Herein, we report
cellulose-based threads from Indian sacred Lotus
(
Nelumbo nucifera
) of the Nymphaceae family embellished
with MoS
2
nanosheets for its enhanced hydrophobic and antimicrobial
properties. MoS
2
nanosheets synthesized by a coprecipitation
method using sodium molybdate dihydrate (Na
2
MoO
4
·2H
2
O) and thioacetamide (CH
3
CSNH
2
) were used as a sourse for MoS
2
particle growth
with cellulose threads extracted from lotus peduncles. The size, crystallinity,
and morphology of pure and MoS
2
-coated fibers were studied
using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy
(SEM). the XRD pattern of pure lotus threads showed a semicrystalline
nature, and the threads@MoS
2
composite showed more crystallinity
than the pure threads. SEM depicts that pure lotus threads possess
a smooth surface, and the MoS
2
nanosheets growth can be
easily identified on the threads@MoS
2
. Further, the presence
of MoS
2
nanosheets on threads was confirmed with EDX elemental
analysis. Antimicrobial studies with
Escherichia coli
and
Candida albicans
reveal that threads@MoS
2
have better resistance than its counterpart, i.e., pure threads.
MoS
2
sheets play a predominant role in restricting the
wicking capability of the pure threads due to their enhanced hydrophobic
property. The water absorbency assay denotes the absorption rate of
threads@MoS
2
to 80%, and threads@MoS
2
shows
no penetration for the observed 60 min, thus confirming its wicking
restriction. The contact angle for threads@MoS
2
is 128°,
indicating its improved hydrophobicity.