Cerium-doped MoS2 nanostructures: Efficient visible photocatalysis for Cr(VI) removal

• A novel cerium-doped MoS2 nanocomposite is synthesized.
• The cerium-doped MoS2 nanocomposite has a 2D structure.
• The CeO2-MoS2 nanocomposite has S-rich edges.
• The CeO2-MoS2 has enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity to aqueous Cr(VI).

A cerium-doped MoS2 composite has been synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. The cerium-doped MoS2 composite has uniform 2D nanostructures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results confirm the CeO2-MoS2 nanocomposite has S-rich edges and there is a strong interaction between layered MoS2 and cubic CeO2. The nanocomposite has an enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity than that of bare MoS2 and CeO2. Besides, it also shows excellent photocatalytic activity and stability on reduction of aqueous Cr(VI). Schematic illustration of charge transfer route in the CeO2-MoS2 nanocomposite system is also presented.