Facile synthesis of widened MoS2 nanosheets vertically anchored on natural cellulose fibers for efficient removal of mercury ions from aquatic systems

Effectively eliminating mercury pollution in aqueous solutions remains an onerous task and important environmental challenge for protecting the public health and environment. Herein, we report a facile one-step hydrothermal approach to synthesis widened molybdenum disulfide (W-MoS2) nanosheets/natural cellulose fiber composite (W-MoS2/NCF) for highly efficient elimination of Hg(II) from aquatic systems. Benefiting from the synergistic advantages of the intrinsically sulfur-rich characteristic of W-MoS2 combined with its enlarged interlayer spacing (0.94 nm) that fully exposes the sulfur atoms as binding sites, as well as the vertical immobilization of W-MoS2 nanosheets on the cellulose fibers that enables the easy accessibility of all the S binding sites, the maximum adsorption capacity of W-MoS2/NCF towards Hg(II) was 1206 mg g−1, implying that almost all the S binding sites were fully utilized for mercury uptake. Moreover, the 3D structure characteristics can not only avoid the self-aggregation of 2D nanosheets, but also benefit the removal, regeneration, and reuse of this composite in practical application by offering convenient operations. In consequence, the W-MoS2/NCF outperformed the most of MoS2-based composites in terms of mercury removal capacity, utilization efficiency of S, operation convenience, and recyclability. Taken together, the combination of the advantages of its excellent Hg(II) capture performance, facile and scalable synthesis process, the easy availability of raw materials, easy recyclability and reusability endowed the as-prepared W-MoS2/NCF with promising potential for being used as a highly effective scavenger to decontaminate Hg(II) contaminated wastewater.