Liquid Exfoliation Process Optimization of Graphene-Like Molybdenum Disulfide with Orthogonal Experiment Method

Abstract

Abstract The values of process parameters have direct effect on the concentration and thickness of graphene-like molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) in dispersions during liquid exfoliation. For the purpose of optimization liquid exfoliation process of MoS2 and obtaining dispersions with concentration of MoS2 as high as possible, orthogonal experiment of 3 factors at 4 levels was determined by taking absorbance of absorption peak (located at 620 nm nearby) of graphene-like MoS2 in UV-Vis spectra as criteria for decision-making of quality. The results were further analyzed with range analysis method. The results indicate that, within given test range, the process parameters affecting absorbance, i.e. concentration of graphene-like MoS2, from high to low are 1,4-butanediol (BDO) content in BDO/water mixture, ultrasonic power and ultrasonic time, and the optimal process parameters of liquid exfoliation are BDO content being 80 vol%, ultrasonic power being 600 W and ultrasonic time being 40 h, which is further verified by additional test.