Innovative molybdenum disulfide/reduced graphene oxide@MIL 53 (nickel) catalyst for simultaneous real-time wastewater treatment and energy production

Abstract

A unique molybdenum disulfide/reduced graphene oxide@materials institute of Lavoisier-53 (Nickel) (MoS2/rGO@MIL-53 (Ni)) nanocomposite, synthesized using a hydrothermal process, exhibits significant potential as a multifunctional material. The distinctive architecture, integrating flower-shaped MoS2, sheet-like GO, and layered MIL-53(Ni) results in a hierarchical framework with abundant active sites and enhanced charge transfer, facilitates effective dye degradation, hydrogen production, and oxygen generation. The nanocomposite shows exceptional degradation efficiency for various dyes, with ∼98 % degradation of rhodamine-blue (RhB), ∼86 % degradation of bodactive red (BAR), and ∼74 % degradation of Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride hydrate (CIF) in 25 min. The nanocomposite exhibits notable electrocatalytic performance, characterized by a Tafel slope of 97 mV/decade and overpotential of −67 mV vs. RHE for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), as well as a Tafel slope of 38 mV/decade and overpotential of 44 mV vs. RHE at 10 mA/cm2 for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Chronoamperometry studies confirmed the long-term stability of MoS2/rGO@MIL-53 (Ni) for both HER and OER at accelerated current densities of 10, 20, 40 and 60 mA cm−2, indicating superior structural integrity and electrocatalytic activity. The results, along with its remarkable stability across numerous cycles, represent the potential of this adaptable material for tackling environmental and energy issues.