Holey MoS(2) Nanosheets with Photocatalytic Metal Rich Edges by Ambient Electrospray Deposition for Solar Water Disinfection

A new method for creating nanopores in single‐layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS(2)) nanosheets (NSs) by the electrospray deposition of silver ions on a water suspension of the former is introduced. Electrospray‐deposited silver ions react with the MoS(2) NSs at the liquid–air interface, resulting in Ag(2)S nanoparticles which enter the solution, leaving the NSs with holes of 3–5 nm diameter. Specific reaction with the S of MoS(2) NSs leads to Mo‐rich edges. Such Mo‐rich defects are highly efficient for the generation of active oxygen species such as H(2)O(2) under visible light which causes efficient disinfection of water. 10(5) times higher efficiency in disinfection for the holey MoS(2) NSs in comparison to normal MoS(2) NSs is shown. Experiments are performed with multiple bacterial strains and a virus strain, demonstrating the utility of the method for practical applications. A conceptual prototype is also presented.