A one-step approach to the large-scale synthesis of functionalized MoS2 nanosheets by ionic liquid assisted grinding

Abstract

A prerequisite for exploiting most proposed applications for MoS₂ is the availability of water-dispersible functionalized MoS₂ nanosheets in large quantities. Here we report one-step synthesis and surface functionalization of MoS₂ nanosheets by a facile ionic liquid assisted grinding method in the presence of chitosan. The selected ionic liquid with suitable surface energy could efficiently overcome the van der Waals force between the MoS₂ layers. Meanwhile, chitosan molecules bind to the plane of MoS₂ sheets non-covalently, which prevents the reassembling of exfoliated MoS₂ sheets and facilitates the exfoliation progress. The obtained chitosan functionalized MoS₂ nanosheets possess favorable stability and biocompatibility, which renders them as promising and biocompatible near-infrared agents for photothermal ablation of cancer. This contribution provides a facile way for the green, one-step and large-scale synthesis of advanced functional MoS₂ materials.