Scalable Fabrication of Molybdenum Disulfide Nanostructures and their Assembly

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂ ) is a multifunctional material that can be used for various applications. In the single-crystalline form, MoS₂ shows superior electronic properties. It is also an exceptionally useful nanomaterial in its polycrystalline form with applications in catalysis, energy storage, water treatment, and gas sensing. Here, the scalable fabrication of longitudinal MoS₂ nanostructures, i.e., nanoribbons, and their oxide hybrids with tunable dimensions in a rational and well-reproducible fashion, is reported. The nanoribbons, obtained at different reaction stages, that is, MoO₃ , MoS₂ /MoO₂ hybrid, and MoS₂ , are fully characterized. The growth method presented herein has a high yield and is particularly robust. The MoS₂ nanoribbons can readily be removed from its substrate and dispersed in solution. It is shown that functionalized MoS₂ nanoribbons can be manipulated in solution and assembled in controlled patterns and directly on microelectrodes with UV-click-chemistry. Owing to the high chemical purity and polycrystalline nature, the MoS₂ nanostructures demonstrate rapid optoelectronic response to wavelengths from 450 to 750 nm, and successfully remove mercury contaminants from water. The scalable fabrication and manipulation followed by light-directed assembly of MoS₂ nanoribbons, and their unique properties, will be inspiring for device fabrication and applications of the transition metal dichalcogenides.