A facile and scalable process was developed for the synthesis of single-layer MoS 2 -graphene nanosheet (SL-MoS 2 -GNS) composites based on the concurrent reduction of (NH 4 ) 2 MoS 4 and graphene oxide sheets by hydrazine in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), followed by annealing in a N 2 atmosphere. The morphology and microstructure of the composites were examined by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The formation process for the SL-MoS 2 -GNS composites was also investigated. The SL-MoS 2 -GNS composites delivered a large reversible capacity and good cycle stability as a Li-ion battery anode. In particular, the composites easily surpassed MoS 2 in terms of rate performance and cycle stability at high current densities. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that the GNS in the composite not only reduced the contact resistance in the electrode but also significantly facilitated the electron transfer in lithiation and delithiation reactions. The good electrochemical performance of the composites for reversible Li + storage could be attributed to the synergy between the functions of SL-MoS 2 and GNS.

A cationic surfactant-assisted hydrothermal route is developed for the facile synthesis of graphene-like MoS2 /graphene (GL-MoS2 /G) composites based on the hydrothermal reduction of Na2 MoO4 and graphene oxide sheets with L-cysteine in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), following by annealling in N2 atmosphere. The GL-MoS2 /G composites are characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The effects of CTAB concentration on the microstructures and electrochemical performances of the composites for reversible Li(+) storage are investigated. It is found that the layer number of MoS2 sheets decreases with increasing CTAB concentration. The GL-MoS2 sheets in the composites are few-layer in the case of 0.01∼0.03 mol L(-1) CTAB of hydrothermal solution and single-layer in the case of 0.05 mol L(-1) CTAB. The GL-MoS2 /G composites prepared with 0.01-0.02 mol·L(-1) of CTAB solution exhibit a higher reversible capacity of 940-1020 mAh g(-1) , a greater cycle stability, and a higher rate capability than other samples. The exceptional electrochemical performance of GL-MoS2 /G composites for reversible Li(+) storage could be attributed to an effective integration of GL-MoS2 sheets and graphene that maximizes the synergistic interaction between them.

Black phosphorus (BP), a star‐shaped two‐dimensional material, has attracted considerable attention owing to its unique chemical and physical properties. BP shows great potential in photocatalysis area because of its excellent optical properties; however, its applications in this field have been limited to date. Now, a Z‐scheme heterojunction of 2D/2D BP/monolayer Bi2WO6 (MBWO) is fabricated by a simple and effective method. The BP/MBWO heterojunction exhibits enhanced photocatalytic performance in photocatalytic water splitting to produce H2 and NO removal to purify air; the highest H2 evolution rate of BP/MBWO is 21042 μmol g−1, is 9.15 times that of pristine MBWO and the NO removal ratio was as high as 67 %. A Z‐scheme photocatalytic mechanism is proposed based on monitoring of .O2−, .OH, NO2, and NO3− species in the reaction. This work broadens applications of BP and highlights its promise in the treatment of environmental pollution and renewable energy issues.

Easy to hollow: A hollow porous Si nanocomposite with Ag nanoparticles (NPs) is prepared (see scheme; PS=polystyrene, HP=hollow porous). The free volume in the HPSi structure effectively cushioned the volume change in Li–Si alloying and de‐alloying reactions, giving an impressive performance as a high‐capacity anode for lithium‐ion batteries.

Graphene-encapsulated ordered aggregates of Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles with nearly spherical geometry and hollow interior were synthesized by a simple self-assembly process. The open interior structure adapts well to the volume change in repetitive Li(+) insertion and extraction reactions; and the encapsulating graphene connects the Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles electrically. The structure and morphology of the graphene-Fe(3)O(4) composite were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission microscopy. The electrochemical performance of the composite for reversible Li(+) storage was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and constant current charging and discharging. The results showed a high and nearly unvarying specific capacity for 50 cycles. Furthermore, even after 90 cycles of charge and discharge at different current densities, about 92% of the initial capacity at 100 mA g(-1) was still recoverable, indicating excellent cycle stability. The graphene-Fe(3)O(4) composite is therefore a capable Li(+) host with high capacity that can be cycled at high rates with good cycle life. The unique combination of graphene encapsulation and a hollow porous structure definitely contributed to this versatile electrochemical performance.