Production and Properties of Molybdenum Disulfide/Graphene Oxide Hybrid Nanostructures for Catalytic Applications

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS(2)) can be an excellent candidate for being combined with carbon nanomaterials to obtain new hybrid nanostructures with outstanding properties, including higher catalytic activity. The aim of the conducted research was to develop the novel production method of hybrid nanostructures formed from MoS(2) and graphene oxide (GO). The nanostructures were synthesized in different weight ratios and in two types of reactors (i.e., impinging jet and semi-batch reactors). Physicochemical analysis of the obtained materials was carried out, using various analytical techniques: particle size distribution (PSD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Due to the potential application of materials based on MoS(2) as the catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction, linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) of the commercial MoS(2), synthesized MoS(2) and the obtained hybrid nanostructures was performed using a three-electrode system. The results show that the developed synthesis of hybrid MoS(2)/GO nanostructures in continuous reactors is a novel and facile method for obtaining products with desired properties. The hybrid nanostructures have shown better electrochemical properties and higher onset potentials compared to MoS(2) nanoparticles. The results indicate that the addition of carbon nanomaterials during the synthesis improves the activity and stability of the MoS(2) nanoparticles.