A one-step approach to the large-scale synthesis of functionalized MoS2 nanosheets by ionic liquid assisted grinding

A prerequisite for exploiting most proposed applications for MoS2 is the availability of water-dispersible functionalized MoS2 nanosheets in large quantities. Here we report one-step synthesis and surface functionalization of MoS2 nanosheets by a facile ionic liquid assisted grinding method in the presence of chitosan. The selected ionic liquid with suitable surface energy could efficiently overcome the van der Waals force between the MoS2 layers. Meanwhile, chitosan molecules bind to the plane of MoS2 sheets non-covalently, which prevents the reassembling of exfoliated MoS2 sheets and facilitates the exfoliation progress. The obtained chitosan functionalized MoS2 nanosheets possess favorable stability and biocompatibility, which renders them as promising and biocompatible near-infrared agents for photothermal ablation of cancer. This contribution provides a facile way for the green, one-step and large-scale synthesis of advanced functional MoS2 materials.