2D WS2/carbon dot hybrids with enhanced photocatalytic activity

P. Atkin, T. Daeneke, Y. Wang, B. J. Carey, K. J. Berean, R. M. Clark, J. Z. Ou, A. Trinchi, I. S. Cole, K. Kalantar-Zadeh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

120 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanoflakes were synthesised and hybridised with carbon dots (CDs) using a facile two-step method of exfoliation of bulk tungsten disulphide followed by microwave irradiation of nanoflakes in a solution of citric acid. Physicochemical characterisation indicated that the hybrid consists of graphitic carbon dots with diameters of approximately 2-5 nm, attached to monolayer tungsten disulphide via electrostatic attraction forces. This synthesised hybrid material was investigated for photocatalytic applications. We found that within one hour approximately 30% more of the model organic dye was photodegraded by the hybrid material compared with the pristine 2D WS2. This enhancement was associated to the affinity of the CDs to the organic dye rather than heterojunctioning. Comparisons of the photocatalytic efficacy of this hybrid material with those of recently reported 2D transition metal dichalcogenides and their hybrids showed a significantly higher turnover frequency. Additionally, the presented microwave based synthesis method for developing hybrids of 2D WS2 and CDs, without making significant changes to the base 2D crystal structure and its surface chemistry, has not been demonstrated before. Altogether, the hybrid 2D material provides great potential for photocatalysis applications.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)13563-13571
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A
Volume4
Issue number35
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

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