The development of advanced and efficient synthetic methods is pivotal for the widespread application of 2D materials. In this study, a facile and scalable solvent-free mechanochemical approach is approached, employing graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as exfoliation agents, for the synthesis and functionalization of nearly atom-layered MoS2 nanosheets (ALMS). The resulting ALMS exhibits an ultrathin average thickness of 4 nm and demonstrates high solvent stability. The impressive yield of ALMS reached 63%, indicating its potential for scalable production of stable nanosheets. Remarkably, the ALMS catalyst exhibits excellent HER performance. Moreover, the ALMS catalyst showcases exceptional long-term durability, maintaining stable performance for nearly 200 h, underscoring its potential as a highly efficient and durable electrocatalyst. Significantly, the catalytic properties of ALMS are significantly influenced by ball milling production conditions. The GQD-assisted large-scale machinery synthesis pathway provides a promising avenue for the development of efficient and high-performance ultrathin 2D materials.
Keywords: atom-layer; graphene quantum dots; hydrogen evolution reaction; mechanochemical; semiconductor electrocatalysts.
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