Please login first
Microwave-assisted exfoliation of MoS₂ with mixed solvents: structure and morphological characterization
* , , ,
1  Chemical Engineering Department, Engineering Faculty, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, 4030000, Chile
Academic Editor: Catalin-Daniel CONSTANTINESCU

Abstract:

Two-dimensional nanomaterials have become one of the most extensively studied subfields in nanoscience, with particular interest in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are a class of layered materials that exhibit highly interesting electronic and photonic properties. Exfoliation methods that combine chemical and physical processes have emerged as efficient techniques to produce two-dimensional materials, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂). These methods exploit the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and polar molecules within the material, generating localized and rapid heating that facilitates the separation of layers. In this study, we employed microwave-assisted chemical exfoliation to delaminate MoS₂ using various solvent combinations with acetone, water, and 1,4-butanediol. The selection of solvents was guided by Hansen Solubility Parameters, allowing us to predict the most suitable systems for effective exfoliation. Mixtures of acetone, water, and butanodiol were identified as optimal based on their thermodynamic compatibility with MoS₂. The exfoliation process was evaluated via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy, which confirmed the preservation of the crystalline structure along with increased interlayer spacing, indicative of successful delamination. Furthermore, morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) supported the presence of thin, exfoliated layers. These findings suggest that microwave-assisted exfoliation using tailored solvent systems is a promising approach for producing MoS₂ nanomaterials.

Keywords: Two-dimensional nanomaterials; MoS₂; Solvents; microwave-assisted chemical exfoliation
Top