DOIc9nr04974f.pdf (1.71 MB)
Sonochemical edge functionalisation of molybdenum disulfide
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 18:35 authored by Aline Amorim GrafAline Amorim Graf, Matthew LargeMatthew Large, Sean OgilvieSean Ogilvie, Yuanyang Rong, Peter LynchPeter Lynch, Giuseppe Fratta, Santanu Ray, Aleksey Shmeliov, Valeria Nicolosi, Raul Arenal, Alice KingAlice King, Alan DaltonAlan DaltonLiquid-phase exfoliation (LPE) has been shown to be capable of producing large quantities of high-quality dispersions suitable for processing into subsequent applications. LPE typically requires surfactants for aqueous dispersions or organic solvents with high boiling point. However, they have major drawbacks such as toxicity, aggregation during solvent evaporation or the presence of residues. Here, dispersions of molybdenum disulfide in acetone are prepared and show much higher concentration and stability than predicted by Hansen parameter analysis. Aiming to understand those enhanced properties, the nanosheets were characterised using UV-visible spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning transmission microscopy combined with spatially-resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy. Also, the performance of the MoS2 nanosheets exfoliated in acetone was compared to those exfoliated in isopropanol as a catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The conclusion from the chemical characterisation was that MoS2 nanosheets exfoliated in acetone have an oxygen edge-functionalisation, in the form of molybdenum oxides, changing its interaction with solvents and explaining the observed high-quality and stability of the resulting dispersion in a low boiling point solvent. Exfoliation in acetone could potentially be applied as a pretreatment to modify the solubility of MoS2 by edge-functionalisation.
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Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
NanoscaleISSN
2040-3364Publisher
Royal Society of ChemistryExternal DOI
Department affiliated with
- Physics and Astronomy Publications
Research groups affiliated with
- Materials Physics Group Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2019-08-06First Open Access (FOA) Date
2020-08-05First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2019-08-05Usage metrics
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