Two-Dimensional Molybdenum Disulfide–Water: Intercalation Processes, New Functional Properties, and Application Prospects

Modern research findings for the interaction of two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (primarily in the nanocrystalline state) with water and air moisture were analyzed. Studies focusing on water intercalation/deintercalation processes and mechanisms in nanocrystalline d-transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs, mainly 2D MoS₂) are at their initial stage. Intercalated water was found to significantly influence the multifunctional properties of 2D MoS₂ nanostructures and microsized powders. The need for interdisciplinary studies of 2D TMD nanostructures intercalated with water through complex mechanisms was justified. In particular, the studies should include the development of intercalation/deintercalation nanotechnologies, establishment of interrelationships between the intercalation processes/mechanisms and the state of actual surfaces and features of actual nanostructures, determination of differences in intercalation processes and mechanisms for various semiconductor and metallic nanostructures, and design of multifunctional low-dimensional van der Waals nanomaterials with controllable properties based on nanosized 2D/nD heterostructures (n = = 0, 1, 2, 3) intercalated with water. Promising applications for 2D MoS₂ nanostructures intercalated with water are as follows: nanotechnologies of heterostructures with abnormal water properties, tribological characteristics of solid lubricants with moisture present, nanotechnologies using water or aqueous solutions, sorbents and photocatalysts for water purification, electro(photo, piezo)catalysts for the production of hydrogen and oxygen through water electrolysis, as well as hydrovoltaic effects, air humidity sensors, biosensors, and disinfection agents (COVID-19 pandemic).