Synthesis and characterization of surfactant assisted MoS2 for degradation of industrial pollutants

• Published in: Optical materials 2022-11, Vol.133, p.113033, Article 113033
• Main Authors: Farooq, Muhammad, Iqbal, Tahir, Mansha, Muhammad Salim, Riaz, K.N., Nabi, Ghulam, Sayed, M.A., El-Rehim, A.F. Abd, Ali, Atif Mossad, Afsheen, Sumera
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hydrothermal method; MoS2; Nanorods; Photo catalysis; Surfactant assisted; UREA
• ISSN: 0925-3467; 1873-1252
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2022.113033

The surfactant assisted MoS2 nanomaterials were synthesized through hydrothermal method (which is simple and cost effective) using four different surfactants (UREA, PVP, CTAB and oxalic acid). Optical properties of prepared samples were characterized through ultra violet visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy while recombination time of photo generated charge carriers was measured using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Functional groups present in fabricated nanostructures were analyzed using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy. The crystallinity and surface morphology of synthesized materials was examined with the help of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) respectively. Photocatalytic efficiency of surfactant based MoS2 nanomaterials was observed by degrading industrial waste under visible light irradiation for 180 min. The stabilities and scavenger effects of prepared MoS2 nanostructures were also studied in 05 cycles of repeated experiments and using different scavenger materials respectively. The experimental results reveal that urea based MoS2 (M-UREA) nanorods are the optimal material among all other prepared samples having 59% photocatalytic efficiency of industrial waste with lowest band gap, highest absorption, reduced recombination time and optimal morphology of such nanorods. [Display omitted] •Four surfactants (UREA, PVP, CTAB and oxalic acid) were used to prepare MoS2 nanomaterials by simple hydrothermal method.•Ultra violet visible and photoluminescence spectroscopies were employed to measure optical properties and recombination time.•The structure and morphology of fabricated materials were examined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope.•Photocatalytic efficiency of prepared materials was observed by degrading industrial waste using visible light for 180 min.•The experimental results reveal that urea based MoS2 nanorods is the optimal material with 59% photocatalytic efficiency.