Scalable and efficient extraction of two-dimensional MoS2 nanosheets from dispersions as a co-catalyst for enhancing Fenton reactions

Abstract

Here, two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (2D-MoS2) nanosheets were efficiently extracted from dispersions by precipitation method and then directly applied as co-catalyst for enhancing Fenton reactions. The 2D-MoS2 nanosheets were completely extracted in a short time, while surfactant was left in dispersion. The average length and layer number of extracted 2D-MoS2 nanosheets are 110.41 nm and 2.6, respectively. Due to the loose structure and a small amount of adsorbed surfactant, the extracted 2D-MoS2 nanosheets exhibited excellent dispersibility in various solvents. The 2D-MoS2 nanosheets as co-catalyst promoted greatly the production rate of reactive hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and thus decreased remarkably the dosage of ferrous salts and H2O2. The co-catalytic property of 2D-MoS2 nanosheets is much better than that of commercial bulk MoS2 because 2D-MoS2 provides abundant active edge sites. This work not only demonstrated a scalable and efficient method for extracting 2D-MoS2 nanosheets from dispersions, but also widened the applications areas of 2D-MoS2 and provided an excellent co-catalyst for Fenton reactions.