Meticulous surface engineering of layered structures toward new functionalities is a demanding challenge to the scientific community.Here, we introduce defects on varied MoS 2 surfaces by suitable doping of nitrogen atoms in a sulfur-rich reaction environment, resulting in stable and scalable phase conversion. The experimental characterizations along with the theoretical calculations within the framework of density functional theory establish the impact of nitrogen doping on stabilization of defects and reconstruction of the 2H to 1T phase. The as-synthesized MoS 2 samples exhibit excellent dye removal capacity in the dark, facilitated by a synergistic effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and adsorption. Positron annihilation spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance studies substantiate the role of defects and associated sulfur vacancies toward ROS generation in the dark. Further, on the basis of its ample ROS generation in the dark and in the light, the commendable antimicrobial activity of the prepared MoS 2 samples against fungal pathogen Alternaria alternata has been demonstrated. Thus, the present study opens up a futuristic avenue to develop newer functional materials through defect engineering by suitable dopants toward superior performances in environment issues.

Engineering of pristine low dimensional materials towards society-needed functionalities is the driving force to cultivate the field of nano-bio research. Here, molybdenum disulphide structure has been ornamented with nitrogen as...

Metal oxide nanoparticles are one of the most important categories of nanomaterials. Increasing use of metal oxide nanoparticles necessitates an improved understanding of their potential impact on human health. We demonstrated that silica(SiO2) coated magnetic transitional metal oxides (α‐Fe2O3, NiO, Co3O4) nanoparticles were facilely synthesized through wet chemical methods. Structural, morphological and compositional details of these nanoparticles have been investigated. Optical absorption study was also carried out to compare the bare and silica coated metal oxide nanoparticles. Magnetic measurement of these three silica coated metal oxide samples reveals their ferromagnetic behavior. The biocompatibility of nanoparticles is the prerequisite for their applications in biomedicine, but can be misleading due to toxicity of these nanomaterials. Cytotoxicity was evaluated for these materials via Cell culture, MTT (3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐tetrazolium bromide) assay in human normal embryonic kidney cell line (HEK‐293) and human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF‐7) which shows its non‐toxicity towards HEK‐293 and the effectiveness of the sample towards the destruction of MCF‐7. Measurements of nanoparticles treated cells by morphological assessment assay demonstrate that these nanomaterials exhibit excellent cellular viability. Thus, silica coated magnetic metal oxide nanomaterials appear to be a new roadmap in the search of biocompatible resources for medical applications.

In the past decade, the surge in research of layered metal dichalcogenides (LMDs) has already demonstrated the tremendous potentiality of this particular category of materials towards technology. But in parallel, it is also established that to make them technology-perfect meticulous engineering to impose ‘imperfections’ within the materials is inevitable. So exploring different LMD with inexorable and appropriate engineering techniques for the enhancement of their functionality is the burning issue for materials scientists. This review comprehensively focuses on different pathways of introducing ‘imperfections’ within various LMDs, mainly by engineering the thickness, morphology, defect, doping and phase. Based on recent progress thickness and shape engineering of LMDs have been discussed with their success and modulation by defect has been examined in detail. Doping and phase engineering of LMDs have also been illustrated with the light of development till now. Finally, challenges and opportunities associated with this research direction are highlighted.