Scalable Fabrication of Molybdenum Disulfide Nanostructures and their Assembly
Yun Huang, Yu Kang, Huaizhi Li, Kai Xu, Zexi Liang, Debora Walker, Paulo J. Ferreira, Peer Fischer, Donglei Fan
Abstract
Abstract Molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) is a multifunctional material that can be used for various applications. In the single‐crystalline form, MoS 2 shows superior electronic properties. It is also an exceptionally useful nanomaterial in its polycrystalline form with applications in catalysis, energy storage, water treatment, and gas sensing. Here, the scalable fabrication of longitudinal MoS 2 nanostructures, i.e., nanoribbons, and their oxide hybrids with tunable dimensions in a rational and well‐reproducible fashion, is reported. The nanoribbons, obtained at different reaction stages, that is, MoO 3 , MoS 2 /MoO 2 hybrid, and MoS 2 , are fully characterized. The growth method presented herein has a high yield and is particularly robust. The MoS 2 nanoribbons can readily be removed from its substrate and dispersed in solution. It is shown that functionalized MoS 2 nanoribbons can be manipulated in solution and assembled in controlled patterns and directly on microelectrodes with UV‐click‐chemistry. Owing to the high chemical purity and polycrystalline nature, the MoS 2 nanostructures demonstrate rapid optoelectronic response to wavelengths from 450 to 750 nm, and successfully remove mercury contaminants from water. The scalable fabrication and manipulation followed by light‐directed assembly of MoS 2 nanoribbons, and their unique properties, will be inspiring for device fabrication and applications of the transition metal dichalcogenides.