Preparation, characterization and photoelectrochemical property of ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets via hydrothermal intercalation and exfoliation route

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 571; pp. 37 - 42
• Main Authors: Liu, Y.D., Ren, L., Qi, X., Yang, L.W., Hao, G.L., Li, J., Wei, X.L., Zhong, J.X.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 15-09-2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electron density of states and band structure of crystalline solids; Electron states; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Exfoliation; Fullerenes and related materials; intercalation compounds; General equipment and techniques; Hydrothermal/exfoliation; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Intercalation; Lithium; Materials science; Molecular electronics, nanoelectronics; Molybdenum disulfide; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanostructure; Optoelectronic devices; Other topics in nanoscale materials and structures; Photoelectrochemical; Physics; Scanning electron microscopy; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Sensors (chemical, optical, electrical, movement, gas, etc.); remote sensing; Sunlight; Ultrathin nanosheets; Hydrothermal/exfoliation; Molybdenum disulfide; Ultrathin nanosheets; Photoelectrochemical; Ethylene glycol; Atomic force microscopy; Scanning electron microscopy; Nanoplate; Optoelectronics; Nanosheet; Intercalation compounds; XRD; Molybdenum; Exfoliation; Nanoelectronics; Heterogeneous catalysis; Transmission electron microscopy; Hydrothermal synthesis; Morphology; Electrochemistry; Illumination; Sensors; Microstructure
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2013.03.031

Ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets exhibiting preferable photoelectrochemical and photoresponse activity are prepared via hydrothermal intercalation and exfoliation route. [Display omitted]
•Lithium can be readily intercalated between the layers of MoS2 in hydrothermal process.•Ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets are obtained by the removing of lithium in water.•Ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets exhibit preferable photoresponse activity.
A simple but effective hydrothermal intercalation and exfoliation route is developed to prepare ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets in high yield. The morphologies and microstructures of as prepared products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. It is found that zerovalent lithium is readily intercalated between the layers of MoS2 using ethylene glycol as both reductant and solvent in hydrothermal process. Subsequently ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets with good quality are obtained by the removing of lithium via the exfoliating process in water. The obtained ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets exhibit preferable photoelectrochemical and photoresponse activity under the illumination of simulated sunlight compared to bulk MoS2. Our results indicate that ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets have promising applications in photo-electrochemistry, heterogeneous catalysis, sensors and optoelectronic nanodevices.