Ikhyun Kim

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide, is a promising photocatalyst for environmental remediation under visible light irradiation. However, it is important to develop simple and chemical-free approaches to tune this material’s photocatalytic performance. In this work, we propose acoustic shock-wave treatment as a post-synthesis strategy for tuning the structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of MoS2. MoS2 samples were subjected to controlled acoustic shock-wave treatment as 100, 200, 300 and 400 shock pulses using a semi-automatic Reddy tube and followed by structural, optical and photocatalytic characterization for shock-untreated and shock-treated MoS2. The photocatalytic activity was estimated by degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible-light irradiation. The degradation efficiency was enhanced from 85% for the untreated MoS2 to a maximum of 95% after 200 shock pulses, together with an increase in the reaction rate constant. XPS, EIS and BET analyses confirmed additional changes in surface chemical characteristics, charge-transfer behavior and accessible surface area after shock-wave treatment. A slight decrease in photocatalytic efficiency was observed at higher shock loading, suggesting that the degree of shock treatment affects the photocatalytic response. Overall, the results suggest that acoustic shock wave treatment is a good post-synthesis approach for the chemical-free modification of MoS2 and tuning of its photocatalytic activity.

Shock-wave-induced lattice contraction in SnTe reduces the band gap and modifies radiative charge-carrier recombination, resulting in changes in PL intensity.

Shock waves are non-linear, high-pressure waves that travel at supersonic speeds and act as high-energy carriers, representing one of nature’s most efficient mechanisms for energy dissipation (Lee,...

A shortage of high-efficiency energy storage materials characterizes the current fossil-fuel era. Researchers have found an effective solution to this issue in fabricating nanomaterials through deposition, etching, doping, and composite fabrication. These methods improve material performance by enhancing the synergistic effect. In this study, tungsten (W) doping effectively enhances the physicochemical properties of MoO3, and carbon nanosphere decoration further improves electrochemical performance. Using XRD, XPS, SEM, and TEM characterization methods confirmed the successful formation of a well-integrated material structure. Electrochemical investigations via CV, GCD, and EIS demonstrate that engineering the material to achieve structural tuning creates a synergistic effect on storage performance. Taken together, this composite exhibits pseudocapacitor behavior, yielding a specific capacitance (Cs) of 883.9 F/g at 10 mV/s. After 5000 charge–discharge cycles, the Coulombic efficiency is 94.8%, while the capacitance retention is 62.3%. The synergistic interaction of W-doped MoO3 with CNS delivers enhanced electrochemical stability and high capacitive performance, highlighting its strong potential as an efficient electrode material for next-generation supercapacitors.