Synthesis and nanostructural characterization of new layered compounds based on molybdenum disulfide and organic dyes

Preparation of new MoS2 layered compounds, in which organic dyes (rhodamine 6G, oxazine 1, and thionine) were used as the guest components, was successfully realized in two reaction systems differing by the nature of molybdenum disulfide. In one system, MoS2 was used in the form of single-layer dispersion in aqueous media; in the other system, it was taken in the form of nanodispersed powdered material, res-MoS2, obtained by exfoliation-restacking procedure and suspended in non-aqueous solvent. Structures of prepared compounds are discussed on the basis of their compositions, X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy data. The hybrid compounds formed in single-layer dispersions were found to contain the MoS2 layers, each of which alternate with dye layer, whereas, in the case of res-MoS2 the same as well as the other sequences of organic and inorganic layers are formed depending on the reaction conditions. The vicinity of different-thickness domains was revealed within the guest layers of rhodamine and oxazine. It results from different packings of organic molecules and sufficient flexibility of molybdenum disulfide layers. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.