MoS₂ nanoparticles and h-BN nanosheets from direct exfoliation of bulk powder: one-step synthesis method

We report facile synthesis of MoS₂ nanoparticles and h-BN nanosheets using ultrasonication method in suitable solvents such as N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone and ethylene glycol, respectively. The average size of MoS₂ nanoparticles observed from TEM analysis were 4–5 nm and about a few hundreds of nm for h-BN nanosheets. Raman spectroscopy carried out on nanoparticle samples confirms the formation of MoS₂ nanoparticles and h-BN nanosheets. UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) measurements carried out on the products show typical absorption and luminescence spectra of MoS₂ and h-BN. Further, we attempted to decorate gold nanoparticles on nanosheets of MoS₂ and h-BN which show subsequent change in Raman spectra due to charge transfer interaction. (paper)