Molybdenum Disulfide-Metal Organic Framework as Electrode Material for Heavy Metal Ions Detection in Aqueous Media

Abstract

Heavy metal ions (HMIs) are highly hazardous environmental pollutants that pose major threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health due to their non-biodegradable nature and strong tendency to accumulate in living organisms. Therefore, it is essential to develop efficient electrode materials for their electrochemical detection in water. For heavy metal ions detection, a hybrid electrode material based on molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and an ytterbium-based metal–organic framework (Yb-MOF) was synthesized and characterized. MoS₂@Yb-MOF composite was developed by synthesizing MoS2 nanosheets and combining them with Yb-MOF to synergistically integrate the active edge sites of MoS2 with high surface area and abundant coordination sites of porous framework of the Yb-MOF. A flexible and conductive electrode was fabricated by directly integrating the composite onto a carbon cloth surface. The successful formation of composite material was confirmed through structural and morphological characterization using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical studies conducted using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed improved charge transfer behavior and enhanced electrochemical activity of the composite electrode relative to the individual components. These results suggested that the MoS₂@Yb-MOF composite is a promising electrode material for electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions in aqueous media.