MoS2 nanosheets supported on carbon hybridized montmorillonite as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst in aqueous phase

Abstract Heterogeneous catalysis in aqueous phase plays a pivotal role in energy conversion, environmental remediation and pharmaceutical production. MoS2 has been considered to be a promising catalyst, however its catalytic performance in aqueous phase is greatly restricted by the hydrophobicity and low electrical conductivity. The electrical conductivity and aqueous dispersity of MoS2 nanosheets could be improved by supporting it on the carbon hybridized montmorillonite, which was synthesized through the hydrothermal carbonization and calcination pyrolysis of sucrose with the montmorillonite. Herein, the MoS2 nanosheet supported on carbon hybridized montmorillonite was successfully prepared via in-situ hydrothermal method, which exhibits 2D composite structure with good interface integration. The catalytic performance of nanocomposites was synergistically improved by montmorillonite and carbon material, and the apparent reaction rate constant for the reduction of p-nitrophenol reaches 0.874 cm−1 with nanocomposites as the catalyst. This material design strategy in this study could provide novel idea to develop efficient heterogeneous catalyst in aqueous phase.