Mechanically interlocked 1T/2H phases of MoS2 nanosheets for solar thermal water purification

Chemically exfoliated (ce) MoS2 nanosheets were mechanically interlocked with bacterial nanocellulose (BNC)), enabling an effective solar thermal water purification. The phase transition from 2H to 1T during exfoliation enhanced the light absorption of ce-MoS2, increasing the solar evaporation efficiency from 59% to 76% under 0.76 kW/m2 light intensity. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of ce-MoS2 was lower than that of graphene oxide. These findings suggest that highly efficient, scalable, and environmentally benign ce-MoS2 nanosheets are promising for biomedical and other solar-enabled technologies, as well as for solar steam generation.294