Molybdenum Disulfide and Tungsten Disulfide as Novel Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Separation Science

Abstract

Beyond graphene-based membranes, for water desalination, a vast horizon of new materials has been discovered for solutes separation from water. In this realm, the transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) molybdenum and tungsten disulfide (MoS2 and WS2, respectively) stand as promising two-dimensional (2D) materials. Their tailoring for nanofluidics as well as the emerging synthesis and production methods unfold the possibility of applying MoS2 and WS2 in modern desalination processes based on 2D membranes. We present here an overview from their theoretical conception to their state-of-the-art applications, highlighting the challenges and opportunities associated with measuring water flow and ionic rejection rates at nanoscale. In a world full of environmental concerns, both the theoretical gaps and experimental perspectives point toward a promising use of MoS2 and WS2 as green components in separation technologies, contributing to increase the availability of clean, potable water.