Abstract
Molybdenum Sulfide nanosheets (MoS2 NSs) have unique properties that allow its use in a wide range of applications. Unfortunately, a lack of green synthesis methods to achieve a high yield remains a challenge after decades. Herein we report a simple, ecofriendly, green and cost-effective approach to synthesize water soluble MoS2 NSs via probe/Tip sonication method. The sequential batch manner pathway allows us to attain a high yield of MoS2 NSs (~100%). The prepared MoS2 NSs were characterized using up-to-date surface science techniques. UV-visible-NIR spectroscopy allowed us to visualize the doublet peaks of pristine MoS2 at 610 and 680 nm concomitant with the inter-band transitions at 394 nm and 460 nm. Using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), the crystallites’ sizes were estimated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman Spectroscopy were performed with respect to the bulk MoS2. The energy difference between the Raman peaks revealed that our NSs are formed of 5–6 layers. Further, we explored enzyme peroxidase mimetic properties of the synthesized MoS2 NSs. Results showed that the present MoS2 NSs offer excellent peroxidase mimicking properties. Most importantly, we observed that the optical properties and characteristics of MoS2 NSs synthesized by the current green method are similar to those of MoS2 NSs synthesized using conventional harsh methods reported in the literature. So that we strongly assume that the present method is a green alternative for the existing low yield and harsh experimental procedures to achieve water soluble MoS2 NSs in high yield. The synthesized soluble NSs are promising catalysts for the detection of toxic chemicals in the environment and/or for following enzymatic chromogenic reactions.
Highlights
After the graphene era, there has been significant attention on two dimensional transition metal chalcogenide nanomaterials (TMCs) [1], in particular for MoS2, because it has a structural analogue to graphene where two sulfur atoms are sandwiched with one molybdenum atom and these layers are held together by Van der Walls forces [2]
We observed that the optical properties and characteristics of MoS2 NSs synthesized by the current green method are similar to those of MoS2 NSs synthesized using conventional harsh methods reported in the literature
The sequential batch manner/tandem synthesis allowed us to achieve MoS2 NSs in high yield than the conventional methods reported in literature
Summary
There has been significant attention on two dimensional transition metal chalcogenide nanomaterials (TMCs) [1], in particular for MoS2 , because it has a structural analogue to graphene where two sulfur atoms are sandwiched with one molybdenum atom and these layers are held together by Van der Walls forces [2]. As an advancement of nanotechnology, nano-sized MoS2 has many more advantages than the bulk MoS2 because of its enhanced surface area, good optical absorption and extreme flexibility [7,8] To this end, the vast utilization of MoS2 NSs in several emerging fields has drawn scientific attention towards synthesis of MoS2 NSs with high yields using different approaches. Liquid phase chemical exfoliation is one of the most widely used methods to synthesize MoS2 NSs from the bulk MoS2 and involves the intercalation of the lithium (Li) atoms and reaction of the intercalated Li with water [15] This process requires the use of strong intercalating agents, such as n-butyl lithium (n-BuLi) and sodium napthalenide.
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