Continuous exfoliation of 2H-MoS2 in a microwave-heated microfluidic contactor

Quirós-Ovies, Ramiro ; Sabanés, Natalia Martín ; García-Pérez, Cristina ; Bernardo-Gavito, Ramón ; Granados, Daniel ; Pérez, Emilio M. ; Santamaría, Jesús (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Sebastian, Víctor (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Microwave (MW)-assisted exfoliation of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has been demonstrated to produce exceptionally large area (in the µm2 range), ultrathin (< 4 layers) flakes operating in the batch mode. Here, we develop a continuous system capable of producing few-layer MoS2 flakes of similar quality to those obtained through the batch procedure but with enhanced efficiency and scalability. The proposed microfluidic-based method introduces a controlled, stable, and reproducible process for exfoliating MoS2 in a liquid medium. By optimizing parameters such as flow rate, channel geometry, power of the MW heating and solvent selection, we were able to consistently achieve flake sizes in the µm range and thicknesses below 6 nm, comparable to those obtained via batch MW exfoliation. The continuous nature of the system allows for scalable production, addressing one of the major limitations of batch processes. While developed for MoS2 flakes, it can be translated to any two-dimensional (2D) material with suitable microwave-absorbing properties, potentially paving the way for the continuous production of a wide variety of large-area ultrathin flakes.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2025.160506

Año: 2025

Publicado en: Chemical Engineering Journal 508 (2025), 160506 [11 pp.]
ISSN: 1385-8947

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/CEX2020-001039-S
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/CEX2023-001286-S
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PDC2022-133866-I00
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2021-127847OB-I00
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/CTQ2017-86060-P
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/PID2020-116661RB-I00

Tipo y forma: Artículo (PostPrint)

Área (Departamento): Área Ingeniería Química (Dpto. Ing.Quím.Tecnol.Med.Amb.)