Control of Volume-Responsive Properties of Hydrogels through Molybdenum Disulfide Nanosheet Incorporation

A composite structure of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogel is demonstrated for the selective detection of phenols. The incorporation of MoS2 with a hydrogel system enhances its adsorption and its volume-change response to phenols. It is verified that the phenol detection range can be adjusted by controlling the adsorption and responsivity of the MBAMS-PNIPAM hydrogel through the amount of incorporated MoS2. This in situ detection system detects phenol concentrations below US health exposure limits. It is expected that it will expedite the development of hydrogel-based monitoring of water-soluble substances.