Mechanochemical engineering and supramolecular reconstruction of MoS2 nanosheets with C60-γCD complexes for enhanced photocatalytic and piezoelectric performances

Abstract

Conventional exfoliation methods for bulk MoS2, such as liquid phase exfoliation and ball milling, involve complex, energy-intensive steps, making it challenging to develop efficient catalytic systems due to the cumbersome processes and low yields. In this study, we present a novel, solvent-free, one-step mechanochemical process for a three-component heterostructure of MoS2, cyclodextrin (γCD), and fullerene (C60) for catalytic hydrogen production. Upon grinding with an agate and mortar, the in-situ formation of a supramolecular complex of γCD and C60 synergistically induces lever-based fragmentation of MoS2, significantly increasing the exposure of active edge sites and enhancing interactions within the MoS2-C60-γCD heterostructure. This simple method greatly improves water dispersibility and maximizes the catalytic activity of the MoS2, reinforcing its photocatalytic and piezoelectric performance in hydrogen production through supramolecular interactions with the assembled C60-γCD nanocomplex. The interfacial and electrochemical synergistic effects based on supramolecular design lead to a simple and effective fabrication process with robust photocatalytic performance, demonstrating the practicality of mechanochemical techniques for high-performance MoS2 heterostructure catalysis systems. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.