MoS₂ Decorated 3D Graphene Aerogel as a Microwave Catalyst for the Ultrafast Breakdown of Organic Dyes

The effective, ultrafast, and complete removal of persistent and potentially toxic aromatic dyes continues to be a substantial challenge for the remediation of wastewater. Harnessing the unique adsorption capacity and catalytic activity of aerogels as microwave catalysts for the ultrafast degradation of organic contaminants in wastewater is on the rise. Herein, a MoS2 decorated three-dimensional (3D) reduced graphene oxide aerogel (MoS2-rGOA) that supported the ultrafast breakdown of methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV) dyes under microwave irradiation is reported. The heterostructure of MoS2-rGOA showed ultrafast and high microwave catalytic degradation of MB (97% in 8 min) and CV (94% in 10 min) dyes. The mechanistic features of the microwave catalytic dye degradation pathway assisted by MoS2-rGOA, radical-trapping experiments, and optimized temperature, microwave power, and time are analyzed. Further, MoS2-rGOA shows impressive efficacy in recycling and reuse, boasting both strong structural integrity and chemical stability. Its swift removal capabilities, ability to be recycled and reused, and cost-effectiveness showcase significant promise for widespread environmental cleanup in practical wastewater scenarios, a critical advancement in the field.