One-step covalent hydrophobic/hydrophilic functionalization of chemically exfoliated molybdenum disulfide nanosheets with RAFT derived polymers

Abstract

The covalent functionalization of chemically exfoliated molybdenum disulfide (ce-MoS₂) with hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) and hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid) polymers, in a single-step without additives, is presented. The nature of chemical modification and the impact on the structure of ce-MoS₂ were spectroscopically investigated. Complexation of Eu³⁺ was accomplished on grafted polycarboxylate chains on MoS₂.