Facile Synthesis of MoS2-C60Nanocomposites and Their Application to Catalytic Reduction and Photocatalytic Degradation

MoS2 precursors were synthesized by reacting thioacetamide (C2H5NS) with sodium molybdate dihydrate (Na2MoO4·2H2O) in aqueous HCl solution. MoS2 nanoparticles were prepared from dried MoS2 precursors by calcination in an electric furnace at 700°C for 2 h under an inert argon atmosphere. MoS2-C60 nanocomposites were obtained by heating MoS2 nanoparticles and fullerene (C60) together in an electric furnace at 700°C for 2 h. Their morphological and the structural properties were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The MoS2 nanoparticles and MoS2-C60 nanocomposites were used as catalysts in the reductions of 2-, 3-, and 4-nitrophenol in the presence of sodium borohydride. The photocatalytic activities of the MoS2 nanoparticles and MoS2-C60 nanocomposites were evaluated in the degradation of organic dyes (brilliant green, methylene blue, methyl orange, and rhodamine B) under ultraviolet light (254 nm).