Exfoliated MoS₂ nanosheets immobilized in porous microbeads as recoverable photocatalysts

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) is a highly effective visible light photocatalyst when used as well-exfoliated 2D nanosheets. The ability to make effective use of these properties is significantly compromised by the challenge of preventing nanosheet aggregation or restacking in fluid suspensions. We report a strategy for immobilizing chemically exfoliated MoS₂ as single- and few-layer nanosheets in porous crosslinked polymers prepared as microbeads. The polymeric support prevents aggregation of the nanosheets while allowing access to the nanomaterial for model organic compounds present in the surrounding fluid. Exposure to visible light results in high degradation yields (>99%) of these organic species in aqueous media, and the MoS₂ nanosheets maintain their photocatalytic efficacy through multiple cycles of use. The recoverability of the porous beads and the persistent photocatalytic activity of the polymer-supported MoS₂ offer the potential of realizing an effective, environmentally sustainable platform for photocatalytic degradation of dissolved solutes.