Covalent Bisfunctionalization of Two-Dimensional Molybdenum Disulfide

Defect-Rich Metastable MoS2 Promotes Macrophage Reprogramming in Breast Cancer: A Clinical Perspective

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a crucial function in solid tumor antigen clearance and immune suppression. Notably, 2D transitional metal dichalcogenides (i.e., molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanozymes) with enzyme-like activity are demonstrated in animal models for cancer immunotherapy. However, in situ engineering of TAMs polarization through sufficient accumulation of free radical reactive oxygen species for immunotherapy in clinical samples remains a significant challenge. In this study, defect-rich metastable MoS2 nanozymes, i.e., 1T2H-MoS2, are designed via reduction and phase transformation in molten sodium as a guided treatment for human breast cancer. The as-prepared 1T2H-MoS2 exhibited enhanced peroxidase-like activity (≈12-fold enhancement) than that of commercial MoS2, which is attributed to the charge redistribution and electronic state induced by the abundance of S vacancies. The 1T2H-MoS2 nanozyme can function as an extracellular hydroxyl radical generator, efficiently repolarizing TAMs into the M1-like phenotype and directly killing cancer cells. Moreover, the clinical feasibility of 1T2H-MoS2 is demonstrated via ex vivo therapeutic responses in human breast cancer samples. The apoptosis rate of cancer cells is 3.4 times greater than that of cells treated with chemotherapeutic drugs (i.e., doxorubicin).

Characterization of emerging 2D materials after chemical functionalization

The chemical modification of 2D materials has proven a powerful tool to fine tune their properties. With this motivation, the development of new reactions has moved extremely fast. The need for speed, together with the intrinsic heterogeneity of the samples, has sometimes led to permissiveness in the purification and characterization protocols. In this review, we present the main tools available for the chemical characterization of functionalized 2D materials, and the information that can be derived from each of them. We then describe examples of chemical modification of 2D materials other than graphene, focusing on the chemical description of the products. We have intentionally selected examples where an above-average characterization effort has been carried out, yet we find some cases where further information would have been welcome. Our aim is to bring together the toolbox of techniques and practical examples on how to use them, to serve as guidelines for the full characterization of covalently modified 2D materials.

Clicking beyond suspensions: understanding thiol-ene chemistry on solid-supported MoS2

Molecular functionalization of MoS2 has attracted a lot of attention due to its potential to afford fine-tuned hybrid materials that benefit from the power of synthetic chemistry and molecular design. Here, we report on the on-surface reaction of maleimides on bulk and molecular beam epitaxy grown single-layer MoS2, both in ambient conditions as well as ultrahigh vacuum using scanning probe microscopy.

Rational Design of Stimuli-Responsive Inorganic 2D Materials via Molecular Engineering: Toward Molecule-Programmable Nanoelectronics

The ability of electronic devices to act as switches makes digital information processing possible. Succeeding graphene, emerging inorganic 2D materials (i2DMs) have been identified as alternative 2D materials to harbor a variety of active molecular components to move the current silicon-based semiconductor technology forward to a post-Moore era focused on molecule-based information processing components. In this regard, i2DMs benefits are not only for their prominent physiochemical properties (e.g., the existence of bandgap), but also for their high surface-to-volume ratio rich in reactive sites. Nonetheless, since this field is still in an early stage, having knowledge of both i) the different strategies for molecularly functionalizing the current library of i2DMs, and ii) the different types of active molecular components is a sine qua non condition for a rational design of stimuli-responsive i2DMs capable of performing logical operations at the molecular level. Consequently, this Review provides a comprehensive tutorial for covalently anchoring ad hoc molecular components-as active units triggered by different external inputs-onto pivotal i2DMs to assess their role in the expanding field of molecule-programmable nanoelectronics for electrically monitoring bistable molecular switches. Limitations, challenges, and future perspectives of this emerging field which crosses materials chemistry with computation are critically discussed.

van der Waals 2D transition metal dichalcogenide/organic hybridized heterostructures: recent breakthroughs and emerging prospects of the device

