Revealing Redox Behavior of Molybdenum Disulfide and Its Application as Rechargeable Antioxidant Reservoir

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) is a representative two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide and has a unique electronic structure and associated physicochemical properties. The redox property of MoS₂ has recently attracted significant attention from various fields, such as biomedical applications. Intriguingly, MoS₂ functions as an antioxidant in certain applications and as a pro-oxidant in others. We use the mediated electrochemical probing method to understand the redox behavior of MoS₂. This method reveals that MoS₂ (i) has a reversible and fast redox activity at a mild potential (between -0.20 and +0.25 V vs Ag/AgCl), (ii) functions as an antioxidant for molecules that have different redox mechanisms (electron or hydrogen atom transfer), and (iii) is electrochemically or molecularly rechargeable. Finally, we show that MoS₂ reduces oxidized molecules more efficiently than the potent natural antioxidant, curcumin. This study enhances our understanding of MoS₂ and shows its potential as an advanced antioxidant reservoir.