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Title: Photo-oxidation method using MoS2 nanocluster materials

Patent ·
OSTI ID:873777

A method of photo-oxidizing a hydrocarbon compound is provided by dispersing MoS.sub.2 nanoclusters in a solvent containing a hydrocarbon compound contaminant to form a stable solution mixture and irradiating the mixture to photo-oxide the hydrocarbon compound. Hydrocarbon compounds of interest include aromatic hydrocarbon and chlorinated hydrocarbons. MoS.sub.2 nanoclusters with an average diameter less than approximately 10 nanometers are shown to be effective in decomposing potentially toxic aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as phenol, pentachlorophenol, chlorinated biphenols, and chloroform, into relatively non-toxic compounds. The irradiation can occur by exposing the MoS.sub.2 nanoclusters and hydrocarbon compound mixture with visible light. The MoS.sub.2 nanoclusters can be introduced to the toxic hydrocarbons as either a MoS.sub.2 solution or deposited on a support material.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
Patent Number(s):
US 6245200
OSTI ID:
873777
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (3)

Synthesis and optical properties of MoS2 and isomorphous nanoclusters in the quantum confinement regime journal June 1997
A decade of heterogeneous photocatalysis in our laboratory: Pure and applied studies in energy production and environmental detoxification journal January 1994
Photooxidation of Organic Chemicals Catalyzed by Nanoscale MoS2 journal January 1999