Synergetic effect of the ultrasonic-assisted hydrothermal process on the photocatalytic performance of MoS2 and WS2 nanoparticles

In the present work, MoS2 and WS2 catalysts were prepared by ultrasonic-assisted hydrothermal method to degrade the azo dye (reactive red 120). The prepared MoS2 and WS2 catalysts were confirmed by the different analytical techniques. The ultrasonic-assisted hydrothermal process enables the formation of highly crystalline MoS2 and WS2 nanoparticles. XPS result confirms the presence of divalent sulphide ions in both the samples and tetravalent tungsten and molybdenum. The formation of flower-like particles is confirmed by SEM and TEM. The photocatalytic activity of the MoS2 and WS2 towards reactive red 120 (RR120) was examined. Both the MoS2 and WS2 catalysts show 85% and 84% degradation ability against RR120. MoS2 and WS2 catalysts are highly stable and exhibit more than 77% and 75% after 4th cycle.