Mechanically tuned molybdenum dichalcogenides (MoS2 and MoSe2) dispersed supramolecular hydrogel scaffolds

An intriguing way of tuning the mechanical efficiency of a supramolecular hydrogel network (SHGel) has been achieved by dispersing MoS2 and MoSe2. Depending upon the nature of chalcogens, the rheological properties of molybdenum dichalcogenides dispersed supramolecular hydrogel are varied. According to the variation of rheological properties, the morphologies of diverse molybdenum dichalcogenides dispersed hydrogel networks are changed. MoS2 enhances the mechanical performances of a supramolecular hydrogel. The incorporation of MoSe2 nano-fillers in the MoS2 dispersed supramolecular hydrogel lowers the mechanical properties gradually compared to the dispersion of pure MoS2. The dispersion of pure MoSe2 exclusively lowers the mechanical efficiency of the supramolecular hydrogel resulting in a drastic alteration of the morphological pattern of MoSe2 nano-fillers dispersed hydrogel under ambient condition. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.