Effect of Ni doping on the structural, optical and photocatalytic activity of MoS₂, prepared by Hydrothermal method

Abstract

Abstract Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising materials for photocatalytic functions. In class of TMDs, MoS 2 is comprehensively explored as a co-catalyst due to the extraordinary activity for photocatalytic activity of organic dye degradation. But the catalytic activities of MoS 2 are generated through S ions on depiction edges. Also numerous of S ions existed on basal planes are catalytically inactive. The insertion of external metals in MoS 2 organism is extensive way for activation of basal planes surface to enhance concentration of catalytically active sites. For this purpose, nanoparticles of Nickel (Ni) doped MoS 2 are prepared by hydrothermal technique. Structural and morphological analysis are characterized by XRD and SEM, respectively. XRD results showed that Ni is completely doped into MoS 2 . SEM showed that pure MoS 2 has sheet like structure and Ni doped MoS 2 has mix disc and flower like structure. Band gap energy was observed in declining range of 2.30–1.76 eV. The photocatalytic activity of pure MoS 2 and Ni doped MoS 2 were evaluated by degrading MB and RhB dyes under UV light irradiation. MB dye degradation of MB was 71% for pure MoS 2 . For 1% to 5% Ni doping in MoS 2 , MB dye degradated from 85% to 96%. It means that MB dye degradation of MB was enhanced continuously by increasing the concentration of Ni doping. RhB dye degradation of RhB was 62% for pure MoS 2 . For 1% to 5% Ni doping in MoS 2 , the RhB dye degradated from 77% to 91%.