Interface effect of graphene oxide in MoS2 layered nanosheets for thermoelectric application

Thermoelectric processing is a power generation by turning thermal energy into electricity. In specific, a great potential has shown in 2D materials for thermal energy management due to their combined transport properties of electrical and thermal properties. The layered molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanostructure was prepared by hydrothermal growth with citric acid as a complexing agent. Using modified Hummer's method graphene oxide was prepared. The layered MoS2/GO intercalation nanocomposites with the effect of GO weight percentages were investigated. This approach throw-outs addition of amorphous carbon as an intercalation which condense the defect degree and enhanced the thermoelectric properties. The structural and morphological analysis of the layered MoS2/GO intercalation nanocomposites shows the MoS2 consists of few layers. It exhibits an extremely layered structure on the surface of the graphene with homogenous dispersion. The successful incorporation of GO in MoS2 layers confirmed by high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). Raman and XPS analysis clearly revealed the modes of vibration and the elemental presence of MoS2 and graphene oxide. The maximum Seebeck coefficient achieved is 50 lV K-1 at 550 K. The scattering occurs due to the charge carriers which produce the energy in the nanograin interfaces for the improvement of Seebeck coefficient. The MoS2/GO intercalation proves that the narrow band gap materials shows a good thermoelectric property with the lower thermal diffusivity. The reduction in thermal conductivity is observed of about 0.22 Wm(-1) K-1 at room temperature. The key factor is that the stability of the sample is improved for MoS2/GO intercalation nanocomposites than pristine MoS2. Our work paved a new approach to improve TE performance by preparing TE MoS2 material through simple chemical route. (C) The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021.

Automated summary

Thermoelectric processing involves converting thermal energy into electricity. Two-dimensional materials show great potential for thermal energy management due to their combined electrical and thermal transport properties. By preparing layered MoS2/GO intercalation nanocomposites, enhanced thermoelectric properties can be achieved through a simple chemical route, improving stability and reducing thermal conductivity.