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.