MoS2/Polymer Nanocomposites: Preparation, Properties, and Applications

The discovery of graphene has aroused enormous scientific interests in fabrication and application of new two-dimensional (2D) materials in the past decade. As a typical layered graphene-like material, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) shows high band gap that overcomes the zero-band gap shortcoming of graphene. The unique properties enable MoS2 to exhibit great potential applications in the fields of electronic and optoelectronic devices. Despite the enormous scientific interests aroused by MoS2, little attention has been focused on the progress in fabrication, properties, and applications of MoS2/polymer nanocomposites up to now. In this review, we first present production routes to exfoliated MoS2 with an emphasis on physical and chemical exfoliations, as well as chemical synthesis. Then solvent- and melt-based strategies to disperse exfoliated MoS2 nano-platelets in various polymer matrices are discussed. We also review electrical, thermal, mechanical, tribological, and flame retardant properties of the MoS2/polymer nanocomposites. An overview of potential applications for these nanocomposites associated with current challenges is provided for future perspectives of this promising new class of nanocomposites.