Boosting Undergraduate Research Skill through Synthesis and Catalytic Applications of Two-Dimensional MoS₂ in Selective Hydrogenation of Maleic Anhydride

The essence of university courses lies in their scientific rigor, while the joy of learning serves as a motivating force. With this in mind, a comparative experiment was designed to investigate the catalytic role of phase configurations of two-dimensional MoS2 (2D MoS2) in maleic anhydride (MAH) selective hydrogenation to succinic anhydride (SA). This experiment was tailored for senior undergraduates majoring in energy, materials science, and chemical engineering. Through the analysis of hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), Raman, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) data, the students thoroughly explored the structural information and chemical properties of synthesized 2D MoS2. The characterization and kinetic results revealed a linear relationship between the specific reaction rate and the concentration of 1T-MoS2, affirming the superior intrinsic activity of 1T-MoS2 for MAH selective hydrogenation to SA. Following this comparative laboratory experiment, the students gained insight into the principles and processes of selective hydrogenation, learned about catalyst preparation and characterization methods, and developed scientific thinking skills for solving practical problems. Our comprehensive experiments are instrumental in enhancing students’ experimental skills and their ability to tackle practical problems using interdisciplinary knowledge.