Electronic structure optimization with heterointerface design in heteroatom-doped carbon-supported MoO2/Au–MoS2 composites for multifunctional catalysis

Abstract

It is advantageous to harness the synergistic effect of multiple components to enhance the catalytic performance of integrated nanozymes, mimicking the efficacy of natural enzymes in catalytic processes. Herein, the enzyme-like catalysis of a three-dimensional (3D) Au-decorated MoS₂ nanosheets (NSs) grown in situ on S, N, P, and Fe-doped carbon@MoO₂ substrate derived from rod-like structured MoO₃@Fe-PZS is investigated. Compared with single MoS₂ NSs, the synergistic effects of Au nanoparticle (NP) decoration, S, N, P, and Fe-doped carbon@MoO₂ substrate and 1D open porous structural advantages allow Au–MoS₂/Fe-NPSC@MoO₂ to achieve optimum enzyme-like activity as well as the reduction of 4-nitrophenol(4-NP). In addition, good hydrophilicity of Au–MoS₂/Fe-NPSC@MoO₂ is conducive to achieving rapid mass transport. The test results showed that the composite exhibited excellent peroxidase activity and 4-NP catalytic reduction performance thanks to the synergistic effect of the above components. Therefore, Au–MoS₂/Fe-NPSC@MoO₂ composites have great potential in the development of artificial enzymes with catalytic dynamics of natural enzymes. This research introduces a facile approach for concurrently incorporating structural merits, electrical conductivity, and electronic engineering principles to develop versatile catalyst systems with multifaceted functionalities.