Co-doped
MoS
2
nanosheets have been synthesized through
the hydrothermal reaction of ammonium tetrathiomolybdate and hydrazine
in the presence of cobalt acetate. These nanosheets exhibit a dominant
metallic 1T phase with cobalt ion-activated defective basal planes
and S-edges. In addition, the nanosheets are dispersible in polar
solvents like water and methanol. With increased active sites, Co-doped
MoS
2
nanosheets exhibit exceptional catalytic activity
in the reduction of nitroarenes by NaBH
4
with impressive
turnover frequencies of 8.4, 3.2, and 20.2 min
–1
for 4-nitrophenol, 4-nitroaniline, and nitrobenzene, respectively.
The catalyst is magnetic, enabling its easy separation from the reaction
mixture, thus making its recycling and reusability simple and efficient.
The enhanced catalytic activity of the Co-doped 1T MoS
2
nanosheets in comparison to that of undoped 1T MoS
2
nanosheets
suggests that incorporation of cobalt ions in the MoS
2
lattice
is the major reason for the efficiency of the catalyst. The dopant,
Co, plays a dual role. In addition to providing active sites where
electron transfer is assisted through redox cycling, it renders the
nanosheets magnetic, enabling their easy removal from the reaction
mixture.
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