Effect of Ni doping on the structural, optical and photocatalytic activity of MoS2, prepared by Hydrothermal method

Abstract

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising materials for photocatalytic functions. In class of TMDs, MoS2 is comprehensively explored as a co-catalyst due to the extraordinary activity for photocatalytic activity of organic dye degradation. But the catalytic activities of MoS2 are generated through S ions on depiction edges. Also numerous of S ions existed on basal planes are catalytically inactive. The insertion of external metals in MoS2 organism is extensive way for activation of basal planes surface to enhance concentration of catalytically active sites. For this purpose, nanoparticles of Nickel (Ni) doped MoS2 are prepared by hydrothermal technique. Structural and morphological analysis are characterized by XRD and SEM, respectively. XRD results showed that Ni is completely doped into MoS2. SEM showed that pure MoS2 has sheet like structure and Ni doped MoS2 has mix disc and flower like structure. Band gap energy was observed in declining range of 2.30–1.76 eV. The photocatalytic activity of pure MoS2 and Ni doped MoS2 were evaluated by degrading MB and RhB dyes under UV light irradiation. MB dye degradation of MB was 71% for pure MoS2. For 1% to 5% Ni doping in MoS2, MB dye degradated from 85% to 96%. It means that MB dye degradation of MB was enhanced continuously by increasing the concentration of Ni doping. RhB dye degradation of RhB was 62% for pure MoS2. For 1% to 5% Ni doping in MoS2, the RhB dye degradated from 77% to 91%.