The near-atomic thickness and organic molecular systems, including organic semiconductors and polymer-enabled hybrid heterostructures, of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D-TMDs) can modulate their optoelectronic and transport properties outstandingly. In this review, the current understanding and mechanism of the most recent and significant breakthrough of novel interlayer exciton emission and its modulation by harnessing the band energy alignment between TMDs and organic semiconductors in a TMD/organic (TMDO) hybrid heterostructure are demonstrated. The review encompasses up-to-date device demonstrations, including field-effect transistors, detectors, phototransistors, and photo-switchable superlattices. An exploration of distinct traits in 2D-TMDs and organic semiconductors delves into the applications of TMDO hybrid heterostructures. This review provides insights into the synthesis of 2D-TMDs and organic layers, covering fabrication techniques and challenges. Band bending and charge transfer via band energy alignment are explored from both structural and molecular orbital perspectives. The progress in emission modulation, including charge transfer, energy transfer, doping, defect healing, and phase engineering, is presented. The recent advancements in 2D-TMDO-based optoelectronic synaptic devices, including various 2D-TMDs and organic materials for neuromorphic applications are discussed. The section assesses their compatibility for synaptic devices, revisits the operating principles, and highlights the recent device demonstrations. Existing challenges and potential solutions are discussed. Finally, the review concludes by outlining the current challenges that span from synthesis intricacies to device applications, and by offering an outlook on the evolving field of emerging TMDO heterostructures.

Interfacial Coordinational Bond Triggered Photoreduction Membrane for Continuous Light-Driven Precious Metals Recovery

Chemical/electric energy-driven processes dominate the traditional precious metal (PM) recovery market. The renewable energy-driven selective PM recycling approach crucial for carbon neutrality is under exploration. Herein, via an interfacial structure engineering approach, coordinational-active pyridine groups are covalently integrated onto the photoactive semiconductor SnS₂ surface to construct Py-SnS₂. Triggered by the preferred coordinational binding force between PMs and pyridine groups, together with the photoreduction capability of SnS₂, Py-SnS₂ shows significantly enhanced selective PM-capturing performance toward Au³⁺, Pd⁴⁺, and Pt⁴⁺ with recycling capacity up to 1769.84, 1103.72, and 617.61 mg/g for Au³⁺, Pd⁴⁺, and Pt⁴⁺, respectively. Further integrating the Py-SnS₂ membrane into a homemade light-driven flow cell, 96.3% recovery efficiency was achieved for continuous Au recycling from a computer processing unit (CPU) leachate. This study reported a novel strategy to fabricate coordinational bonds triggered photoreductive membranes for continuous PM recovery, which could be expanded to other photocatalysts for broad environmental applications.

The Covalent Functionalization of Surface-Supported Graphene: An Update

In the last decade, the use of graphene supported on solid surfaces has broadened its scope and applications, and graphene has acquire a promising role as a major component of high-performance electronic devices. In this context, the chemical modification of graphene has become essential. In particular, covalent modification offers key benefits, including controllability, stability, and the facility to be integrated into manufacturing operations. In this Review, we critically comment on the latest advances in the covalent modification of supported graphene on substrates. We analyze the different chemical modifications with special attention to radical reactions. In this context, we review the latest achievements in reactivity control, tailoring electronic properties, and introducing active functionalities. Finally, we extended our analysis to other emerging 2D materials supported on surfaces, such as transition metal dichalcogenides, transition metal oxides, and elemental analogs of graphene.

Molybdenum Diselenide and Tungsten Diselenide Interfacing Cobalt-Porphyrin for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline and Acidic Media

Easy and effective modification approaches for transition metal dichalcogenides are highly desired in order to make them active toward electrocatalysis. In this manner, we report functionalized molybdenum diselenide (MoSe₂) and tungsten diselenide (WSe₂) via metal-ligand coordination with pyridine rings for the subsequent covalent grafting of a cobalt-porphyrin. The new hybrid materials were tested towards an electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction in both acidic and alkaline media and showed enhanced activity compared to intact MoSe₂ and WSe₂. Hybrids exhibited lower overpotential, easier reaction kinetics, higher conductivity, and excellent stability after 10,000 ongoing cycles in acidic and alkaline electrolytes compared to MoSe₂ and WSe₂. Markedly, MoSe₂-based hybrid material showed the best performance and marked a significantly low onset potential of -0.17 V vs RHE for acidic hydrogen evolution reaction. All in all, the ease and fast modification route provides a versatile functionalization procedure, extendable to other transition metal dichalcogenides, and can open new pathways for the realization of functional nanomaterials suitable in electrocatalysis.

