Enhanced Catalytic Reduction of p-Nitrophenol on Ultrathin MoS2 Nanosheets Decorated with Noble Metal Nanoparticles

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Xiu-Qing Qiao
  • Zhen-Wei Zhang
  • Feng-Yu Tian
  • Dong-Fang Hou
  • Zheng-Fang Tian
  • Dong-Sheng Li

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3538-3547
Journal / PublicationCrystal Growth and Design
Volume17
Issue number6
Online published10 May 2017
Publication statusPublished - 7 Jun 2017
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

In this work, ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets (MoS2 NSs) with defect-rich structure were prepared and used as catalysts for the reduction of p-nitropheonol. Also, thanks to the defect sites, noble metal (Au, Ag, Pd, Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) can be successfully deposited on the MoS2 NSs via a facile and efficient one-step photochemical reduction process without the assistance of a stabilizer. The morphology and crystal structure of as-synthesized materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and N2 physisorption mearurements. Catalytic results demonstrate that as-prepared MoS2 NSs and noble metal modified MoS2 NSs (NM/MoS2 NSs) effectively catalyze the reduction of p-nitrophenol (p-NP) to p-aminophenol (p-AP) with NaBH4. The Pd/MoS2 NSs shows the best catalytic performance, exhibiting an apparent rate constant (κapp) of 0.386 min-1 even with moderate chemical stability. Interestingly, the activity of MoS2 NSs is comparable to and even higher than previously studied noble metal-based catalysts. Moreover, the good reusability without significant activity loss suggests that MoS2 NSs can be a strong candidate for sustainable chemical catalysis. The origins of the high catalytic activity are also discussed and a probable reaction mechanism is suggested. The present work opens up new opportunities for the future design and fabrications of versatile MoS2-based composite materials.

Citation Format(s)

Enhanced Catalytic Reduction of p-Nitrophenol on Ultrathin MoS2 Nanosheets Decorated with Noble Metal Nanoparticles. / Qiao, Xiu-Qing; Zhang, Zhen-Wei; Tian, Feng-Yu et al.
In: Crystal Growth and Design, Vol. 17, No. 6, 07.06.2017, p. 3538-3547.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review