Three-Dimensional NiS-MoS₂/Graphene Heterostructured Nanohybrids as High-Performance Hydrodesulfurization Catalysts

A simplistic and scalable method for constructing three-dimensional (3D) highly porous aerogels composed of in situ formed NiS nanoparticles anchored onto two-dimensional (2D) MoS2/graphene assembly was reported. This process involves simple hydrothermal treatment followed by moderate thermal annealing. The as-synthesized nanohybrids were deeply investigated using several characterization techniques. The favorable interfacial interactions promoted the graphene surface to control the aggregation of layered MoS2 and uniform decoration of in situ formed NiS nanoparticles was achieved in the resulting nanohybrids. The resulting nanostructured 3D NiS-MoS2/graphene assembly produced synergistic effects and displayed remarkably enhanced hydrodesulfurization (HDS) performance toward dibenzothiophene conversion. The content of NiS cocatalyst controls the hydrogen spillover in the resulting nanoheterojunction catalysts and exhibits an enhanced HDS performance. The presented synthetic approach can be applied into the large-scale production of 3D ternary heterostructured nanohybrids composed of metal sulfide/oxide, 2D MoS2, and graphene aerogels and opens new avenues for a plethora of applications including electrocatalysts and high-performance electrode materials for energy storage; in conjunction, it can also offer innovative pathways to fabricate hierarchical and newer functional hybrids composed of 2D materials.