In this work, two dimensional (2D) MoS2 is employed as a catalyst for the generation of fuels via CO hydrogenation. Crystalline 2D-MoS2 with a surface area of 1cm2 is grown on Cu (111) under ultrahigh vacuum conditions via a multi-step method that involves sulfurization, annealing, and evaporation of controlled amounts of Mo. The MoS2 composition, thickness, and crystallinity are investigated via Auger electron spectroscopy and low energy electron diffraction, respectively. Temperature programmed desorption and temperature programmed reaction (TPR) are used to study the formation of fuels molecules from CO and H2. The TPR investigations show that CO hydrogenation is not possible on defect poor MoS2 at low temperatures and pressures. However, when Mo particles are grown on 2D-MoS2, small amounts of acetylene (C2H2) are produced through the formation of formyl radical (HCO), which readily splits on the Mo/MoS2 catalyst to form methyldyne radical (CH), which subsequently react with other CH radical to produce C2H2. Acetylene formation has also been observed on MoS2 films on which sulfur vacancies are produced via Ar sputtering, which indicates that the active sites are low coordinated Mo atoms. This research indicates that defect rich 2D-MoS2 is a promising catalyst for the formation of acetylene from syngas at or below room temperature.

Mechanism of acetylene formation via CO hydrogenation on defect rich 2D-MoS2

2019 Spring National Meeting

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