Synthesis of Surface-Functionalized Molybdenum Disulfide Nanomaterials for Efficient Adsorption and Deep Profiling of the Human Plasma Proteome by Data-Independent Acquisition

Blood is one of the most important clinical samples for protein biomarker discovery, as it provides rich physiological and pathological information and is easy to obtain with low invasiveness. However, the discovery of protein biomarkers in the blood by mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic strategies has been shown to be highly challenging due to the particularly large concentration range of proteins and the strong interference by the high-abundant proteins in the blood. Therefore, developing sensitive methods for low-abundant biomarker protein identification is a key issue that has received great attention. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of surface-functionalized magnetic molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) for the large-scale adsorption of low-abundant plasma proteins and deep profiling by MS. MoS₂ nanomaterials resulted in the coverage of more than 3400 proteins (including a single-peptide hit) in a single LC-MS analysis without peptide prefractionation using pooled plasma samples, which were five times more than those obtained by the direct analysis of the plasma proteome. A detection limit in the low ng L^-1 range was obtained, which is rare compared with previous reports.

Recent Progress in Phase Regulation, Functionalization, and Biosensing Applications of Polyphase MoS2

The disulfide compounds of molybdenum (MoS₂ ) are layered van der Waals materials that exhibit a rich array of polymorphic structures. MoS₂ can be roughly divided into semiconductive phase and metallic phase according to the difference in electron filling state of the 4d orbital of Mo atom. The two phases show completely different properties, leading to their diverse applications in biosensors. But to some extent, they compensate for each other. This review first introduces the relationship between phase state and the chemical/physical structures and properties of MoS₂ . Furthermore, the synthetic methods are summarized and the preparation strategies for metastable phases are highlighted. In addition, examples of electronic and chemical property designs of MoS₂ by means of doping and surface modification are outlined. Finally, studies on biosensors based on MoS₂ in recent years are presented and classified, and the roles of MoS₂ with different phases are highlighted. This review offers references for the selection of materials to construct different types of biosensors based on MoS₂ , and provides inspiration for sensing performance enhancement.

Laser-Triggered Bottom-Up Transcription of Chemical Information: Toward Patterned Graphene/MoS2 Heterostructures

Efficiently assembling heterostructures with desired interface properties, stability, and facile patternability is challenging yet crucial to modern device fabrication. Here, we demonstrate an interface coupling concept to bottom-up construct covalently linked graphene/MoS₂ heterostructures in a spatially defined manner. The covalent heterostructure domains are selectively created in analogy to the traditional printmaking technique, enabling graphic patterns at the bottom MoS₂ layer to be precisely transferred to the top graphene layer. This bottom-up connection and transcription of chemical information is achieved simply via laser beam irradiation. Our approach opens up a new paradigm for heterostructure construction and integration. It enables the efficient generation and real-time visualization of spatially well-resolved covalent graphene/MoS₂ heterostructures, facilitating further design and integration of patterned heterostructures into new generations of high-performance devices.

Covalent Patterning of 2D MoS2

The development of an efficient method to patterning 2D MoS₂ into a desired topographic structure is of particular importance to bridge the way towards the ultimate device. Herein, we demonstrate a patterning strategy by combining the electron beam lithography with the surface covalent functionalization. This strategy allows us to generate delicate MoS₂ ribbon patterns with a minimum feature size of 2 μm in a high throughput rate. The patterned monolayer MoS₂ domain consists of a spatially well‐defined heterophase homojunction and alternately distributed surface characteristics, which holds great interest for further exploration of MoS₂ based devices.

Covalent Bisfunctionalization of Two-Dimensional Molybdenum Disulfide

Covalent functionalization of two‐dimensional molybdenum disulfide (2D MoS₂) holds great promise in developing robust organic‐MoS₂ hybrid structures. Herein, for the first time, we demonstrate an approach to building up a bisfunctionalized MoS₂ hybrid structure through successively reacting activated MoS₂ with alkyl iodide and aryl diazonium salts. This approach can be utilized to modify both colloidal and substrate supported MoS₂ nanosheets. We have discovered that compared to the adducts formed through the reactions of MoS₂ with diazonium salts, those formed through the reactions of MoS₂ with alkyl iodides display higher reactivity towards further reactions with electrophiles. We are convinced that our systematic study on the formation and reactivity of covalently functionalized MoS₂ hybrids will provide some practical guidance on multi‐angle tailoring of the properties of 2D MoS₂ for various potential applications.