Fast Polymeric Functionalization Approach for the Covalent Coating of MoS₂ Layers

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Chemically exfoliated molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) is a 2D material with unique properties but often requires surface modification for specific applications.
• Achieving stable and homogeneous functional coatings on MoS₂ is crucial for its integration into advanced devices.
• Existing methods for MoS₂ functionalization can be complex or lack efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, fast, and effective method for the covalent functionalization of chemically exfoliated MoS₂.
• To impart hydrophobicity to MoS₂ surfaces through in situ polymerization.
• To establish a general protocol for creating dense and homogeneous coatings on 2D materials.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a diazonium anchoring reaction to initiate radical polymerization.
• Employed functional acryl molecules for covalent coating of MoS₂.
• Verified covalent functionalization using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (TGA-MS).

Main Results:

• Successfully achieved covalent coating of exfoliated MoS₂.
• Demonstrated efficient and quantitative implementation of hydrophobicity on MoS₂ surfaces.
• Confirmed dense and homogeneous functional coatings via spectroscopic and thermal analysis.

Conclusions:

• The diazonium-initiated in situ polymerization offers a straightforward and versatile route for covalent functionalization of MoS₂.
• This method enables rapid and effective hydrophobization of 2D molybdenum disulfide.
• The protocol is generalizable for creating robust coatings on various 2D materials.