Scalable salt-templated directed synthesis of high-quality MoS₂ nanosheets powders towards energetic and environmental applications

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have emerged as perfect platforms for developing applications in nano-electronics, catalysis, energy storage and environmental-related fields due to their superior properties. However, the low-cost, batch production of high-quality 2D TMDCs remains a huge challenge with the existing synthetic strategies. Herein, we present a scalable chemical vapor deposition (CVD) approach for the batch production of high-quality MoS₂ nanosheet powders, by using naturally abundant, water-soluble and recyclable NaCl crystal powders as templates. The high-quality MoS₂ nanosheets powders are achieved by a facile water dissolution-filtration process, by virtue of the excellent dispersibility of the as-grown products in water. The internal mechanism for the scalable synthesis strategy is explored. The applications of the MoS₂ nanosheets powders are also demonstrated as catalysts or adsorbents in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and organic dyes adsorption, respectively. This work should hereby pave ways for the mass production and application of powdery TMDCs in energetic and environmental related fields.