliate transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), dilute aqueous solution of simple household detergent works extremely well at a very low cost (~0.01 cent per batch of synthesis in this study), without the need of dangerous chemicals or harsh synthesis conditions, which are key to eco-friendly large-scale manufacturing of few-layer TMDs nanosheets
Photocatalytic effect of few-layer WS2 and MoS2 nanosheets was demonstrated by decomposing Brilliant Green (BG) dye in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation
Summary
The lithium ions react with water to form LiOH and H2, which expands the interlayer space, causing the bulk material to exfoliate into 2D nanomaterials[3,24,25]. This process involves the use of highly flammable and explosive chemicals. Electrochemical intercalation of lithium ions avoids the use of dangerous chemicals but suffers with low yields, defeating the purpose[26,27] In another liquid phase exfoliation method, few-layer materials are exfoliated from the bulk material using ultrasound waves (sonication), while dispersed in polar solvents, with and without the aid of surfactants[24,25]. Our study shows that WS2 and MoS2 nanosheets have great potential in environmental remediation by utilizing sunlight to degrade harmful chemicals such as BG in wastewater
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
